“Dearly beloved…”

“We have gathered here today to get through this thing called life.”
- Prince

Nothing makes me laugh harder than a classic Kelly moment. Our family had a giant station wagon growing up. You know the type, with the front seat, the middle, and of course, the coveted “way back.” In my family, you didn’t half step. You sat in the front or the way back, because the middle was for babies. Two giant car seats took up the middle, belonging to “the babies,” Kelly and Chloe, which left space for one of us to be in the front, and one of us in the way back, daydreaming. That’s how Kelly was able to escape without anyone noticing.

Our family friend Terrance had been begging mama for a play date for months, being brushed off each time. So one day, while our mothers turned a quick visit into a conversation about everything and nothing, he plucked Kelly out of her car seat for an impromptu play date. We made it all the way home (seven minutes, to be fair) before we realized Kelly wasn’t in the car. Mama was going inside to call the police, but first had to answer the ringing phone. Terrence’s sister Tammelle between cackles told my mother, “Count your children.” Terrance earned his play date, and Kelly stayed for another hour.

I remember the quiet. My sisters and I played but there was something missing. “It’s just weird when Kelly’s not around,” I said and mama chuckled and sang, “Ain’t No Sunshine When She’s Gone.” We all had our own strong individual personalities and friendship groups, but we were four. Something…