With cautious steps, I walked into the front entrance and was immediately welcomed by the scent of carnations and something else that was specific to this place, probably mildew but I chose to identify it as death.

“You’re a sight for sore eyes, darlin’!” Morty spoke, startling me.

“Hey, Morty.” I waved the check in the air like a victory lane flag. “I’m here to pay off the car.”

“Well, ain’t that just marvelous.” His enthusiasm matched mine, but then panic rose as he latched his manicured fingers around my elbow and started pulling me too far away from the front door.

All I wanted to do was pay this last payment and be on my way, but Morty led me deeper inside the funeral home and the next thing I knew I was in a viewing room where a cherrywood casket was set up.

Morty introduced me to the living person standing by the dead person laid out. “Austin, honey, you know Beth? From the flower shop?”

I gave the woman a small nod and struggled to keep my eyes away from the dead man.

“Beth is setting up the flowers for Mr. Winkle’s viewing. His family will be arriving in about a half hour. It’s been so busy I don’t know if I’m coming or going.” Morty’s hands were moving through the air as rapidly as he was speaking, but his mention of Mr. Winkle’s name caught my attention. His eyes snapped to me when I sucked in a sharp breath. “Don’t worry, honey. I did a thorough exam before I began embalming him. I made sure there was no waking up this time.”

Like that would make me more comfortable.

The florist leaned close to inspect the man. “He looks so peaceful, don’t you think?” Beth whispered as if she were trying not to wake him.

I wanted to reply that he just looked dead to me but figured that was too snide and speaking ill of the dead. His waxy complexion and frozen state left no doubt to that fact.

“Like he’s just taking a nap,” Beth added.

The overwhelming sweetness from the floral arrangements surrounding the casket reminded me of a woman who’d been too heavy-handed with the perfume bottle way past the point of pleasant. Holding my breath, I reversed out of the room and bumped into Morty in the hall.

“Oh! I didn’t even realize you left me,” I squeaked out.

“Honey, I told you I had to grab this from my office.” He handed me the car title and a thick manila envelope. “Give this to Dave, please.”

“What is it?”

“Your father’s funeral arrangements.” Morty flicked his wrist when I gave him a concerned look. “Lots of people make prearrangements to take the burden off their family.”