Early that morning just after dawn and before her husband woke up after another one of his long nights playing video games, Maria walked downstairs, poured herself some coffee, and then sat once more at her dining room table which overlooked her backyard. She slowly sipped her coffee, gripping the bottom of the ceramic mug tightly with her right hand and holding the handle with her left. She looked into the mug while sipping; noticing the gentle wafts of steam which revealed the intensity of the fluid and enjoying the aroma of Arabica beans filling her nostrils as well as the ambient air. She dreaded that Michael"s funeral was later that afternoon, but she decided to finally call her younger brother, Daniel, to discuss the funeral arrangements. She was now able to discuss it without gettin
