Chapter 25. Excluded

DYLAN

Ashlene and I sat on the bench for the next few minutes… and people kept coming through the door. I was not certain if there had been some news in a public newspaper or something about this wake. As far as I remember, the family (especially Ashlene) only wanted to grieve in silence and in private. What was this?

Perhaps Seth had a different plan for the family?

“They just don’t stop coming in, do they?” Ashlene said.

“They don’t… or perhaps this is only because it’s the first night? Maybe tomorrow, there won’t be as many visitors.”

She looked at me with a blank expression. Was it something I said?

“I don’t think so.”

“Sorry. What happened to the original plan anyway? I thought you all only wanted to grieve in private.”

Ashlene shrugged. After all, she didn’t have the upper hand in the family. Whatever Seth and Anton decided, she was bound to follow them. No matter what it was.

“Whatever it will be, though, I’m here for you,