Three Days Before the Casket Was Delivered, My Son Asked Me to Sign a Document

I told myself it was empty.

That was the only way I could cross the rug.

I set Bunny on the sofa cushion and walked toward it.

The cream silk padding inside was smooth.

A black wool shawl lay bunched up at the foot of it, the way a child kicks off a blanket.

The shawl stirred.

I froze.

In the kitchen, the refrigerator clicked off.