“My family taught me, too, to begin every burial with these words, which my mother said were true of everyone who lives long enough to walk and talk – from the most honorable person lying here, down to the very worst.” He closed his eyes and touched his chest. “ ‘How they tried,’ ” said Rafe. “ ‘How long, how hard they tried.”

“My family taught me, too, to begin every burial with these words, which my mother said were true of everyone who lives long enough to walk and talk – from the most honorable person lying here, down to the very worst.” He closed his eyes and touched his chest. “ ‘How they tried,’ ” said Rafe. “ ‘How long, how hard they tried.”

— Gabrielle Squailia