Ashley Miller sat down primly in the chair, diagonally across from the undertaker. She straightened out her power suit and crossed her legs demurely. The suit gave her strength for what she was going to do.
This was the first time she had to see an undertaker alone. The last time was for her mother, and Mr. Miller (never Dad) made all the arrangements with the same precision and coldness as he did for his clients. A prominent attorney, it was only fitting that his eldest daughter go into law and the practice as well. She would handle it the same way, and make her father proud.
“First, I am sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you,” she said. She would be hearing that a lot.
“Are there any special wishes that he would have? Such as charities in lieu of flowers?”
“No, no, my father was not altruistic.” Ah, a big word, a lawyerly word. She would certainly impress the undertaker with that.
However, he continued with questions, such as his full name, her mother’s name and the year she was deceased; brothers, sisters –
The door opened, and a handsome man in a flannel shirt, jeans, and workboots came in. “Hey, sorry I’m late.”
Ashley suddenly bristled. She was going to take care of it all. Not this…this…
“I’m sorry, you are..?”
“Billy Miller. William Miller’s son.”
“William,” said Ashley coldly in way of greeting.
Billy opened his mouth to say something, then closed it. Instead, he sat down next to Ashley. The undertaker glanced between the two for a moment before continuing. “Are there any other children?”
“Yes—“ said Billy.
“No—“ said Ashley.
The undertaker looked from one to the other again.
Ashley sighed and explained, “I have a half sister somewhere in Oregon.”
“Yeah, like you have a half-brother right here.”
Said the undertaker, “I assume that your half-sister has not been informed.”
“I don’t know where she is.”
“You don’t look very hard,” said Billy. “I’m sure you can find her with all your lawyer connections.”
“Yes, in rehab, I am sure.”
“That’s harsh.”
Ashley turned cold blue eyes at Billy. “You don’t have to be here for this.”
“The hell I don’t!”
“Excuse me,” said the undertaker, and they both turned to him. “The sooner we get through this information, the sooner I can begin work.” He turned to Billy. “Was your mother married to him?”
“Nope. He left us when I was eight.”
Ashley snorted. Billy gave her a look before continuing. “I want put her name in?”
Said Ashley, “I don’t think that’s necessary.”
“What’re you protecting him for? He’s dead now.” Billy glared at her.
“I am protecting the name of the firm.”
“Oh, right, which you think you’ll inherit? I’d be real surprised.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
The undertaker again stepped in. “Excuse me. Maybe I should give you this form, and you two can hash it out. You did bring the clothes I asked?”
“Yes, of course.” She handed him one of her father’s best suits, still in its dry-cleaning bag. There was even a tie to match.
“Yep, that’s him all right,” Billy said disgustedly.
There was a knock on the door. “Excuse me,” the undertaker said, and went to answer it.
“Thanks for telling me, sis,” Billy growled at Ashley.
“I would have told you afterward.”
“After what? After you got the will read?”
“After the funeral. You don’t need to be here. I can take care of things on my own.”
“Just because dad screwed two women other than your mother – and you’re supposedly the only one that—“
“Excuse me, sir?” asked the undertaker. “You drive the 18-wheeler?”
“Yeah?”
“It’s blocking the driveway.”
“Oh. Damn, thought I gave enough clearance. I’ll go move it.”
He got up and darted back out the door. Ashley uttered the sigh of the weary, as the undertaker closed the door. He looked at Ashley. “I know it’s none of my business, but I’ve seen this kind of thing happen before. I know you’re trying to spare any embarrassment to your father’s name, but if they crash this funeral, it could get ugly for you and for us.”
Ashley imagined for a moment the rednecks that William – no, Billy – would possibly bring. And how drunk, high, or both Heather would be. If she just bit the bullet, officially informed Billy and let him pretend to make some of the decisions, and also told Heather (who probably wouldn’t be able to come to Kentucky from Oregon anyway, so that would be moot), the possibility of the funeral turning into a version of the Jerry Springer Show would be lessened.
“I see,” was all she said in response to the undertaker’s advice. “Let us continue.”
She continued giving information as Billy came back in. Billy was quiet. She would turn to him and ask, “Is that right?” to thinks she knew he didn’t know. She was in control again, and she would make sure that not even Billy or Heather would ruin this moment of grief for her.
Words: 851
Inspiration: While driving by a funeral home, I saw a big-rig blocking the driveway. Why would he be blocking the driveway of a funeral home? Unless he was protesting…