I finished my whole plate of salmon filet with potato salad in no time, without realizing that neither Paula nor Derren had touched theirs. Only hours ago we’d left the funeral in Jamaica Plain. Paula, Derren, Corin, and I were the only ones attending the short ceremony.
“How about dessert?” offered Corin.
“Sure,” responded Derren, and he nodded to Paula. Corin picked her plate up along with mine. Derren stacked his on Paula’s. I waited for the hammer to drop on me. Time seemed to stand still until Paula spoke.
“Jessie…there is something I need to talk to you about.” My breathing stopped.
“The Department for Child and Family Services contacted us.”
My mouth dried up.
“As your only living relatives, they propose…”
My fingers dug into the fabric of the chair cushion.
Paula pulled her
