Sam’s phone rang with a call from her friend and communications director, Roni Connolly. “Hey, Roni.”

“Sam… I’m so, so sorry about Spencer. How’s your sister?”

“Not good. You know how it goes.”

“I do, unfortunately. I wanted to call to remind you of my Wild Widows group for when you think Angela might be ready for some support from people who’ve been where she is and understand the journey.”

“I’ll let her know when the time is right. She’ll appreciate the invite, I’m sure.”

“These early days are the worst, especially when it’s sudden like it was for her and for me. If there’s anything she needs, please don’t hesitate to ask. I’ll do whatever I can for her.”

“She may want to see you. I’ll ask her. Thank you for the offer, Roni. It means a lot. It’s just been…”

“Horrible.”

“Yeah,” Sam said with a sigh. “I still can’t believe this has happened. He was fine on Saturday.”

“Do they have any idea what happened?”

“Not yet.” Sam was determined to protect Angela’s privacy and Spencer’s legacy by keeping suspicions of an overdose quiet for as long as she possibly could. With the story of their brother-in-law’s death making the national news, they’d probably be forced to eventually release a cause of death. But they didn’t have to think about that today. “Thanks for checking in. I really appreciate it, and Angela will, too.”

“Of course. We jokingly refer to the Wild Widows as a club no one ever wants to join, but the support I’ve found with them has been lifesaving and life-affirming.”

“I’m sure Angela will take you up on the offer when she’s ready.”

“How are you holding up?”

“I don’t even know. It’s all so shocking, and with Ang expecting her third baby in June… It’s too much to process.”

“She and I are due the same month, so we have that in common, too.”

“She’ll take comfort from you when she’s ready to. I’m sure of that. It means a lot that you reached out, Roni.”

“I wish there was more I could do.”

“I feel the same way. I’ll talk to you soon.”

“Sounds good. Let me know if I can help with anything at all.”

“I will. Thanks again.” Sam closed her phone and turned to Tracy, who was checking her own phone. “That was my friend Roni, who was widowed in October. She wanted to remind me about her Wild Widows group of young widows for when Angela is ready.”

“I love the name of that group.”

“It’s taken from the Mary Oliver quote… ‘What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?’”

“Ah, that’s great, and it’s a good reminder to live life to the fullest. You never know when the clock will run out. When you think about it, how do any of us function knowing we could kick it at any second?”

“The odds are pretty good that it’s not going to happen until we’re old and gray, which is how we function.”