"Everyone, get in."
Eunice stood in front of the hearse and gestured for everyone to climb aboard.
Mina, Lunt, Chris, and Sarah-Eunice gave each of them a hand as they got in.
"Thank you, Miss."
"Thank you, Miss."
Eunice climbed into the hearse too, closed the door, and slid the latch into place. When she looked for somewhere to sit, she found that the four children had filled one bench, leaving the entire opposite bench for her.
"Aren't you cramped?"
Everyone answered in unison, "Not at all, Miss."
"Then would one of you like to sit over here with me?"
Nobody spoke.
Even Mina, normally the most considerate of them, seemed a little shy now.
It couldn't be helped. What was it like to have your math teacher suddenly become your prospective sister-in-law?
Embarrassing, of course, and then more embarrassing. All their earlier enthusiasm for cheering their brother on had vanished.
"All right, then."
Eunice could only sit alone on the opposite bench. In the rectangular recess in front of her were a barbecue grill, charcoal, skewered vegetables, and various meats that had been marinated the night before.
Kallen took the driver's seat. As he started the hearse, he glanced into the rearview mirror and said,
"Mina, go sit with Eunice."
Mina blinked and could only smile. "Okay, Kallen. Miss, I'm coming over."
Eunice reached out and helped Mina hop across. Once Mina sat beside her, Eunice took Mina's little hand in hers.
Mina wore the sort of smile she put on when going up to receive an award: elegant, dignified, and a little stiff.
Across from her, Lunt, Chris, and Sarah looked delighted by her predicament.
"Stay seated, and don't run around. Tell me first if you need anything. Understood?"
"Yes, Kallen."
"Yes, Kallen."
Kallen started the hearse, heading