“No touching,” the officers behind them reminded. Alani leaned down over the casket and kissed her daughter’s forehead. Her skin felt cold, clammy, like clay, like an object that had never breathed and lived and laughed before. The color of her cinnamon skin was faded and dingy, like a trifling mama had washed the colored clothes on hot. This little body was not her little girl. This sight of death in front of her tore her up inside. “I love you, baby. Mommy loves you so much.”

“I spoke to a lawyer. I’m out of here in six months on good behavior. When I touch down, niggas gon’ answer for this,” he whispered. “That’s my word.” He sniffed away a tear and snuck one last kiss, planting this one on her cheek, before he was escorted away.

When the pastor lowered the lid to the casket, her numbness melted away, and her emotions were so crippling that she couldn’t stand. She sat in the front row, sobbing, her head buried in her hands until it was over. As everyone walked away, she sat there.

“Baby, we’ve got to go. People will expect to see you at the repast,” Nannie said.

“I can’t leave her. Just go ahead of me. I need a moment alone with her. I can meet you back at the church,” Alani said.

“Okay, baby,” Nannie replied, sorrowfully, before walking away.

***Er Her

Ethic walked through the cemetery, carrying fresh, long-stem roses, as he searched for Raven’s grave. He sat down on the grass, as he placed the bouquet on her headstone.