Free Revolutions of the Heart by Marsha Qualey

cry.”
    Women ministers were still uncommon around Summer, and Cory hadn’t expected one today. Too bad Mac wasn’t there to enjoy following his own advice. The fresh wave of grief subsided and Cory smirked through the remainder of the interment service. Twice the minister caught her eye and returned Cory’s grin with a puzzled smile.
    As soon as the final blessing was spoken, people turned and walked away. The March wind was cold and the prayers had gone on too long. Cory didn’t linger either; she would come back soon on her own.
    Alicia was walking hesitantly over the crusty snow toward the nursing home van. Cory caught up with her and took the woman’s arm. Alicia smiled down at her. “Thank you, dear. This ground is treacherous.”
    “Thank you for coming.”
    “Those of us who are still ambulatory never miss a funeral. And we did so care for your mother. Terrible day for a burial, though. The wind is nasty. I saw you try not to laugh when Winnie’s hat nearly blew away. I told her not to wear a hat.”
    “Are you coming over to the house? Everyone’s invited, and there’s a ton of food.”
    “I think not. Church and a tramp through the snow are more than enough activity for us. Besides, it’s almost time for afternoon medications. We can’t miss our pills. We might up and die.”
    A nursing home aide was smoking a cigarette by the van, and he flicked it into the snow as they approached. “Time to go back,” he said. “You’re the last one.”
    Alicia looked at Cory. The old woman’s purple lips curved into a slight smile. “All these funerals. It sometimes feels like I will be the last one.” She kissed Cory. “She was too young. I wish it had been me.” Alicia waved away the aide and climbed by herself into the van. She sat down and stared straight ahead.
    “Cory!”
    She traced the call and saw Sasha and Tony waving from his car. She walked toward them, stopping several times to accept condolences and shake hands.
    “Oh, man,” she said to her friends when she finally reached them, “I’m starting to get depressed.”
    Sasha and Tony smiled at each other. “We thought so,” said Sasha. “We have the remedy. Get in the car and we’ll take you back to the house.”
    Cory looked for Mike and spotted him walking away from the gravesite. He had one arm around Rob and was holding his youngest grandchild in the other. She waved to catch his attention, then signaled her intention to leave with her friends. He lifted his arm from her brother and blew a kiss in reply.
    Sasha followed Cory into the back seat. “That’s right, leave me alone up here,” said Tony as he started the car and drove away. “I don’t get to drink and I sit all alone.”
    “Drink?” asked Cory. “Who’s drinking?”
    Sasha lifted aside a blanket on the floor to reveal a six-pack of beer. “We are. Pop a cold one.” She twisted a can loose and handed it to Cory.
    Cory rolled the sweaty can in her hands. “I don’t do this.”
    “Neither do I. I don’t even know what the stuff tastes like. But…” Sasha’s voice cracked, and Cory looked at her. Tears were running down her cheeks. “But my best friend buried her mom today, and I didn’t know what to do to make anything seem better.” She wiped off the tears and snapped open her beer. “I was never taught to pray.”
    Cory snapped open her own beer and took a long drink. She liked it better as more went down.
    Tony took them on a slow and meandering two-beer drive to Cory’s house. By the time they arrived, cars had already filled the driveway and lined the side of the road that led to the house. Tony dropped them off and drove away to find a parking spot.
    “Hold me up,” said Cory.
    “Nobody gets drunk on two beers,” said Sasha. “Just remember that.”
    Mike opened the door. “It’s about time.”
    Cory nodded. She didn’t want to speak. He would know, instantly.
    “Where have you been? People want to see you.”
    “Just driving around.”