“No, thank you,” I said.

“I’m waiting for the lawyer and the pastor.”

He nodded and pulled the heavy solid wood door shut against the main hallway.

The door was thick enough to muffle the organ practicing in the main chapel.

I had on my scratchy black dress.

The black leather purse lay flat on my lap.

My hands rested firmly on its brass clasp.

The clock on the wall ticked loudly in the empty room.