Chapter 6. Dirty Tiled Floor

DYLAN

As I promised Ashlene, we went to fetch her mother’s remains. On our way home, she was hugging the ceramic jar with Klaire Ridley’s name in bold black letters across the middle. She was in the backseat of the car, having a quiet moment with the ashen remains. I could only check on her every now and then through the rearview mirror.

“Do you have somewhere to stop by, Ash?” I asked. We were already leaving the crowded areas of the city.

“None. Just bring me home.”

“We haven’t eaten lunch yet.”

“I know. But there’s a lot of food at home.”

I nodded and dismissed the topic. Moments later, she went back to talking to her mother, and I drove quietly until we reached the house.

“Would you like me to cook you something?”

But my question fell on deaf ears. She didn’t reply as she walked out of the car and headed straight to the house. One woman met her halfway and asked for the ceramic jar, but Ash shook her head and took it to one room he