A Pattern of Shadows

Shawn’s stomach clenched at his father’s words, and he looked across the rows of wooden pews to the coffin where his best friend lay in his uncomfortable suit. A quiet murmuring chatter danced among the mourners, pleasantries exchanged about what a good boy Tanner had been, how the family had endured more than their share of tragedies over the years, and why it was perfectly understandable that Tanner’s sister was having a hard time coping with her loss. Shawn just wanted them all to shut up. He needed this day to be over. More than anything, he desperately needed his friend back.