<div style="text-align: justify;">While everyone was making their way to the old house where Grandma Maude had lived her entire life, Aunt Bess was busy making sure everything was all right. She had made a point of calling all of the remaining family members, hoping that they would be able to come to the funeral. Working also helped her fill her mind. The house seemed so empty now… When Father was alive, it was a much brighter place. Father - or Grandpa John - had always been much better with dealing with the new generations than Grandma Maude. Everyone loved him, and when he had passed, the house seemed to become empty, even when everyone was around. <br/><br/>With a soft groan, the woman started up the stairs. Time had passed. The children were now all grown up. Pamela had married that <span style="font-style: italic">horrible</span> man. What she saw in him, only God knew. Alexis had changed so much she barely recognized her. Not only the hair. Everything about her had changed. She remembered how distressed Mother had gotten the first time she had seen Alexis with the new hair color. Those children, never happy about anything. Still, she would prepare rooms for all of the children, as she always did. And hopefully, they would all come, at least this time. <br/><br/>First room, for Pam and that husband of hers. Pam always came, no matter what. She had been the only one to come for Christmas last year. At least <span style="font-style: italic">someone</span> had. With a sigh, she made sure they had everything they would need. The few people who still worked there were also old, so Aunt Bess did a lot of the work around the house to make work lighter for them. Next room would be for Alexis, in case she would come. Everything seemed to be in order as well. Opening the windows, Bess let some air come in. Good thing all rooms were big enough for a double bed, in case Alexis brought her boyfriend along with her.<br/><br/>Pausing to rest, the woman went downstairs. She had to make sure there would be something for them to eat. All of them would probably have a long drive, after all. And coffee, a fresh pot of coffee would have to be sent to the table. She remembered that man Pam had married liked it. Thinking of Peter reminded her of something. She had better have the liquor cabinet locked before the couple could arrive. The last thing they needed was for him to drink too much and start mistreating poor Pam.<br/><br/>Once that was taken care of, Bess was about to go into the kitchen and make sure everything there was in order, when she heard the doorbell ring. They were starting to come in. Everything better be in order. They would have the whole day ahead, as the funeral would be at four, so things better work out smoothly until then.<br/><br/>Letting out a sigh, Bess looked around. Everyone else seemed to be busy, so she’d better answer the door and get this over with. Before she could get to the door, though, the butler appeared out of nowhere and cleared his throat. With a sigh, Bess took a few steps back. She knew what Joseph meant without him needing to say anything. “All right, Joseph, I’m sorry”, she apologized with a sad smile. “I will check if we have coffee. Please, do what you do best and make whoever it is feel welcome”, she requested.<br/><br/>Whoever was at the door could still see the black dress disappearing behind the butler, before he addressed them. “Hello, Miss Pam, Mr. Peter, come on in”, the man beckoned the couple inside. Peter walked in carrying the bags, while Pamela cradled the puppy in her arms. “Hello, Joseph”, Pamela greeted, shifting the dog to one arm and giving the man a half-hug. “Are we the first ones in?”, Pamela asked, while Peter simply nodded to the butler and made his way up the stairs to get their things settled.<br/><br/>“You are indeed, Miss Bess called the entire family, I hope they all come”, the man replied, before looking into Pamela's eyes. “Will you be all right, Miss Pam?”, the man asked, since Pamela had basically lost a mother all over again. Pam sighed and nodded. “I will, thank you, Joseph. I will check if aunt Bess needs any help”, she replied, trying not to burst into tears and making her way into the kitchen. She would drop the puppy off in the bedroom if her help was needed, but for now, it made her feel a little less devastated to hold on to it.</div>