My Husband Said the Funeral Van Would Take Me to a Clinic—Then a Loose White Cord Gave Me a Chance to Get Out

He did not ask me to tell it faster or make it sound more certain.

I described the middle seat, passing the hospital turn, Clara putting the cord around my ankle, and being placed in the casket.

“Did you see the lid fastened?”

“No.

I heard it.

I was inside.”

“Could you identify who was touching it?”

“I knew David was near me before it came down.