“Death shouldn’t be scary to a child.”
“Will I die?” he asked.
“Everybody and everything dies one day”
“I don’t want to die.”
“You’re not going to, not for a long, long, long time. Just be happy, Chrissy. Enjoy life. Every day.”
“Will you and Dad die?”
There was a long pause as if everyone in the room turned to ice. Lori and Christian were the only two sitting, talking and holding hands.
“Let’s talk about something else,” his mother said.
“Why?”
“Death is never pleasant.”
Lori cleared her throat, and as she shifted into a more relaxed position next her son, she brushed a tear running down her face.
“Are you sad, Mom?” Christian asked.
“A little.”
“Does Aunt Betty’s death make you sad?”
She looked down at her son and nodded, her eyes glassy and glistening.
“I won’t leave you, Mom,” he said. “I promise.”