Many of the Everwood townsfolk did not understand the rituals performed over Ephram's casket. The rabbi was speaking in Hebrew, so many just kept silent and gave Ephram their own private send offs.
Amy watched the proceedings disjointedly, feeling she should not take part. After all, it was her fault Ephram was dead.
My fault? Amy asked herself, shocked at the revelation. I do blame myself for his death. I am responsible for this funeral! Her thoughts whirled around brokenly in her head. She took a deep breath to try and slow them down, but to no avail. She had tried to deny that to herself, these past three days, but she could ignore it no longer. She would have to face it, and deal with it on her own.
I killed Ephram to save Colin. Amy cast a sideways glance at Colin, who was sitting next to her. He caught her eye and smiled briefly, giving her hand a squeeze. Amy found herself unable to smile back.
Was it up to me to make that horrible decision? She asked herself. No longer was she even attempting to follow the ceremony, but focused instead on the battle waging inside her. Was it my choice? Did I make the right one?
Amy looked across the casket to the Brown family. There were only two now; father and daughter. Only two because of a decision. She looked down at the single stem rose she held in her hands. She meant to give it to Dr. Brown afterwards, to apologize for the horrible event.
Do I regret my decision? Amy asked herself. Do I? Did I save the wrong man?
Amy glanced at Colin again, trying to ignore the gnawing feeling in her stomach. She glanced to her other side, where Bright was sitting, moodily staring at the hole in the ground before them. Amy felt a pang of guilt. Bright thinks I made a mistake… Bright thinks I killed Ephram, too.
Finally, it came down to the part of the ceremony where the coffin would be lowered into the ground. Everyone stood expectantly, ignoring the drops of rain suddenly dripping from the sky. Words were being exchanged, but Amy couldn't quite hear them as she stared at the coffin, hating and fearing it all at the same time. The coffin began to move, lumbering into its place in the ground.
"Wait!" Amy said urgently, her eyes never leaving the coffin. Everyone looked at her in surprise—Colin, Bright, the Browns—but she didn't care anymore. Amy lifted the rose to her nose and sniffed, ignoring the tear that slid down her cheek. She stepped forward and laid down the red rose, right where she thought his heart would be. Stepping back, she was struck by how like Ephram's lips the rose was: so red and vibrant, a wonderful splash of color in a dreary day.
Goodbye, Ephram, she thought sadly, surprised at how miserable she felt inside. Wiping hastily at her eyes, she nodded that she was done. She watched the coffin enter the ground, and as soon as it hit the earth, she turned on her heels and walked away.