The television played on the wall as we huddled around in the waiting room after he died

after they “cleaned him up” 

after we saw his lifeless body and my grandmother said, “That’s not him.” 

The television played on the wall as we filled out paperwork to tell the hospital where to send the dead body and who should cut him open 

The television played on the wall when we remembered his favorite suit. “He will want to wear that suit,” she said

The television played on the wall as we explained to my grandmother that she did not need to put his dentures back in- the mortician would take care of that

The television played as we retold the story of my grandfather coming out of surgery and giving the doctor a thumbs up before coding twice

The television played on the wall as the stranger walked by and stopped to say, “Oh, are you all watching Star Wars?” 

The television played on.