3. Needing Some Space

Friends and distant relatives arrived, their embraces and stories about Henry blending laughter with tears. Each anecdote about Edith’s late husband added to the bittersweet atmosphere. As evening approached, the sunlight faded, mirroring the shift in the room’s mood. Edith, feeling a subtle restlessness, politely nodded to those around her and excused herself, seeking solitude. In her retreat, she found a respite from the day’s weight and the collective grief that hung in the air, a moment to breathe and reflect alone.