“Firefighter John Matthew McCleary—Lehigh County Dispatch.”
The sound of the radio was too loud over the sober masses by the graveside. It raked Hudson’s already raw nerves and made him want to scream. The waiting silence as the dispatcher began John’s last call was worse.
“Firefighter John Matthew McCleary—Lehigh County Dispatch.”
Hud’s hands curled to fists as he stared at the flag-draped coffin on the little dais beneath the tent. He wanted to think his heart couldn’t break any further, but every moment of this funeral shattered it just a little more.
“Having heard no response, we know that Firefighter McCleary has responded to his last call on Earth and that the fire department in the hereafter has a new responder.”
A soft, choked noise came from Rachel as the dispatcher continued
