Julie sat in the living-room with a to-do-list in front of her. It was hard to plan her own daughter's funeral but she had to deflect herself somehow. Sitting around all day and crying wouldn't make it any better.
Julie rubbed her red eyes and tried to focus on her list again but too many thoughts crossed her mind. She never ever had thought she would have to bury her daughter one day. Parents shouldn't bury their children.
Summer went through the house looking for someone or something that would keep her occupied. She didn't want to think about Marissa right now. She didn't want to face the facts. But she had to accept it sooner or later. Her best friend and soon-to-be-sister was dead.
While walking past the living-room Summer noticed Julie who sat at a table burying her head in her arms. Poor woman. Marissa's death had hit her very hard.
Summer slowly came up to her step-mother and laid one hand on her shoulder. Julie lifted her head and looked at her with puffy eyes. Summer couldn't remember if she ever had seen Julie that sad and broken.
She took her step-mother into a hug and let her sob on her shoulder.