Secluded

  When I was little, our main contact with the outside world was through listening to the radio, mostly in the evening.  Whenever there was a tragedy or serious misfortune of some kind, the afflicted family was reported to be "secluded in their home."  Depending on the nature of the tragedy, police officers were often posted outside to insure the family's privacy.  For certainly no afflicted person would want to be subject to public scrutiny.  Not back then.
   I used to wonder what it was like inside the secluded house.  I pictured  a blazing fireplace in a spacious home, making it seem warm and protected from the coldness and bitterness of the horrible thing that had happened to them.  I knew the house would be filled with family members and relatives, and close family friends, all walking throughout the house, seeking each other out to offer comfort, and make them feel better.  I couldn't think what was said though. I understood they were talking, almost constant conversation I assumed, but what words did they use?   I tried to imagine being secluded in my own house, with security outside insuring our privacy, but I had no idea who in our family would do the comforting and what in the world would they say anyway?