TESSA'S POV

“Yes, we’re sorry for the little commotion that happened today,” I said, keeping my voice even though I could still feel my heart pounding from earlier. “The casket isn’t going to be buried here after all. There was a last-minute change in plans.” I tried to keep my tone polite, almost apologetic, hoping the manager would just let it go.

His expression didn’t shift much. He was one of those men whose face seemed carved from stone not necessarily unkind, but certainly unmoved. “Alright,” he said slowly, like he was weighing every word, “so when are you taking the casket out of here?”

“I’ll call a pickup truck...