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I pointed people out, na a little so about everyone
"Tonya seems tense" Samuel indicated with his head to where Ricky, Jacob’s oldest, was chasing Matty around Tonya’s chair Tonya’s four-year-old Bailey was sitting on her lap, shrieking with excitehed a little as Tonya let out a panicked "Jaaaarrreeed!"
Just then ere interrupted by Ryan, Jacob’s six-year-old, hollering froot cohtly colored heliu lifted into the air Trailing behind him were Kasey’s parents, Brett and Lorraine Judd Lorraine, bless her pea-pickin’ heart, was carrying a huge, triple-layer, chocolate cake
"Happy birthday, Josie!" Lorraine sang out I ran to greet the in return
"I know chocolate cake is your favorite…I hope you haven’t eaten dessert already!" Lorraine said brightly
"Oh, Lorraine, I love you," I breathed, euphoric "I’et devoured I’hed with me and looped her arm around my waist as I took the cake from her hands and passed it off to Rachel with explicit instructions to "keep it away fro to swing by the beauty shop, but just haven’t had aup, clasping Brett’s hand in a guy handshake thing Quick pats on the back in a half hug co
Everyone called out their hellos, and soon Lorraine and Brett were being introduced to Sa up at Samuel "I had you in ood athlete, a heck of a runner I was hoping we’d get you to sign up for track Did you ever end up beco a Marine like you planned?"
"Yes Sir," Samuel replied in answer, and Brett clapped hiood for you"
Lorraine was looking fro akin to hurt in her eyes I perceived the direction of her thoughts and felt a twinge of guilt The guilt was followed by a flash of irritation I hadn’t dated even once since Kasey died; I hadn’t wanted to But Kasey had been gone for ht I had a new boyfriend The thought made me feel a little sick at heart
When Kasey was killed, the shockwaves had echoed throughout the community with unparalleled intensity He was very popular in school and well liked by everyone who knew him The football team had his nu school year, and the football froiven to Coach Judd in his name
The Levan church was too small to seat the number of people expected at his funeral service His faer church in Nephi where the chapel could be opened up into the gye numbers of people There were no ehout the two hour service The line for his viewing extended all the way out and around the church, lasting for hours I had stood in the line with the fa the endless ridiculous questions and comments of "How are you, Josie?" and "He’s in a better place now" I spent the vieishing the non-stop stream of mourners and syo away
The shock and sorroas enor It had been truly awful Afterwards, every day that I did not grieve for Kasey felt like a betrayal Everyone wanted to keep hirave was always adorned with flowers, little notes from friends, photos, and stuffed animals Even four years later, friends and loved ones visited his grave regularly Kasey was still a priority in his rief very fresh I wondered if it would always be that way I thought of all this as I studied Lorraine’s pretty face She was an attractive blonde in her late forties, but the strain of losing a child had aged her face prematurely, and she had a weariness around her eyes that had not been there before Kasey’s death
"We’ve just been up to Kasey’s grave, Josie," Lorraine said a little too loudly Brett’s conversation with Samuel trailed off aardly "We knew he’d want us to stop by and wish his girl a happy birthday" She patted my arm, but her eyes were on Samuel’s face Samuel looked at me, his face smooth and expressionless He excused hirandparents were visiting with Jacob and Rachel
Lorraine prattled on for another half an hour, staying close to one to talk football withI knehat to say to co to tell if she did, but I was grateful all the sa, telling me she’d be sure and stop by the shop this week I really hoped she wouldn’t and felt guilty all over again
After Brett and Lorraine left,and it didn’t look likeanywhere soon Sheila had fallen asleep in the lawn chair in the shade of the huge aoose Tonya had roped Rachel into conversation about the latest book on child psychology and discipline techniques, and Rachel was holding her sleeping two-year-old son while stillto cross stitch Nettie fanned herself contentedly, and Sa included in the debate about the new football season