Todd's Death (Part 4)

By Kay Heitsch

The day of the calling hours would be the first time I had seen Todd since he walked out the back door. I was still in a haze and trying to come to grips with what was happening.

We arrived early at the funeral home. It was a bitterly cold day, but much to my surprise, many teenagers lined up outside waiting to go inside.

As I remember, we all walked into the funeral home together. It was a surreal experience. I walked up to the casket and looked at Todd. He did not look like himself. The accident had disfigured his face. The funeral home people had done their best to reshape it, but that was not what got my attention.

I had been to many funerals and had seen many people in their caskets, including both of my parents, but I had never had the feeling and experience I had that day.

I reached into the casket and touched Todd's leg and hand. They were hard and cold. I stood staring at this body dressed in the clothes I had brought over, but somehow I knew Todd was not here. Todd's body was there, but Todd was gone.

Where was Todd?