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I chuckled “Seeht” She fastened the pearl, encrusted with diamonds around her neck

“And this is for the oysters?” she asked Her voice cracked

“Yes, so you don’t forget the first”

“Knight…”

I kissed her cheek

And then I stood up and walked out of the bar I heard her calloutside for me

“Sir, we’re going to be cutting it close You could ainst the hood of the car

“Just fucking drive,” I ordered

Part II

Five Years Later

15

Knight

The lilies stunk It was a putrid scent that wafted in and out of every roo flowers The emerald wallpaper was dated, and the mauve carpet didn’t help I scowled at Paul Was this the best he could do forout of a bad 80s movie I was furious ere here Furious it had been rushed Furious at the damn florist

My mother pressed an e on her black veil kept snagging on her wedding ring “I still can’t believe I’h this if you weren’t here” She said it loud enough for everyone to hear

She was a strong woman She always had been I wasn’t sure I could trust that she was faltering now But maybe death had affected her