Leander discovered the strength to make it through the days, his grief and depression masked by duty and discretion. The evenings were his to grieve and grovel in his sorrow. Before he knew it, the week was over. He officiated the joint funerals of the brother and sister who died in Emil’s arms. The fire inspectors came and completed their investigation.
With the help of the council, Mrs. Dawson planned a modest memorial service for Emil. They couldn’t have an open casket since the body had been burned. He offered a few pictures to be placed upon display. A couple of the church women created beautiful portraits of his likeness using the pictures. One featured Emil completing some construction project around the church, sleeveless undershirt and all. It was exactly as Leander remembered hi
