Kali rode in the limo beside the casket, her small legs swinging as the car crawled through the cemetery. Cassandra followed behind in her car, staring out the window, numb.


At the gravesite, everyone gathered around as the pastor offered a few final words. A woman stepped forward, her voice breaking the heavy silence as she began to sing “Amazing Grace.” One by one, people placed their last flowers on the casket and drifted back toward their cars.


Kali, untouched by the weight of the moment, skipped between the headstones. Cassandra had held herself together all morning, but now the grief finally broke through. She bent at the waist, sobbing. A firm, familiar hand rested on her shoulder.


She looked up to see Trevor, her husband.

“I got here as soon as I could,” he said, pulling her into his arms. “I took some time from work so I could be here for you, babe.”


She kissed him softly, grateful, and they sat down together on the folding chairs by the gravesite.


Across the grass, Kali spotted Trevor and ran full speed toward him.

“Daddy!” she squealed, leaping into his arms.


Cassandra’s head snapped toward them. “Kali… that’s your uncle, not your daddy.”


Kali froze, confused, her arms still around Trevor’s neck. “…I missed you so much,” she said to him, innocent and certain.


Cassandra’s stomach tightened. As the groundskeepers began lowering her sister’s casket into the ground, Trevor handed Kali his phone to keep her busy. Cassandra sat quietly, tears drying on her cheeks, watching her niece tap at the screen.


“Daddy, look! I’m winning!” Kali called out proudly.


Cassandra’s eyes drifted between them. The resemblance was there especially in the eyes. A resemblance she could no longer ignore.


She steadied her breath, wiping her face. Whatever this was… she was going to find out.