Chapter 18 - One Year
The first anniversary of Daniel’s death came quietly.
Clara refused a public memorial.
She and Lily went to the cemetery.
Evelyn joined them.
No Grant.
He had asked whether he should come.
Evelyn told him to ask Clara.
Clara said not this year.
Boundary.
Not punishment.
They brought no flowers at first.
Lily wanted pancakes.
“Dad liked breakfast.”
So they ate pancakes at a diner before the cemetery.
Then Lily brought one small white daisy.
At the grave, she stood silently.
Clara expected her to cry.
She didn’t.
She touched the stone.
“Hi, Dad.”
Then talked about school.
A spelling test.
A girl named Tasha who cheated at kickball.
A science project.
Ordinary life.
Clara cried while laughing.
Before they left, Lily placed her hand on the stone.
Not desperate like at the casket.
Just resting.
Then lifted it herself.
Ready.
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Not final goodbye.
Just goodbye for today.
