Daphne's eyes were burning holes in my neck and
head. I was sure Gisselle's behavior pleased her more
than mine did, but I wasn't there to please Daphne; I
was there to say my last goodbye to Daddy and thank
the people who really cared, just as Daddy would
have wanted me to thank them: warmly, without
pretension.
Bruce Bristow remained very close by,
occasionally whispering to Daphne and getting some
order from her. When we had arrived at the church, he
offered to take my place and wheel Gisselle down the
church aisle. He was there to wheel her out and help
get her into the limousine and out of it at the
cemetery. Of course, Gisselle enjoyed the extra
attention and the tender loving care, glancing up at me
occasionally with that self-satisfied grin on her lips. The highlight of the funeral came at the very
end, just as we were approaching the limousine for
our ride home. I turned to my right and saw my half
brother, Paul, hurrying across the cemetery. He broke
into a trot to reach us before we got into the car. "Paul!" I cried. I couldn't contain my surprise
and delight at the sight of him. Daphne pulled herself
back from the doorway of the limousine and glared
angrily at me. Others nearby turned as well. Bruce
Bristow, who was preparing to transfer Gisselle from
her chair into the car, paused to look up when Gisselle
spoke.
"Well, look who's come at the last moment,"
she said.
Even though it had only been months, it seemed
ages since Paul and I had seen each other. He looked