So the week went by at a crawl. Kyla was released from the hospital but on strict bed rest, only allowed to travel in a wheel chair for short amounts of time. Ashley felt so stretched out between taking care of her sister and taking care of her girlfriend who still hadn’t truly grasped the concept of Arthur being dead. She hardly spoke a word or ate.

School came and went and not one Davies’ or Carlin attended, wrapped up in their own world of grief to care about an education. Paula stayed in her bedroom; dry tears on his pillow as she held it close, taking in his scent. Sure they were divorcing, yes they had their problems and she did cheat but she loved him. In her twisted way she cared deeply for the man who fathered her children, helped her build a solid stable life.

Now it was time for the funeral, everyone was in their own rooms dressing and contemplating what would happen. Spencer didn’t care to dress in black, for that was the color of mourning and she didn’t deserve that right, she killed him and killers don’t get to be sorry or say good bye. She lay on her bed staring at the ceiling in jeans and nice blouse, no black but she still dressed nicely.

“Time to go!” Paula called as she passed thru the hallway. Glen and Clay exited their room each taking comfort in the other’s presence and followed their mother down the stairs, “Spencer!”

Shutting her eyes she tried to think about all the nightmares she’d been having, there was a message hidden deep with in them, she was sure but she could never remember, “Spencer!” this time it was her brother to call.

Sighing she stood up and walked down stairs, the three of them looking at her like she had two heads because she wasn’t dressed for a funeral. Shrugging her shoulders she pushed past them and entered the limo, and then they got in. The road seem to stretch out in a quiet desperation they all shared. Up toward the cemetery located ten miles north of where they lived, up on a hill top over looking the valley so maybe just maybe Arthur would look down and keep watch over his family.

The limo stopped and the now non complete family stepped out, clouds began to form over head, perfect for a day like today, she thought while the others found their seats out in front. Family and relatives lined the entire lawn, each giving some condolences and each word meaning nothing to her. Mouth suddenly dry she faced the iron gate leading into the cemetery, was she ready to venture in and accept what had happen, what she did…did that sin on her heart make stepping into this sacred ground impossible. Was she hurting her father more by being here?

A warm soft hand slipped into hers, glancing over she saw Ashley dressed in a black silky dress accenting all her curves and Spencer couldn’t help it as a smile crossed her lips, she can even make dressing for a funeral look sexy.

“Ready?” the soft husky voice Spencer grew to love asked quietly. Ashley’s eyes stared at her and Spencer swore her girlfriend could read everything hidden behind her face. The question simply was she ready, no she wasn’t. Not even close, she wasn’t ready to put her father in the ground, she wasn’t ready to say good bye but because it was her fault nobody cared if she was ready, except Ashley, she cared enough to stay by her side outside the iron gates until Spencer had the courage to venture in.

Gripping Ashley’s hand harder Spencer glanced up to the iron gate, one step and she would be inside the land of the dead, one step closer to being where she should have been after prom, where her father shouldn’t be, “Yeah….”

Ashley didn’t believe her one bit, but Spencer started moving forward into the cemetery so Ashley followed. They took their places in the front with the rest of the family and waited for the ceremony to start.

TBC.