Few people came to Mike's funeral. It was a work day and most
people couldn't afford to lose a day's money. Only Jim and Mae
Braddock and their three children stood with Sara Wilson and her
baby daughter as Mike's body was put into the ground.
Jim spoke of Mike's love for his family, his wife. He didn't say
what he felt—that Mike's death was a waste, a stupid, unnecessary
waste. Jim understood why people got angry, but Mike's anger
hadn't helped his wife or his daughter. Jim wished he had known
how bad things had become for his friend. He couldn't forget
how kind Mike had been to him when he started working at the
docks.
Mae's attention was on Sara, whose eyes were far away. She
seemed to be staring into the long future that waited for her
without her husband.
As she looked at Sara, part of Mae wondered if she was looking
into a mirror of her own future. Maybe not today or tomorrow—
but one day she might lose Jim.