Cut Off

“This isn’t very much fun,” his mother told him.  When she tried to smile a teardrop rolled down her cheek.  “But that’s okay.  That’s okay.”  She closed her eyes again.  “Although I’d hoped I would die in the summer.  That would have been so much more pleasant for everybody.  Make sure you dress nice and warm for the funeral.”

“…Okay.”

“Good.  I don’t want you to catch cold.”

Jonah leaned forward, seized her hand.  “I love you, Mom.”

“Of course you do, dear.”  She gave his hand a weak squeeze and then released it.  “Now go see where your father is.  We don’t want him sneaking another cup of coffee, or he’ll be in the hospital next.  You might be grown up, but I don’t want to orphan you boys all together.”