Bette studied herself in the mirror. She looked pulled together – calm. Which was not how she felt. She wondered if today would finally mark an end to her inner turmoil over Jenny. She doubted it. She’d been to her share of funerals; nothing ever changed afterward. Bette had never felt the closure that others claimed, or pretended to feel. Time was the only thing that healed pain. Or dulled it.

She smoothed a nonexistent wrinkle out of her skirt and picked up her bag. It was time. Tina was already waiting downstairs.

Bette took a deep breath as she descended the stairs, trying to calm her jangly nerves and the creeping unease she felt. It was a funeral. She should be focusing on Jenny, and failing that, her friends, who were very much alive and hurting. It would be over in a few hours. She could handle it. Then it wouldn’t be long before they were gone from this house. She just needed to keep it together and not psych herself out.

James was sitting with Angie in the media room, typing out a message on his laptop while Angie watched an animated movie. James looked up.

“Hey,” he said.

“I assume I don’t need to give you any instructions?” Bette asked.

“No. Tina already told me everything.”

“Right. Make sure you interact with Angie at some point today. I don’t want her sitting in front of the TV the entire time we’re gone.”

“Of course not,” James said, a little insulted.

Bette looked away for a moment and shook her head. “I’m sorry, James. I just…” She trailed off as her gaze fell outside to the pool beyond.

“Bette?”

Slightly startled from her thoughts, she turned back to James. “Hm?”

James frowned slightly. “Are you okay?”

Bette managed a smile. “Yeah. Yeah, I’m okay.”

“Okay. Uh, Tina’s in the kitchen.”

Bette excused herself and went down the hall. She found Tina in the kitchen, scarfing down half a grapefruit. “I’m ready,” Bette said.

“I’m almost done. Want some coffee or anything?”

Bette shook her head and perched on one of the stools, checking her watch.

“Relax, Bette, we’re early.”

“I know. I just don’t want to be late.”