Free A Place Beyond by Laura Howard

stirring a bowl of pancake batter. I poured it over the sizzling griddle, and went into the freezer to see if we had any sausages.
    Finding what I was looking for, I emptied the entire package into a frying pan. The smells began mingling into those of my memories of Sunday breakfasts with my whole family. As I stood over the griddle flipping the pancakes, I watched the little birds flutter around the backyard. Chickadees and cardinals searched out the birdseed my grandfather so lovingly kept full for them year after year. I made a mental note to fill it later.
    I glanced over my shoulder when I heard the sound of footsteps on the stairs. Gram entered the kitchen, still in her nightgown and robe. She looked so tired, but she wore a knowing smile.
    “Good morning, Allie-girl.”
    “Morning, Gram,” I said in the most cheerful voice I could conjure.
    “Smells good,” she said, pulling out a chair.
    “Thanks,” I said, flipping some pancakes onto a plate.
    “I haven’t been there for you in the past few weeks as much as I should have,” Gram said, looking down at her clasped hands.
    I dropped the spatula and spun around. “What? Of course you have, Gram. Don’t even say that.”
    She shook her head. “Life gets busy and we forget to check in with each other. I’m sorry. Pop and I had this conversation many times,” she said, smiling.
    “If anyone is guilty of that, it’s me,” I said, picking up the spatula.
    “Would it sound strange if I said I’m glad you’ve been so busy lately?” she asked.
    My brow furrowed. “A little.”
    “You’ve always been such a little worrier,” she said, chuckling a little. “Always worrying about your mom and about us. I’m glad to see you doing things for yourself for a change. That’s how it should be.”
    “You can be glad for me once I get done with school,” I said as I poured more batter on the griddle.
    “While I believe your education is very important, you’ve always done well in school. It’s made me happy to see you enjoying yourself with Ethan. It made your grandfather happy too, you know. He always thought you worked too hard.”
    “Oh, yes. He was never shy about letting me know,” I said with a little smile.
    Another chair pulled back from the table and I saw my mother sit down beside Gram.
    “There she is,” Gram said, wrapping her hands around one of my mother’s.
    “I hope you’re both hungry,” I said, placing the sausages on a platter.
    “Oh my word, are those pancakes I smell?” Aunt Jessie called from the front hall as the door clicked shut.
    “Good morning, Mom,” she said, kissing the top of Gram’s head. “Were you able to get some sleep?”
    “Hi honey,” Gram said. “I got plenty of rest. What about you?”
    “Yup, how’s Beth feeling this morning?” Aunt Jessie said, sitting beside her sister.
    “Her cough seems to be getting better,” Gram said. She started to stand when the coffee pot beeped.
    “I’ll get you a coffee, Gram. Relax.”
    “Oh, you don’t need to do that,” she said, frowning at me.
    “I insist,” I said. “It’s been a rough couple of days for you and I want to take care of you .”
    “You are too good to me,” she said, flustered.
    “I’m going to call Wallace Funeral Home at nine, Mom. We should get the arrangements taken care of.”
    Gram’s face fell once the elephant in the room was brought up. She nodded and the tears that instantly filled her eyes nearly undid me.
    I set plates out for the three of them while they discussed their plans for the day. Aunt Jessie was so strong, I admired the way she was taking such good care of Gram. I hadn’t even considered things like wakes and flowers.
    Before long, Uncle David and Nicole came over and grabbed some food. I took a plate for myself and ate leaning against the counter.
    A buzz went off and I looked around trying to remember where I left my phone. The sound was coming from the living room and I hurried in, not sure where it was