Grandma's funeral was a grand affair. Mom told me Grandma had been a teacher whose former students were scattered far and wide, and many of them were excellent. On the day of Grandma's funeral, they all came.
Mom stood alone in her black mourning dress, greeting every guest. Dad did not come. It all started that morning, when Elara grabbed her swollen belly and whined that she was in pain.
After hemming and hawing for a long time, Dad ended up driving Elara to the hospital. He even told Mom not to worry, adding that he would be back as soon as the doctor checked her out.
But I did not want him here anyway. He did not deserve to mourn Grandma.
Mom worked hard the whole day, seeing every last guest off. After Grandma was laid to rest next to Grandpa, Mom's face drained of color, and her
