Went could tell that something was wrong because Richie was quiet. The Toziers' younger child had spoken his first word at six months and never looked back. Since the start of kindergarten, he had eagerly awaited his father's return from work every day to inform Went that bears stay asleep all winter, that Bartholomew Cubbins had 500 hats, or that Billy's daddy made him a boat out of folded-up paper. But today there was an almost eerie calm. Richie was coloring at the kitchen table, but his heart didn't seem to be in it. Annette seemed to be giving him a wide berth, and Maggie was in the kitchen making dinner. It was Richie's favorite, spaghetti and meatballs, although Went didn't know if that was coincidence or an attempt to make up for something. He decided that if Richie had gotten in trouble, it would be sporting of him to give Richie a chance to come clean without maternal prompting.

"How was school today?"

"Ok."

"Just ok?"

"Eddie wasn't there. His daddy went to heaven last night."

"I'm sorry to hear that, Richie."

"They're gonna have a fun'ral and put him under the ground."

"I see." Wentworth hastily retreated to the kitchen and conferred with Maggie in hushed tones.

"What happened?"

"Cancer. You remember Frank Kaspbrak?" The Kaspbraks had at one point attended the same church as the Toziers. Went remembered Frank as a nice enough guy, although his wife was a little flighty. "The school sent a note home with details on the funeral."

"You think we should go?" Went thought that a funeral might be a little heavy for a child Richie's age, not to mention the prospects that he would sit still through the whole thing were pretty dim.

"I think it's important that someone go. They weren't the most well-liked people in town, and I'd hate to think of Eddie growing up with a memory of a big empty church."

Richie seemed to cheer up when dinner was served, and remained in a good mood until Went had finished reading his bedtime story. He seemed to hesitate for a bit before deciding to ask the question that had been on his mind.

"Daddy, are you gonna die like Eddie's dad?"

Went had been expecting the question, but was still struggling to come up with an answer. He settled on "Not for a long, long, time."

A week later, the Toziers wrangled a squirming Richie into a coat and clip-on tie and proceeded to the Methodist church the Kaspbraks had begun attending after a falling-out of some sort with Father McClanahan. They were the only family from school to attend, and it was just as well. Sonia Kaspbrak had gone into hysterics and draped herself over the coffin, wailing about her poor, poor husband. Eddie was standing off to the side, clearly frightened but not making a sound. The family members were ignoring him to focus on Sonia, so Maggie took it on herself to collect Eddie.

"Hi, Eddie. Why don't we take you and Richie to the children's room?"

"Ok."

"Can you show me where it is?"

"Yes, ma'am." Somewhat proud of himself for being entrusted to show a grown-up around the big old church, Eddie led Maggie and Richie to the church nursery. Maggie stayed there to supervise the boys until Went collected them at the end of the service. They piled into the Toziers' car and joined the funeral procession to the cemetery.

Sonia had another outburst as the casket was being lowered into the grave. This time, Eddie began crying too, burying his face in Maggie's shoulder and sobbing. It was then that Maggie decided she had a Christian duty to look out for this child.