Never had he seen anything like that before.  Like anyone else, when you see something like that, you ask yourself, why would someone do that? That sweet woman was suffering inside and not one of us took the time to be a shoulder to cry on.  Maria had that type of smile that just lit up the room and she was always wearing it. 

"What would you like me to do now sir," asked Deputy Samuels? 

Please just wait outside for the coroner, I am going to do a quick search around the house and see if there is anything else needing found.

The Steven's home was very warm and it gave you that feeling of comfort that everyone wished upon.  Maria was so precise about everything she did, where to place things, when to have dinner ready and so on.  I know these things because her late husband Jim used to be my right hand man. 

When I lost my wife Liz to breast cancer, Maria and Jim had invited me over for dinner at least four times a week and I never missed her cooking.  I became very close to Maria throughout that point in my life.  Though, the day that Jim was in a terrible car accident and I found him at the scene, that was the day I lost touch with my friendship with Maria.  I was so close to Jim that I felt like I was losing another Liz and I couldnt bear to ever have that happen again.  Maria needed me as a friend and I wasn't there for her.  Now, I have to bury another loved one beause I wasn't there.

Deputy Samuel's stood outside waiting for the coroner so Matt could have a minute to himself.  He knew how close that family was to him.  There has been a great deal of suffering going on in the Sheriff's life and Jeffery knew this was going to be the biggest hurdle yet for Matt.  If there is one thing I have learned as being a deputy, it would be you have to learn to place these tragic events you see so much of in the back of your mind, so when speed bumps come along in your own personal life, you can manage to get out of bed.  The strength that Matt has, losing so many dear to him and still having the courage to smile and come to work everyday and Maria, who lost the love of her life and never once have I seen a frown upon her glowing face. 

Jeffery stood there shaking his head in amazement as he watched the coroner pull up and get out of the van.  "I sure hope Matt's ready for this," he questioned in his head.