Cherished  pg 6

After speaking at the lectern, he walked to the head of the six-sided container.  During his walk, several people, wearing similarly colored clothing, gathered around the sides and foot of the container.

Three times he thumped with his open palm on the head of the container.  With each thump, he called out in an authoritative tone.  In response to each of his calls, those gathered around uttered the same word.

Thereafter, they all raised their hands above their heads.  With their fingers pointed upwards and seeming to gently flutter, they began humming.  Their bodies swayed to the rhythm of the hum.

Their fluttering fingers, their humming, and their swaying bodies combined to convey a sense of something intangible — something ethereal.

Three successive times the call was "June Ross."

Three successive times the response was "absent."

Goodbye, June Ross.

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