Perplexed

Today was weird. I don’t get it. A bunch of people all together, but they didn’t seem very happy about it. I didn’t get to have any fun.

First, we went to church on a Wednesday. Mom put on my dress with the big bow, and those hard shoes, and Bryce and Matteo had to put on good clothes too. 

Daddy held me for a long long time while people stood around. I had to say hi to a whole bunch of people. It was almost like a parade. I knew some of them, but not many. Grandpa was there, and Uncle Richard, but not Grandma. I wondered where she was. Some people were crying. Some people were hugging Mommy. I got tired of Daddy, and he let me down to walk around with Matteo. But then I was chasing him, and Daddy picked me up again. It was no fun at all.

Then we went into the church. It wasn’t like a Sunday. We must have been late from all that standing around because everybody was already in there singing, and we were the last ones to come in. 

There was a big long box in the front of the church and lots of flowers. People were crying and blowing their noses. Mommy was crying. Even Bryce was crying.  I know church is boring, but I knew not to squirm or giggle with Matteo, or Daddy would take me out like he did last week. He wasn’t happy about that. He didn’t seem very happy today already, so I stayed quiet. After a while I fell asleep on his shoulder.

After church we went outside and there was the big box. I wanted to get down and play by the big smooth rocks with Matteo, but Dad wouldn’t let me. We sat under a tent thing for a while. People were still crying. I don’t know why because it was a nice day out.

We went back into the church basement and ate ham sandwiches and cake. 

In the car on the way home, Daddy said, “Good-bye, Shirley.” Bryce said, “Good-by, Grandma.” I don’t know why they said that. Grandma wasn’t even there. 

What a weird day.