Past Forward Volume 1 Read Online Free PDF Page A

impression that Mother agreed that a
lavish funeral was distasteful.”
    Now they were getting somewhere. “Do you
have an opinion on cremation vs. burial?”
    “I don’t know. I think I’m more familiar
with burial.” She pulled another of the decorated manila envelopes
from her tote bag. “I think I’d rather you look this over instead
of Mr. Jorgensen. He seems nice, but you’re a friend—” Willow
stumbled over her words. “—or as near to one as I have.”
    William Franklin took the packet and
squeezed her hand as he did. “I’m a friend, Willow. I’m honored
that you would trust me with this.” He paused and added, “Since I’m
a friend, and we’re both adults, you should call me Bill. Everyone
else does.”
    “Bill. Mother called you William.”
    “She was always a little formal that way,”
he agreed.
    He pulled a few handwritten letters from the
packet. There were addressed envelopes in it and letters for each.
They all said very similar things. Kari had died, the funeral
wasn’t decided as of yet, but if they wanted to come they could
call the funeral home for information etc. However, the letter to
Kari’s parents was different. He read it interestedly.
    “ Dear Grandmother and
Grandfather Finley,
    I write today to tell you that Mother has
died. I know that she would want me to tell you as soon as possible
in case you wished to say goodbye in person. There will be a
funeral, but I do not know yet when or where. Please contact the
Fairbury Mortuary for further information. I believe James
Jorgensen is the man in charge.
    I know that Mother’s disappearance and
continued absence from your life must have hurt you a great deal. I
am sorry for that, and I know it hurt Mother as well. However, I do
hope that we can begin a regular correspondence. I would like to
know that I do have some family—that I am not completely alone in
the world. That must sound incredibly selfish, but it is true. I
feel rather small and lost right now. Sometimes I think I’ll wake
up and realize that this isn’t a terrible dream—that this is
reality. Then I am afraid.
    Most sincerely,
    Your granddaughter,
    Willow Anne Finley
    Bill had never read anything so heart
wrenching. “Oh Willow—” His words were cut short when he saw the
address on the envelope. “Rockland? Your grandparents live in
Rockland?”
    “I believe that most of my family does.
There is an address for Chicago, but the rest are in Rockland or
one of the other towns around the loop.”
    Unable to fathom Kari’s reasoning, Bill
couldn’t help but ask, “Why? Why did she keep herself shut
away?”
    “Do you know the circumstances of my birth?”
When he shook his head, she continued. “She was raped and the
father of the man who attacked her paid her to stay out of their
lives and not to go to the police. Mother accepted those terms by
her definition, and knowing the pressure she’d be under by family
and friends, she just disappeared.”
    Bill couldn’t answer. Before he found any
words with which to reply, a gentle knock sounded on the door and
James opened it cautiously. “Are we ready? I have another family
coming in at eleven-thirty and—”
    “We’re ready. We need to plan for a burial
preferably on Saturday or Monday. Whichever the local minister can
accommodate will do.”
    James stood again. “Let’s go take a look at
your coffin options then.”
    Bill placed his hand gently but firmly on
Willow’s arm keeping her in her seat. “That won’t be necessary. She
has decided on the most basic coffin you carry.”
    James pulled a brochure out of his desk
drawer, pushed it across the table, and began explaining the
options as well as the advantages and disadvantages to each, but
Bill stopped him. “I see. We’ll have to go to Rockland then. I know
that much less elaborate coffins are available there, and Miss
Finley does not want an extravagant set up.”
    Blustering a bit, James pulled out another
brochure. “I don’t like