(My mother has died the day before and I am still deeply in shock. My cousin’s daughter is trying to distract me with conversation, specifically about her album collection.)

Little Cousin: “So, I got a couple more CDs last night.”

Me: “Mm-hmm.”

Little Cousin: “And the new Michael Jackson.”

Me: “That’s nice, dear.”

Little Cousin: “What? Why do you say that?”

Me: “Huh? Oh, I guess it’s just a polite response.”

Older Cousin: “It means she doesn’t care about Michael Jackson. Hush, she just lost her mom!”

(The little cousin snuggles against my arm for the rest of the car ride. Later, we are at the funeral where my drama queen grandmother is making a scene about how hard it is to lose her daughter and how no one is suffering like she is. I again, am in shock.)

Grandmother: “You’re so cruel. I’m suffering!”

Me: “Oh, that’s nice, dear.”

Little Cousin: “That means shut up. She just lost her mom!”