Leo put all his weight into lifting the brass latch.
The silver knife was lying right near his small foot.
He grabbed the knife and jammed it into the hinge.
With a hard pop, the lock mechanism snapped open wide.
Richard lunged forward to stop the boy's frantic effort.
Uncle Richard: Don't you dare lift that cover off now!
Cousin Mark ran forward and held Richard's strong arms back.
Cousin Mark: Let the boy open it if it calms him!
Uncle Richard: Get your hands off me right this instant!
Leo pulled hard on the heavy polished wooden coffin lid.
The top lifted with a loud creaking wooden pop sound.
The heavy wooden cover tipped back against the rear wall.
Every person in the room leaned forward to look inside.
A collective wave of sudden horror washed over the crowd.
Inside the casket lay Leo's young fair-skinned mother, Ellen.
She was wearing her neat black Sunday dress inside there.
Her body was bound tightly with gray heavy duct tape.
More thick tape was wrapped firmly around her mouth area.
Her dark eyes were wide open in pure terror and shock.
She made muffled screaming sounds through the thick gray tape.
Her chest was rising and falling rapidly in heavy gasps.
Leo: Mommy, you are alive just like I said!
Richard stood frozen in place as his face turned pale white.
The American flag framed above seemed to shine brightly down.
A loud orchestral wave of gasps filled the silent room.
Aunt Sarah: Oh my God, she is breathing in there!
Cousin Mark: What in the world did you do, Richard?
Richard took two slow steps backward toward the exit doors.
His hands were shaking wildly at his broad waist sides.
Uncle Richard: This is a massive misunderstanding, I can explain!
Cousin Mark: Do not move an inch away from us!
Leo climbed onto the side bench to reach his mother.
He reached his hands down into the padded wooden coffin.
Leo: I am going to get you out right now!
His small fingers grabbed the corner of the face tape.
He pulled the sticky gray tape away with a sound.
Ellen gasped loudly for air, taking in deep breaths instantly.
Ellen: Leo, my sweet baby, you saved my life!