Deep lines carved across Phelps Lawson''s face as he furrowed his brow.


    "And where''s Jessica?"


    All eyes turned to Timothy, waiting for an answer.


    How could Jessica note home for such an important family holiday?


    Still bristling, Timothy muttered, "She went back to her hometown."


    Sallie''s voice snapped, "Doesn''t she know today is for honoring our ancestors?"


    "That''s right, Timothy. She married into the Lawson family. She''s one of us now. How can she skip it?"


    Naylor Lawson, Timothy''s father, looked equally displeased.


    Timothy nced around with a frosty edge in his voice. "And where''s Rebekah?"


    N piped up quickly, "My mom went to visit her own family."


    Naylor immediately grabbed N''s arm. "Don''t butt in."


    Timothy gave a cold snort. "If Rebekah can go home to her folks, why can''t Jessica?"


    N mped her lips shut, silently cursing her own loose tongue.


    Naylor''s face was tinged with embarrassment. "Rebekah has family back home. Jessica''s folks are all gone. What''s the point of her going back?"


    Timothy''s tone dropped to a chill. "No family left, but the graveyard''s still there, isn''t it?"


    "Enough! All of you, stop it. It''ste already-let''s go," Phelps cut in, mming the brakes on their bickering. Visiting the graves mattered more than squabbling, and he had no time to hash things out with Timothy about announcing Jessica''s situation.


    The family set out for the cemetery.


    At the Lawsons'' family plot, everyone gathered solemnly around the headstones, waiting for Phelps to give the signal so they could pay their respects.


    Suddenly, Phelps turned to face them. "Where are the offerings?"


    A stunned silence fell as the Lawsons exchanged baffled nces.


    Phelps thumped his cane on the ground in frustration. "I asked, where are the offerings? Don''t tell me the great Lawson family couldn''t even bring something to honor our ancestors!"


    Ever since Jessica joined the family, she had always handled the arrangements for the memorial. The others had simply left it to her every year.


    Naylor hung his head, embarrassment coloring his voice. "Jessica always took care of it before. I just assumed she''d do it again this year. I didn''t even think to check."


    Phelps clutched his chest in anger, and Sallie hurried to steady him.


    N couldn''t help but grumble, "Grandpa, you shouldn''t me Dad. Big Sis-in-w always did it before. This year she suddenly stopped, didn''t say a word. I think she did this on purpose to embarrass us."


    Naylor jumped to agree, “Exactly! If she wasn''ting, she should have told us in advance. Then I would''ve made arrangements. This is all Jessica''s fault, not mine."


    Phelps looked like he might just whack Naylor with his cane.


    "How did I raise such a useless son?"


    Henry looked up at Timothy. "Dad, maybe we should hurry and buy some offerings now?"


    Whenever Jessica prepared the memorial offerings, she''d tell Henry that everything they had was because of the family''s ancestors. Honoring them wasn''t just tradition—it was a virtue that should be passed down through generations. Even though Henry was young, he understood how important this day was for the Lawsons.


    Timothy was irritated that Jessica hadn''t sorted out the offerings, especially since it was such a significant day. But he knew there was no point in fuming. Problems needed solutions, not more anger, and there was no time to waste.


    "I''ll take care of it," Timothy said, already moving to fix the mess. "Timothy."


    A familiar female voice called out just then.