nail gun salute

Martha’s cab pulled up near the TV camera, and everybody turned around.  A handsome young man got out and opened the door for the Widow Addams.  She took his arm. As they got closer, Merideth was sure she had seen him before, but couldn’t think where. Then she looked at the two faces, as alike as two peas in a pod. No wonder she thought she’d seen him somewhere. They could have been identical twins had they not been male and female.  You couldn’t have identical twins in different sexes, Merideth assured herself. Well, maybe if one of them had a sex change. Certainly siblings; probably twins. The black suits they were each wearing set off their gilt hair, hers just a trace longer than his. But her face was set in unmistakable and unfakeable sadness, while his was serene.

      Behind Danny’s cab, she saw Bobby pull up, and another brother and sister get out. Kate and Bill were both dark, with those silvery eyes, and not particularly tall. They too were very good looking. But they did not have the almost symbiotic appearance of the other siblings. She was not clinging to his arm. Bill was wearing khakis and a navy blazer, and Kate was wearing a black tunic and leggings. She had a black ribbon pinned to her shoulder.

      The two couples sat down. As Reverend Paul began an opening prayer, Merideth peeked and saw Bobby walk around the chairs to take a seat behind Kate. And then Katherine the First sat down next to her.

      “Lord, the shadow of death has fallen over us. Be with the Addams family in this time. Comfort them with your presence. Let them see the light of hope,” Reverend Paul intoned.
        As he said “Amen,” the ratatat of what could only be nail guns echoed through the cemetery.