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I had imagined them waiting on the porch.
Instead, funeral flowers covered our yard. FindGrief Counseling
A black ribbon hung from the gate.
And Clara’s photograph stood beside a casket in our living room.
My mother, Teresa, rushed toward me crying.
“You’re too late, Alex. Clara died almost three days ago.”
I could barely process her words.
“Why didn’t anyone contact me?”
“Your supervisor said your assignment couldn’t be interrupted.”
My aunt Beatrice, who owned the local funeral home, immediately urged everyone to leave for the cemetery. FindGrief Counseling
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“Clara had been struggling emotionally,” she said. “Dragging this out will only damage her reputation.”
Before I could respond, my father Arthur slammed his left fist against his wheelchair.
A stroke had taken most of his speech and movement, but his mind remained sharp.
He pointed desperately toward the third floor.
Then Lily tore free from her grandmother.
“Grandma is lying!” she cried. “Uncle Derek broke Mommy’s door! Mommy screamed, and Grandma took her phone! They locked us inside!” StartBaby Registry
My brother Derek turned pale.
