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We were nearly asleep when the phone rang My heart knehy before my brain heard the words

Doctor Ha to say he was sorry "Mr Marvin has expired," he said

Austin held ht my breath, wiped my cheeks and turned to him

"The person who should be getting this call has no idea why she should be the one getting it Austin That's alhter wasn't at his side"

"You were there Rain" he rehter"

"I'11 take care of him" I vowed, "I'll see that he has a proper funeral"

I lay back in Austin's arh ement and even that look of sadness on his face when he had taken me to the airport for my trip to London

"It's so important to have soood-bye to you, Austin," I whispered

"Mine certainly won't," he said "Because I won't ever say good-bye"

Oh please I prayed, let those words never turn to dry leaves and crumble into dust

12

Reflections in a Broken Mirror

With Austin's help I ements for

Jake's funeral, He was to be buried in his family plot in the saart left the day before the funeral I could see she was now feeling a little guilty about leaving inc When she caood-bye, she had trouble lifting her gaze fro at me directly

"I' you an