Everyone upstairs could hear their conversation.
	"Is this a bad day? Because I can come over some other time," 
Emily asked Anna.
	"No, it's ok. Your mom is picking you up in a while anyways," 
Anna replied.
	A little while later, Lindsay honked the horn. She didn't 
want to come in, it would bring back too many memories. In the car, 
about half way to their house, Lindsay asked Emily some questions.
	"So, how was it over there?"
	"Mom, it was like a war zone. If they're not yelling, they're 
crying. Saying things like, 'If you would've swerved the other way, 
you'd be dead!' and 'If you wouldn't have told her to sit in the front 
by you, you'd be dead!' and then 'At least that would've been better 
than having her die!' Do you have any idea what they're yelling about?
The house seemed so peaceful before we got there," Emily asked, as a 
tear slid down Lindsay's cheek.
	"Yeah."
	"Mom what? Why are you crying?"
	"You know how I told you about my best friend, Beth, who died 
in a car accident? Well, Anna's dad was going out with Beth when she 
died. It was 20 years ago today."
	"Oh man, I'm so sorry."

	The next day, they flew to Minnesota to meet Walker, Diana, 
Jess, Avie, Mackenzie, and Zoë. They all greeted each other and went 
to meet the governor at a morge. Zoë was too little to know Beth.
	Mackenzie only remembered always asking, "When's Bethy coming 
home?"
	Avery remembered some, and Jess remembered a little more. They
all sat down  on a chair and talked with the governor , who was 
holding a large envelope.
	"I would like to tell you all honestly that I, or anyone else, 
didn't read these letters, and I would like to ask the person who was 
closest to Beth, if they would like to read them. You may keep any 
articals that we found in the coffin, and those are in this envelope," 
the governor said.
	Taylor reached for he envelope, looked around the room, then 
pulled out the letters, which read:
	Beth,
		I always thought I would die before any of you kids. 
        Even though I'm not your real dad, we grew to love each other.
        I'm happy that you'll be with your family again.
		-Walker

	Beth,
		It doesn't seem real that you're gone. You were like a
        daughter to me. You were so sweet and caring to everyone. You 
        are like a star shining broghtly at night, then fading away in 
        the morning light. Our whole family will miss you dearly, but
	we will always keep you alive in our hearts.
		Love,
		Diana

	Beth,
		Thank you for watching Mary Poppin's with me. When 
        are you coming back? I love you.
		Mac

	Beth,
		I miss you. You were the only one to stick up for me 
        when my brothers picked on me. 
		Avie

	Beth,
		I miss you so much. You were like the older sister I 
        never had. Nothing's the same around here without you. I will 
        look forward to the day when we meet again.
		Jess

	Beth,
		I'm so sorry. You were like a sister to me and I miss 
        you so much. If I could have only swerved the other  way, you 
        might still be here. Everyone tells me it wasn't my fault, but 
        I can't help but feel guilty. I was driving and I was supost 
        to be responsible for all you guys. I know you're old enough 
        to take care of yourself, but I'm older and have to look out 
        for you. I hope you forgive me.
		Isaac

	Beth,
		So, what's it like up there? Is it everything it's 
        thought to be? How's your family? And Kate's? And Kristin's? 
        Guess we won't be going on that cruise after all, huh? I'm 
        glad you're in a place now where it doesn't hurt to laugh. 
        Being without laughing wouldn't be very exciting. I miss 
        having you to fight with. And now I can't tease Taylor about 
        having a girfriend. I'll see you, someday.
		Later,
		Zac

	Beth,
		Everynight tears spring to my eyes think of you. I 
        miss you so much, you were such a good friend. I'll miss your 
        friendship so much, but I know we'll meet again someday in the 
        presence of God. And we'll be just as good of friends in 
        heaven, as we were on Earth. I will think of you every day 
        until I die. When it is my turn, I know we will meet again. 
        This is not goodbye, it's just I'll see you later.
		-Kate

	Beth,
		I can't believe I'm writing this letter. Everyhting is 
        so different down here. Everyone misses you so much. Poor 
        Mackie wakes up everyday asking if Beth's home yet. No one has 
        the heart to tell him you're never walking through that door
        again. How do you explain death to a 4 year old? He watches 
        Mary Poppin's at least three times a day. Taylor locked 
        himself in his room for two days. He turned the radio on so 
        loud, he blew the speakers. Tay wouldn't let anybody in.
	Everything is like a blur. I'm glad we broke-up the band when 
        we did, because we did it as a band. I'm sorry I never got the 
        chance to say goodbye, but goodbye isn't forever unless you 
        let it be. I know I'll see you in heaven. So, until then, 
        goodbye Beth.
			-Kristin
		I loved you like a sister, we practically were.
			I'll see you.

	Beth,
		I thought we were ment to be forever, but I guess the 
        Lord works in mysterious ways. I wish you were still here to 
	spend your life with me. I will love you forever, and I will 
	never forget you no matter what. Sometimes I think my heart is 
	juat a window, that reviels a world I'll never leave behind. 
	But sometimes looking back at the good times helps me remember 
	how far I've come with time. When all is said and done, I know 
	that you, love, will always be there. I wish that I could 
	reach out and wrap my arms around you once again. You were 
	much more that a friend, you were a companion, someone who I 
	could talk to about anything.
		I love you,
		Taylor

	After Taylor read each letter, he looked in the envelope once 
more before asking his question.
	"Did you find a silver ring in the coffin?" 
	"I'm sorry. It might have deteriorated over the past 20 years,"
answered the governor.
	"How can silver deteriorate, and paper not?" Isaac asked.
	"I have no idea, but there was not a ring found."
	"If there wasn't a ring, it wasn't her," Taylor replied.
	"Well, we still have to check the dental records, so if it's 
not her, you'll figure out exactly who this is."
	"Thank you," Diana said, as everyone left.
	Zoë was kind of bored during all of this, but kind of 
facinated because she heard some stories about Beth, but never really 
knew her.