Jorden heard anxiety in her mother’s voice. She couldn’t imagine what was wrong. “Don’t worry, Mom. I’m still leaving early tomorrow morning.”

“Oh, I’m so glad I caught you. I’ve been calling and calling. . . Uncle William, he . . . he died Wednesday night.”

“Oh Mom, I’m so sorry.” Jorden paused for a moment, taken aback by her mother’s words. Next, she stammered, “How?”

“Jeanette said it was a heart attack. It happened Wednesday night in his sleep. She couldn’t wake him the next morning.”

“I’m so sorry. What can I do?”

“Come to the funeral with us.”

“Of course . . . of course I will. When?”

“Your dad and I are already on the way. We should reach Grandma Marshall’s home early tomorrow. Please drive to Lockton in the morning and meet us there. We’ll all drive to Selma Saturday afternoon for the funeral on Sunday.”

“I’ll be there. I’ll leave early tomorrow morning.” At times like this, Jorden would do anything she could to help her Mother.

“Good. We want you to drive home with us to New Jersey.”

“What about my car?”

“You can leave it at Grandma Marshall’s. She won’t mind. It would be a big help to us.”

“Anything, Mom. I’m so sorry. I’ll get there first thing tomorrow morning.”

“Thank you—we’ll see you then.”

Jorden could hear the relief in her mother’s voice. Still, she couldn’t believe her uncle had died. She remembered Uncle William suffered a severe heart attack several years ago. He survived and had been doing well. Jorden and her uncle weren’t close, but she knew how much he meant to her mother. Growing up in New Jersey had separated Jorden from her southern relatives.

What was she to do? Jorden’s thoughts went in all directions. She couldn’t feel the grief her mother was experiencing; she hardly knew Uncle William. And, at the same time, she worried how she would tell Alex.

Arriving at seven thirty, Alex stepped into the apartment with a huge smile and swept Jorden into his arms. “I’ve been thinking about you all day. I can’t wait for this adventure to begin.”

Jorden didn’t say anything.

“Are you all right?”

“No.” Jorden sat down on the couch. Alex joined her. “Mother just called with sad news. My uncle had a heart attack . . . he died Wednesday night. Mom and Dad are driving down right now and should be at Grandma’s home tomorrow morning. My mother is so upset. I could hear it the instant I heard her voice. The funeral is set for Sunday in Selma.”

Alex leaned forward with his hands on his knees as he listened. He didn’t say a word or move a muscle.