Daniel’s hand landed on my shoulder, steady. After that, everything felt like a fever dream.
The funeral happened because Daniel made it happen. My sister, Mia, answered the door, stacked the casseroles, and kept telling me, « Just breathe. »
Daniel looked up from his laptop too fast.
Daniel signed forms. Daniel spoke to the hospital. Daniel told me, « Don’t worry. I have it. »
At that moment, I couldn’t even fathom dealing with any of that.
A week after the funeral, the hospital called.
A clerk named Tessa said, « We still have Grace’s belongings. Her clothes. You can pick them up. »
Daniel looked up from his laptop too fast. « I can get them, » he said.
Then he paused. « Actually, maybe you should. For closure. »
At home, I went into Grace’s room and shut the door.
