Creative Writing: Funerals

"I don't know, maybe this is too frilly to wear to a funeral."

Dora Winfield looked up from the Medical Transcription she was typing and snorted. Her coworker, Lillian, was holding up a silky black dress that seemed more suited to a costume party than a memorial service.

"You're asking me for fashion advice?"

"Funeral advice," Lillian explained. "I've never actually been to one."

Dora raised her eyebrows. "Alright then, take it from an old pro: the less skin you show, the better."

"Especially since I'll be meeting Jared's entire extended family." Lilian replied, nodding thoughtfully. Jared was her boyfriend of two years. She hardly ever talked about anyone else. "I have to make a good impression."

"I suppose." Dora had been more concerned about showing respect for the dead.

"Maybe I ought to stop by the mall on my way home."

Dora turned back to her computer without comment. Usually, her coworker's frivolous nonsense didn't bother her much. It was even comical at times. Funerals, however, were not a subject that she enjoyed.

"What about you, Dora?" The silk dress dropped to the floor with a whisper. Lillian collapsed into her office chair, letting it spin around slowly. "It's Friday. Do you have a date tonight?"

"I bet you can guess my answer, word for word," replied Dora. Lillian sighed dramatically.

"Not tonight," she warbled, attempting to imitate Dora's pragmatic way of speaking. "I'm taking the kids to the YMCA. Or to the zoo. Or to the airport, to watch the planes take off. Max just loves to watch the planes take off!"

"Impressive," said Dora dryly. "But we're actually going to the park tonight."

"You do realize that these aren't your kids, right? You don't have to hover over them every spare moment. It's not like you have a lot of moments to