Sara invited Laurie, the entire March household, and I to dinner one night. We came, as food was much welcomed, and we had a grand time. The meal of chicken and dumplings was wonderful and we were beginning on dessert.

"Tell me again, ma'am," Allen was saying, "how did you know my mother?"

"Oh, my, that was a very long time ago, we used to be neighbors, I believe, before she met your father," Mrs. March replied.

"I see, were you very good friends?" he asked.

"Yes, in fact, we were the best of friends, and after she got married we never spoke until Ty came," she answered.

"I liked your mother," Jo said, "she was a nice woman."

"Bang! Bang! Bang!" on the door interrupted all thoughts.

"What in the world?" Allen jumped up. He cracked open the door and looked out.

"Who is it, dear?" Sara asked, coming up behind Allen.

Allen took a jump back as the door flew open. I tried to keep myself from screeching and instead choked, for there stood Father.

Father lurched forward suddenly and fell to the ground at the exact time as my chair.

"Father!" I screamed, and ran to him, but I was too late. My father was dead. Dead cold.

"Ty-boy," Allen whispered and put his hand on my shoulder. I was kneeling over Father and wishing with all my heart that it was not my father lying there, but someone else.

I stood, as the reality hit me, and threw my arms around my brother, fighting tears.

"I know, Ty-boy, I know. Don't worry anymore."