Chapter 84

A few hours into Will's vigil, he realized that Julia's breathing had changed. The door to her bedroom was ajar, and he could hear his aunt bustling around, keeping herself busy. "Aunt Margaret," he said as loudly as he could muster. "I think you should probably come in here."

Margaret had been present at quite a few deaths over the years. Thankfully, most of them had been the passing of elderly members of her family, such as her grandparents, though she had watched her mother breath her last at the age of fifty-two. She had always regretted not being there for her brother and his wife, Will's parents, but they had lived such reclusive lives. She didn't even know they were sick until after they had passed. Entering the room, she could tell immediately that Julia's time had come. Her breathing was very shallow and uneven. Several seconds passed between breaths. Catching Will's eye, Margaret nodded solemnly.