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

His face had gone the same shade as the hallway wall.

“Put her back in,” he said.

I tightened my hold on Chloe.

“She isn’t going back in that box.”

“Put her back in the frame, Mom.

Before anybody sees.” He pulled at his watch strap, once, then twice.

He held out both hands as if I were carrying something that might break.

“You don’t get it.