<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 horrible 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. And what about Matthew? She wasn’t even sure he would come at all. Still, she would prepare rooms for all of the children, as she always did. And hopefully, they would 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 someone 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. The next one used to be for Matthew, before that mother of his started getting in trouble. She really hoped he wouldn’t follow in her footsteps. Good thing all rooms were big enough for a double bed, in case Alexis or Matthew came with someone.<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. The last thing they needed was for him to drink too much and start mistreating poor Pam.<br/><br/>Once that was done, 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. “Oh, I remember you…”, he started, taking a step back to allow entrance. The old butler touched his forehead, looking for the name, and looked hopefully to the visitor, almost begging for some help. He shook his head, in a dissatisfied way, as though saying that he was unhappy with his own lack of memory for names.</div>