SPOILERS: None.
A/N: I think this chapter marks the halfway point! Thanks again for the reviews! I will update soon... enjoy.
Sara took her time as she showered and got dressed. As she pulled on a navy blue cashmere sweater she heard the front door close. She looked out the bedroom window and watched the well-wishers retreat to their cars. Although she was grateful for their concern for her mother, she was glad they were gone. She was not in the mood for small talk with her parent's friends. Sara descended the stairs and made a beeline for the kitchen. She didn't have much of an appetite, but a persistent throbbing headache told her she needed to eat.
Diana was standing in front of an open fridge, trying to find room for another casserole.
"Good morning." Sara leaned against the counter across from her mother.
"Good morning honey, you're up early." Diana replied as she forced the fridge to shut despite it's overflowing shelves.
"I don't really keep track of the time when it comes to sleep."
"Oh yes, you work the nightshift don't you?"
"Yes mother, for some time now."
Sara had never had a close relationship with her mother. Although her mother liked to pretend that they did. She preferred to see her world through rose-tinted glasses. It was as if she could not face the reality of her life. When she was living at home, Sara could never understand how her mother made excuses for her father's brutal behavior. As Sara got older, she decided that perhaps it was the only way her mother could cope and keep a semblance of normality, if only for her children's sake.
"What were you and Dylan arguing about earlier?" Sara watched her mother carefully while waiting for her reply.
Diana turned away and walked towards the pantry. "Sorry if we woke you. It was nothing really. I want to have a floral wreath with your father's picture in it displayed at the funeral and Dylan doesn't. We can't have an open casket viewing at the funeral home so I thought a picture might be nice. But, it's upsetting to him so I let it go. So, what would you like for breakfast?" Diana asked opening the pantry door.
The quick subject change caught Sara off guard and it took a moment for her to respond. "Um, whatever, something easy with no meat." She had wanted to question her mother further but decided to wait and see what Dylan had to say.
"How about my famous blueberry pancakes?"
Just then Dylan entered the kitchen, as if on cue.
"Did I hear something about mom's pancakes?"
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Sara helped her mom clear the breakfast dishes and they loaded the dishwasher. After they finished, Diana headed to the laundry room and Sara seized the opportunity to speak to Dylan alone. She found him sitting in the living room reading the New York Times.
"Where did you find that newspaper around here?' Sara asked as she collapsed on the couch.
Without looking up Dylan said "I didn't, I brought it with me."
"So, I heard you and mom arguing earlier. What was it about?"
Dylan continued to stare at his paper. "It was no big deal, what did mom say?'
"Something about the funeral."
"Yeah, she wanted a picture of dad at the funeral home and I didn't. End of story."
Sara stood up and walked to the bay window. Damn. Maybe they're telling the truth. No, something is going on. If they won't tell me, then I guess I'll have to start investigating.
"So mom said you were making all the arrangements for the service. When is it?"
"Saturday. I tried to set it up for tomorrow but the funeral home was booked. Mom wanted a simple service at the funeral home and family only at the gravesite."
"What family besides us is coming?"
"I think just Aunt Ruth and her husband. Everyone else on mom's side had excuses. Dad's parents are dead and we don't know where his brother is now. Maybe he'll see the obituary and show up. Who knows."
Sara sighed and sat back on the couch. "What's left to do? Can I help?"
Dylan looked up and thought for minute. "Actually, yes. I forgot to send a final draft of the obituary to the Point Reyes Examiner. It's posted in the Tamales Bay Ledger but mom thought the Examiner would be good too since so many of their old friends live up there now. I have the number if you wouldn't mind calling them.
"No problem, where's the number?"
Dylan started to stand up but Sara stopped him. "Just tell me and I'll get it, you relax."
"Oh, thanks. It's in a pocket of my jacket which I think is on my bed."
Sara entered Dylan's bedroom and saw his jacket lying on the bed. She scanned the room hastily and quietly searched the dresser and nightstand drawers for any evidence that she was being lied to. So far, nothing. As she searched for the phone number in his jacket pockets she pulled out several other pieces of paper. In the left inside pocket she found a small folder, it was folded in half and labeled "American Airlines" Sara opened the folder and pulled out Dylan's plane ticket. She took one look at it and knew this was the evidence she was looking for.
TBC