In the Blue of the Evening

“When you die, can I have your fur coats?” My mother was mortified, but it was an honest question I would ask my grandmother frequently, looking up at her with wild, excited eyes during our visits. My grandmother never skipped a beat, “Of course you can. Then you’ll be the most elegant woman in the whole wide world.” Pink-cheeked and missing teeth I’d stretch a wide, messy grin at the thought of how beautiful I’d look someday, just like her.