As Bonnie kissed Sam, she wanted nothing more than to leave Island Park. Put it in her rearview mirror and never come back. But she still had a funeral luncheon to attend and dozens of meals to pack up and put in her mother’s freezer. They’d all be thrown away eventually, but Bonnie would put on a sunny smile and infuse as much gratitude into her voice as she could. She’d tell people she was fine, when really her entire reality had changed.
She knew death did that. It changed a person. Altered the course of their life. After all, one could not simply go on as they were after someone they loved departed.
So she went back to the church with Sam. Accepted the condolences. Kept a watchful eye on her mother. Left as soon as she was able, Sam at her side. Sam always at her side, except for tho
