Sorely Missed

I was welcoming my class of ten year olds when a boy came over looking very upset.

“What’s up, James?” I asked. “My uncle has died this morning,” he replied.

“I am so sorry, James,” I consoled. “How old was he?”

James told me that he was 85. “He’s lived a long life. Is that why you’re so upset?” I asked.

“No,” he replied, “I’m upset because he hadn’t given me his sponsor money for the spelling fundraiser.”