The chapel went quiet after Jocelynn finished explaining the storybook that had been precious to her and Ashlynn both. It was clear to everyone sitting in the pews that she needed time to face the memories that came with such an important relic of their shared childhood, and no one begrudged her that time.
Outside, the sky continued to brighten, pouring more light through the stained glass window behind Jocelynn and the altar. Filtered through the colored glass, the sunrise bathed the chapel in warm hues of gold and amber light, with traces of blue and green at the edges of the chapel to mark the sky and verdant hills depicted in the stained glass window.
Eventually, Jocelynn shook herself free of the currents of memories that threatened to pull her under, setting down the well-worn book and reaching into the chest for the next item.
