We both lost our spouses in October, while the leaves were still decaying in brilliant hues—colors that felt personal this time, neon signs pointing at our losses. I had left him just the week before, and was numbly packing and making plans, when I got the call from Sara, telling me that her dear friend’s wife had suddenly passed. She asked if I would play piano for the funeral.

I set aside the boxes and began working on the setlist that afternoon.

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