"It's more a money thing than anything else. Otherwise I could literally pack a bag and go for Tuesday, after the funeral." She returned the hug gratefully. "I guess ... I mean, I have a little bit of the money I got to shut up and go away left. It'd probably be enough to get a round-trip ticket out. I'm sure they'd understand if I went away for a few days."

"... and sometime when things are better, I want to drag some friends to Winnipeg for a fun trip." She sighed and managed a wan smile. "Someday."