The next few moments pass by in a whirlwind state. At the top of the steps, you see a small crowd of people still waiting to enter the church. Many of them are people you know but haven’t seen in several years. You nod politely in their direction and continue to escort Gail until, at the last possible second, your eyes cross a familiar face waiting near the front door. He is sitting in a folding chair, separated from the rest of the crowd. He’s the only black man in the entire room. Gone is his usual zest and perpetual smile. He stares back at you with heavy sadness in his eyes and almost no emotion in his face at all.
It’s Toney—he’s actually here!
“Vulture,” he says, making the shape of the words rather than speaking them.
You pull in a quick breath but before you can address him, Gail slips away from you and suddenly the Reverend is at your side. He smiles at you and carefully tucks his hand in behind your arm, nudging you onward. Obediently, you fall in step and try to take one last glance back at Toney before you enter the church.
But he’s gone.