A few days later, the graveside service was over, and everyone came back to the house to celebrate her grandfather's long life. And to eat all the food that was dropped off earlier. She closed the front door after the last guest left and looked around the empty room. So, this was how it was going to be for the rest of her life. Quiet, cold, and alone.

Then Tom popped out through the kitchen doorway, his arms raised in the air. "Everything's cleaned up and ready to go back to the ...