tonight

Aunty Marie is close to going.
There were fifteen of us with her tonight praying and singing.
Marie's bed is in the conservatory at Uncle Bernard's.
She was not conscious but I think she could hear us.
I looked around the room.
We were together.
Cousins who couldn't stand each other in childhood. The Uncle I fought with. The brother who was always angry.
Holding hands.
Singing.
This is what Aunty Marie has done for us at the end.