OUTSIDE, HELEN AND Dan are having a conversation off to the side. Mae is leading Gladys, Martin, Dominic, and Nate, in prayer, obviously taking the lead in helping them process what’s happened. I join them and then, after the Amen, say calmly, “I know this has been an awful experience for you, especially you, Nate. I also know that Mae is better qualified than I am professionally to help you work through this, but I am still around if you need me.”
They murmur their thanks. Helen walks up and announces, “OK, guys, I want to assure all of you that I will do my best to keep things quiet so that you can reopen on Thursday. Does anyone here know anything about Larry’s family situation?”
“He lives with his parents in Hagerstown,” Nate says quietly, the first words he’s said since Helen and I
