88 — Could you give me a hug?

SELENA

It took days before the hospital released Edward's body to us, we made the necessary arrangements after and laid him to rest at the cemetery. It was a small, intimate gathering - just me, Christopher, Tony, and a few other neighbors who had been close to Edward. No family members of his showed up, and I found myself wondering if he had any family at all.

The absence of loved ones was a poignant reminder of how much we had come to care for Edward, and how much he had come to mean to us.

The reality of Edward's passing didn't truly hit me until hours after the burial. As the last of the well-wishers trickled away, it was just me and Christopher left, standing in silence beside the grave.

The gravity of the loss was tangible, and the feeling of emptiness was overwhelming. I knew that I would never again see Edward's warm smile or hear his laughter. It was a sobering moment, and one that would stay with me for a long time.

"Are you doing okay?" Christopher asked, gently placing h