THIRTYJim laid the yellow flowered brittle bush blossoms that Paco had loved onto the coffin next to the roses and chrysanthemums and wide red satin ribbons. As difficult as it was, he was holding himself together. The priest looked around for the other guests. The ones that would never come. Then Jim turned and saw them approaching. It was Chief Irwin, William Washington and his best friend Trick Delgado with his wife Ingrid. They all held flowers, walked over and placed them atop the coffin, nodding silently at Jim. A rainbow of flowers overflowed adding hope and love and acceptance to the sad occasion. They had all come, for him and for Paco. They stood beside him as the priest recited a short, tasteful sermon then stood with them, frozen in the moment, as the coffin was slowly lowered
