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the service starts. I don’t want to walk in late on Father Cleary. You know what he’s like.”
    “What he was like. I think he might have lost his bark by now.”
    Sofia drove, and we arrived at the funeral home in less than ten minutes. The parking lot was filled, but Sofia managed to find a spot on one of the side roads. It always amazed me how she could maneuver her car, even in the tightest of spots.
    We made our way across the street and joined a group of older ladies who were entering at the same time. There was a line-up at the donations desk.
    Sofia said, “Let’s pay our respects first and worry about donations later. It’s the first room on the right.”
    Sofia glanced around the room crammed with wall-to-wall floral arrangements, plants, and people. “Jenny Marie is at the far right talking with an older gentleman. Why don’t we chat with her for a while?”
    We made our way through the crowd and found ourselves face-to-face with Jenny Marie. The older gentleman’s voice trembled as he spoke. “Edith has become more housebound and hardly ever goes out now. We both appreciated everything that Carrie Ann did for us after Edith had her stroke.” He took Jenny Marie’s hand and held it tightly. “We will pray for you and Anna May.” Tears welled in his eyes as he headed toward the door.
    “Thank you for coming. I’m surprised to see you after what happened the other day.” Jenny Marie winced. “I must apologize for Anna May’s behavior. She’s been blaming everyone, even some of our regular suppliers and customers.”
    I hugged her. “She has every right to be angry at such a tragic and senseless crime.”
    Jenny Marie smiled gratefully. “I spoke to my daughter about your condo. She’s an interior designer, too, and she would love to see it sometime.”
    My eyes traveled around the room, searching for younger head of blonde hair. While I had never met Grace, I figured she resembled her mother and aunts. “I’d love to show it to her. Is she planning to stay for a few days?”
    “She’s in the middle of a very important assignment out East. I told her not to worry about missing the service. Anna May insisted on having it today.” She paused and added, “Carrie Ann would have understood.”
    Sofia spoke. “My condolences to you and Anna May. We will keep you in our prayers.”
    One of the funeral directors made an announcement. “Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention please.” The room became quiet, and he continued. “Father Cleary will be conducting a short service in the chapel, two doors down the hall. It will begin in ten minutes.”
    “Let’s go.” Sofia started walking faster. “We want to get good seats.”
    “This is not an arena.” While I didn’t think it was dignified to be moving so quickly in a funeral home, I noticed several other visitors also quickening their pace.
    “I don’t know about you, but I have no intention of standing any longer than I have to in these heels.”
    I followed her into the chapel, marveling at how she managed to elbow her way past the others. We found two places in the fourth row from the front. Sofia smiled as she sank into her chair. I focused on the altar where Anna May and Jenny Marie were talking with an older and much grayer Father Cleary. A tall, slender blonde woman approached the trio and began pointing toward the podium. She was strikingly beautiful with long, curly blonde hair. A man in a black, pinstripe suit approached and touched her on the shoulder. Carlo Fantin. She hugged him, and they stood close together for a while.
    “Do you remember Melly Grace?” Sofia asked.
    “The American cousin from Tennessee.” How could I forget the Group of Four as they liked to call themselves? The three Godfrey sisters and the visiting cousin were inseparable during that spring so long ago.
    “She broke up at least ten couples.” Sofia whispered, but she had a definite edge to her voice.
    “What are you talking