The dawn broke across the fields, a sight I never grew tired of experiencing. I approached the lavender with hesitant excitement. I placed the urn on the table and undid the lid. The last knot of grief unwound from my heart, and a lightheaded joy washed over me. In my mind’s eye, I saw him whisking my mother across the wooden floors of the family room, and heard the piano.
Play the keys, Law. It’s time.
Garbi stood there, leaning on one crutch. He’d not mastered two, and I wondered how he’d gotten downstairs. “Now,” he said and jerked his chin at the lavender fields.
Nodding, I took the open vase and ran. At first, the breeze resisted. I ran faster and the wind yielded, offered its invisible hands, and took the ashes away and up into its embrace. When it was over, I clutched the urn to
