Vision of Shadows Read Online Free PDF Page B

the curb, but here…”
    “Dad,” Uncle Mark said. “Stop! I haven’t even mentioned the funeral. Naturally she’d have no idea.” He turned to me. “Bristol, I went by what my brother had laid out in his will. No wake, just a small service, burial, and a gathering afterward. Is that okay with you? We can change it to whatever you like. I was going to ask you later when I had you alone but…” He sent his father a scathing look.
    I shook my head. “No, that sounds fine. I really have no idea what to do for these things. I appreciate you taking care of it for me.”
    “It’s nothing,” he said as he added a touch of cheese. “That’s what family is for.” He flipped the omelet onto a paper plate.
    “Thank you,” I said, “for everything. I wouldn’t even know where to begin. I’ve never even been to a funeral before.”
    “Really?” Grandpa grumbled. “Don’t think there’s another Blackburn over three who can say the same. This may be your first, but I doubt it will be your last, now that you’re home.”
    “Cheery,” I said.
    “It’s about time she got to meet her family,” Grandpa said. “There’s a lot of catching up to do.”
    “Dad, there’s plenty of time for that,” Uncle Mark said. “I’m going to ask only a few people show up. Let’s not overwhelm Bristol. This is a time for mourning. She doesn’t need to meet every great uncle or third cousin on the day she’s burying her parents.”
    “What she doesn’t need,” Grandpa insisted, “is to be coddled like she’s nothing but a little baby. Besides, we’re talking about family. We’re a fun bunch. We’re the cool crowd.”
    Zack and Simon snickered at Grandpa , while Uncle Mark poured himself another cup of coffee. “Yeah, we’re a riot. But I think what Bristol needs is to take things slowly.”
    “Slow is boring,” Grandpa said. “Slow is like getting in the pool one toe at a time. Better off just throwing her off the deep end. She’ll complain more, but she’ll thank you in the end.”
    “Somehow I doubt that,” Uncle Mark replied. “Look, all I’m saying is tomorrow Bristol is not going to be in any shape to deal with meeting a bunch of new people. It’s going to be hard enough for her.”
    “You have no idea what to do with her, do you?” Grandpa asked.
    “What are you talking about?” Uncle Mark asked.
    “Well,” Grandpa continued, “you’re trying really hard to be nice, which of course is your strong suit, but you have no idea how to handle her. After all, she’s a girl.”
    “Thanks for noticing,” I said.
    “Well, that’s what I do .” Grandpa smiled. “My son wants to make you comfortable and thinks someone in our family might make you feel awkward and out of place.”
    “You mean more than you do?” I responded. 
    “Touché,” Grandpa answered. “See, she’s fitting in already.”
    “Dad,” Uncle Mark said . “All I said is that we shouldn’t bombard her with too much stuff right away.”
    “What kind of stuff are we talking about?” I asked, not liking the way Uncle Mark had said the word.
    “You want to tell her,” Grandpa asked, “or should I?”
    “Tell me what?” I asked.
    “Nothing,” Uncle Mark said, his eyes fixed on Grandpa’s. “Dad, can I talk to you for a moment?” He indicated for Grandpa to follow him out to the backyard.
    Grandpa, who had just poured himself a second cup of coffee, held it up for show. “I’m having coffee here.”
    Uncle Mark held the door open. “You so old and feeble you can’t carry the mug with you?” 
    Grandpa nearly smiled at the challenge as he rose from his chair and started for the door, leaving his coffee behind. He stopped at the threshold and motioned for his son to go out first. “After you, Sheriff Blackburn.”
    I waited until they had both left before I looked at Simon. “ What was all that about?”
    Simon shrugged. “Grandpa is a l ittle out there. He thinks there are forces at work, beyond