gray and cold, a fitting backdr

e one I wore to weddings

black dress. Her eyes were red-rimmed, but whether fro

f store-bought carnations from the table

ded, unabl

ry in our old, rattling car. The si

with some teachers and our elderly neighbor, Mrs. Henderson, wh

t sat above the open gr

the minister's words. My gaze kept drifti

e ground, Jessica stepped forward, pla

stand beside me,

er pho

of annoyance on her face before

ression changed. A flicker of concern

y from the graveside, moving towards he

, a cold drea

"What? A terrible migraine? Is he okay? Oh, th

hurried back, not to

ke. Ethan called. He's really sick.

ven look at

voice a hoarse whisper. "

eds me," she said, already opening

ne, and in her haste to leav

tiful arrangement of flowers Mrs. Henderson h

ooms were crush

e just sped off, leaving me st

s burial for her lo

asual cruelty, hit me har

they lowered Alex's c

e from my legs. The gray sky seemed

. Gone. And I w