In Memory of Mark and (MN State Representative) Melissa Hortman

Intake was interrupted by a person from Concierge; they whispered something in Peter's ear and he nodded. "Go slowly," he advised. "Anything they want but, of course, the obvious." The souls in line talked amongst themselves and asked outright about the ones who were missing. "Some are brought through a side entrance," Peter explained gently. "This is the case when there's a great deal of shock and confusion, where it may be difficult to believe and accept that they're here. It is a quieter, slower process of support and growing awareness." Someone in the back started to whisper, but Peter continued, "Don't. Don't do that, please. I can vouch for the fact that it is NOT easier that they're both here at the same time. Don't cancel your reservation with ridiculous conjecture." "Sorry," one of the conjectors responded quietly, "but is it all right to ask what the 'obvious' is? They can have anything but the 'obvious', you said." "It's to go back, isn't it?" Peter asked rhetorically. "It's almost always to go back for the others, for the purpose, for one more day even." And they were lost in reflection after that (the ones in line), because that was true even though some of them had lived almost 100 years.