Free Angel Song by Sheila Walsh

the poor kid choose her own food, Danielle. Honestly.” She nodded toward Ethan. “Looks like young Ethan’s already offering his assistance. She don’t need any from us old women. Don’t you remember your youth at all?”
    Ethan held his breath. Mrs. Edwards had spent the last five years determined to get him “married off.” Surely she wouldn’t start that at a time like this. He let out the breath he’d been holding when she reached across the table and squeezed Annie’s arm. “How you holding up, sweetie?”
    “She’ll be holding up better when we get some food in her. Now tell me what you want on here.” Danielle grabbed a plate and started filling it while Annie looked on, mouth slightly agape.
    Ethan smiled, thankful for these women who had loved Sarah and would do anything they could to help her sister. Now it was time for him to start working the crowd and helping in his own way.
    Group after group, he’d join the circle and agree with the conversations about what a wonderful person Sarah had been. And she had been. So wonderful. He thought of all the ways she’d helped Tammy and Keith over these last few years, the way her smile could brighten anyone’s day. The loss to them all was almost unbearable. It just didn’t make sense, and there could be no denying that. But Ethan’s current concern was Sarah’s older sister; he just couldn’t shake the compulsion that he had to help her. So he’d say his bit about Sarah and then add, “Poor Annie looks absolutely exhausted.” Just planting the thought in everyone’s mind.
    He saw Ann talking to Mrs. Williams, an eightyish-year-old woman with gray hair and large trifocals. He walked over just in time to hear Mrs. Williams say, “Sarah was such a giver. She was always taking care of people, driving me places after I broke my hip, bringing the groceries by. And not just for me, for a lot of other people too. Heaven has gained the most beautiful flower yet in the garden of the saints.”
    Ann choked on the coffee she’d just sipped and started coughing. “Garden of the saints?” she said.
    “The place where her Maker can always delight in her, just like we did while she was here on earth.”
    Something about the look on Ann’s face made Ethan fairly sure she was reaching the point of hysteria. He needed to do something—and fast. “Mrs. Williams, could you help me with something for just a minute?”
    She looked up at him, her face eager. “Why, of course.”
    “Right this way.” Ethan led her away from Annie, then leaned down and whispered, “Ann looks so exhausted. I’m wondering, do you think we should start hinting that it’s maybe time for people to go on home so she can get some rest?”
    Mrs. Williams nodded briskly. “Exactly right. I was just thinking the same thing. I’m going right over to Mildred and Ethel and tell them they’re about to overstay their welcome.”
    Ethan was almost positive that she had not been thinking the same thing, but she was his ally now, and he wasn’t going to question her. “Thanks, I’ll get the Seidls and the Langmos.”
    “Right.” Mrs. Williams walked faster than Ethan had seen her move in some time—a woman on a mission.
    Ethan walked up to Elli Seidl. “This has been such a sad day, hasn’t it? Sarah was such a wonderful person.” He scrubbed his hands across his face and nodded in Ann’s direction. “I think I’ll be leaving now. I know it’s been a long day for Annie, and she’s got lots of things to take care of. The poor kid must be worn out. I think I’ll leave her to get some rest.”
    “Oh yes, you’re probably right. We probably should get moving.”
    Five minutes later a mass exodus had begun. Ethan walked past Ann, who was saying her good-byes to a group of guests. She looked his way, and he nodded, just barely. She reached back to rub her neck and dipped her head slightly in response. It seemed as though a silent friendship had been formed.
    The garden of the