Thinking of how Mom later developed stomach cancer from paying off Dad's debts, how I was bullied and missed out on my dream college, eventually dying miserably on the streets, anger surged within me.
"My dear Dad! How tragic your death is!"
I shouted, and everyone in the hall looked at me.
I pinched my thigh hard, crying hysterically.
"Dad, I didn't even get to see you one last time, how could you leave us!"
Relatives around tried to comfort me.
Some wiped their tears, saying, "This poor girl, so young and now without a father."
I walked to Dad's coffin, trembling, and lay on it wailing.
"Dad, I want to see you one last time. I miss you so much."
My cries moved everyone present.
Everyone said that the girl should see her father one last time.
Grandma's face changed slightly. She approached me. "Lorraine, your father is gone. Don't disturb him."
I pushed her hand away. "Nonsense! Dad appeared in my dream last night, saying he couldn't bear to leave me, that he wasn't really dead."
As soon as I spoke, people on both sides rushed over to help me open the coffin to see Dad one last time.
But Grandma blocked them firmly, refusing to let them get close.
Seeing my sorrow, Mom spoke up.