Your mother asked us not to upset you.
"Did he suffer?"
"From what I've been told, it happened quickly."
"Did he ask for me?"
"I don't know, Nora."
I left, clutching the envelope.
I needed answers. And this time, I wasn't leaving without them.
I was wrong.
***
Forty minutes later, I pulled into Mom's driveway.
Paige's car was there. So was Dean's.
Through the window, I saw balloons.
My family had apparently found time to celebrate my recovery. They just hadn't found time to tell me Dad was buried.
I opened the door.
I needed answers.
"Surprise!"
Mom stood beside a cake.
Paige held champagne.
Dean was arranging plates.
I dropped the letter onto the table. "Is Dad dead?"
Their smiles vanished.
"Yes," Mom whispered.
Surprise!
"You buried him without telling me?"
"We were protecting you!"
