David frowned as he sat in the waiting room of the funeral home. This was his first time in Elwood City since the fire. It was a surprisingly posh building given the nature of the industry in question. It sent a chill down his spine. Then again, would a decaying center make him feel any better?

A man walked out and smiled. "Hello. I'm Victor. Welcome to the Elwood City Funeral Home. David, right?"

"Yes."

"Excellent. Well, come on into my office,"

David walked into the well-light office and took a seat.

"You told our receptionist you were confused about your circumstances?"

David felt a pit in his throat, but nonetheless managed to force out words. "Well yes. You see, my mother... did you hear of that huge house fire on Main Street?"

"Yes, I did."

"Well, that was my house," David explained.

Victor's face frowned. "I am terribly sorry for you loss."

"Yes. Well, you see, she didn't make it out..." David's left hand shook slightly. "She was found but badly burned. I know she wanted to be buried, but the fire department recommend we cremate her. I don't know what to do."

"Well, that's a very personal decision," Victor responded. "And not a question with a right or wrong answer. Have you spoken with your family about this?"

"I asked my sister, Loretta, but she it was my choice to make," David explained. "There's really nobody else to ask. All my other relatives are on my late father's side."

"Well, David, I'm afraid only you can ultimately make that choice," Victor said. "We can discuss how both processes would work, however..."

Buster sat glumly at the kitchen table. Bitzi emerged from the pantry with pasta sauce and some Rigatoni noodles for dinner.

"Mom," Buster asked. "Did you know about Arthur's house fire but not tell me."

Bitzi bit her lip. "Yes, Buster. I knew."

"How could you not tell me?" Buster asked.

"You were so happy about Miami," Bitzi explained. "I didn't want to ruin that."

"But Mom, I shouldn't have happy when my friend's house burned down."

"Perhaps not," Bitzi admitted. "I'm sorry, Buster. I should have told you."

"Where is he now?"

"Well, I don't really know. The courts sent him and his other sister Kate to some relative."

"And Arthur's parents left town separately?" Buster inquired.

"That's the rumor. I suspect this may be the end of their marriage."

Buster wondered if Arthur even knew his parents were likely divorcing. Probably not.

"Why don't you cut the garlic bread so we can have it with dinner," Bitzi suggested.

"Okay." Buster agreed.

Buster walked over to grab a knife then pulled out a giant plate to put the bread on. He cut the bread into what he hoped would be even pieces, though when he finished he realized some were bigger than others.

"You did a very good job, Buster." Bitzi said.

"They aren't equal pieces."

Bitzi waved her hand. "Oh, that doesn't really matter."

The phone unexpectedly rang. Bitzi picked it up. "Hello? Why hello, it's nice to hear from you! Yes, I'll get him," Bitzi handed Buster the phone, "Buster, it's Arthur!"

"Arthur?" Buster said in confusion, then held the phone his ear. "Hello, Arthur?"

"Buster! Hi!"

"Arthur, where are you?" Buster said bluntly.

"I'm at my cousin Mo's house. Remember her?"

"Barely, but yeah. Is that were you live now?"

"Yep," Arthur responded, "Kate's here too. We went to the park today and saw my new school."

"Oh," Buster didn't even try to mask his disappointment, "Sounds like your having fun."

"Not really. I'd rather be back in Elwood City."

This cheered Buster up a bit. "You remembered my phone number?"

"Sure, I've dialed it so many times. I'm getting a new computer so I can e-mail you."

"That would be great, Arthur!" Buster said.

"I have to get going now, Arthur said, "Mo's about to play some grunge music and it'll be hard to talk without being distracted."

"Oh. Well, thanks for calling Arthur. Bye."

"Bye, Buster. I'll talk to you soon." The line went dead and a dial tone soon emerged.

"That was a short call," Buster said in disappointment.

"Well, at least he remembered you number at all," Bitzi pointed out, "those details can be easily forgotten after tragedy."

"Yeah, that's true," Buster admitted. "I'm glad he called."

Two months earlier.

DW was starting to get bored of staying home every day. She missed going to school. After she deafened Tommy, none of the other kids parents wouldn't let her former classmates go to DW's house anymore.

Nadine watched DW. "Bored?"

"That Artie forced me to get expelled."

Nadine shook her head. "DW, you got yourself expelled by making Tommy go deaf."

"I only did that because he deserved it," DW protested, "for what he did."

Nadine raised her eyebrow. "Oh, really? What did he do that day?"

"Well, uh... nothing on that day. But for the other time!"

"DW, you need to start behaving yourself. You can keep going like this."

"Of course I can," DW boasted, "Daddy's been acting lame lately, but Mommy still let's me do what I want."

"Just because you haven't in real trouble yet doesn't mean you won't eventually."

"Ha! We'll see about that!"

DW decided run kitchen and get a cookie without permission. Nadine sighed.