“So when wood burns in a closed system,” said Ms. Gribbons, “it creates gas, liquid, and ash. Nothing’s ever truly lost; it just changes form.”

Michael raised his hand.

“Yes, Mike?”

“My Dad says that, but I never believe him.”

“Why not?”

“He says it when I miss my Mom.”

Jennifer L Freed usually writes poetry. She uses her middle initial in her bios because people have Googled her and landed on another writer with the same first and last names. For more, please visit jfreed.weebly.com.