“Death is the sound of distant thunder at a picnic.” - W. H. Auden

Years later, whenever the subject of "that terrible day" was brought up, no one could quite remember exactly why Great Aunt Tibby and Grand Uncle Thunk hadn't gone to help little CeeCee when it became clear something was amiss. Some said it was their ingrained sense of decorum which just naturally prevented them from making a scene by attempting to run across the sand. Others thought it had something to do with the fact that they had just finished luncheon twenty minutes before and everyone knew, back then, that you shouldn't go near the water until at least an hour after eating.

When in her cups, Mother used to say darkly that anyone who had known CeeCee at all well wouldn't even raise the question.