Vincenzo’s words hit Anna hard. She stared at him, mouth slightly open, but no sound came.

A heavy, painful sob caught in her throat, choking her. 

Her chest rose and fell in silent, ragged heaves.

“She’s gone,” Vincenzo continued. “No amount of tears will change that. Do you really think your grandmother would want this? To see you crying like this and making yourself sick over her?”

Anna’s head dropped, as if the strings holding it up had been cut.

A broken, guttural wail ...