Ashley woke up suddenly, sitting upright in the church pew. She couldn’t have been asleep for more than a few minutes, but it felt like it had been hours. Her body sagged from exhaustion; her mind already sinking back into a stupor. She lost hours at a time these days, and it was getting hard to focus. But her eyes were locked on the one thing she couldn’t ever forget.

Her mother’s coffin.

Ashley rose slowly, unconsciously stretching her lanky body. She was tall for a girl, just a few inches short of six feet. She brushed what used to be gorgeous black hair out of her face. Ashley had planned to wash and brush it to look good for her mother. That thought had been there last night, but suddenly it was morning. Dull brown eyes looked down at her black dress and she did her best to smooth the wrinkles out. People were starting to arrive.

They came in small groups and all did the same thing. They walked over to her mother’s coffin and gave their blessings. Then they would turn to Ashley and tell her they were sorry. Ashley was glad no one tried to speak to her. She didn’t know them, she didn’t like them, and as far as she knew, neither did her mother. Her mom had always been something of a loner. She’d spent most of her time with Ashley or nobody at all.

The minister asked everyone to be seated and started. “It’s always darkest before the dawn, but some days the sun never rises. All we can be sure of is the sun will return one day.”

Her mom had always said that. It was her way of saying there were bad times, but the good would always come back. You just had to be strong enough to survive until they got there. It seemed much harder to accept her role now. It was easier to roll over and let the world consume her than to fight back. She didn’t have a shoulder to cry on and didn’t much want one. She dug herself a dark hole in her mind and didn’t move.

Ashley wasn’t certain how long the sermon lasted. She barely remembered five minutes. At some point a group of men moved to take her mom away. She followed after everyone in the church had already gone. The pitiful way they looked at her was getting tiring.

Outside she was forced to squint. The day should have been gloomy, but it wasn’t. It was July in Sacramento, California, which meant it was sunny and clear. It was so hot she could already feel sweat forming under her dress. Nobody said any inspiring words as they lowered her mom into her final resting place. Once her mom was in the ground, everyone started to leave. Only a solitary woman with a flute remained to give the gravestone company.

Ashley didn’t know the woman, but she knew the music. It was the same song her mom used to play for her on her flute. It was a sad, but wild melody. Her mom used to play it late at night when she couldn’t fall asleep and even now it made Ashley drowsy. When the woman finished, she took a seat next to Ashley.

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. I’ve heard those words enough today.”

“I’m sure.”

“Who are you?”

“An old friend of Olivia’s.” Ashley flinched at the sound of her mom’s name. Confused, she glanced over at the woman. Old friend? This woman looked barely older than Ashley. She was dressed in a long black dress like Ashley with long black hair tightly bound in thick braids. Her eyes were a pale brown, almost yellow. She was a few inches taller and had a slightly fuller body.

“How did you know her?”

“That is a story for another time. Here, this is for you.” She passed the flute case over and put it in Ashley’s lap. “I understand your mother was teaching you how to play?”

“A little.”

“You’ll find sheets of music in there for the songs I just played. They were your mom’s favorites. If you ever need a reminder of better times, just play one of her melodies. Music has a way of fixing everything.”

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“My mom used to say that.”

“And she was right.” They sat in silence for a moment before the woman stood up and squeezed her hand. “You’ll be alright. I promise.”

“What’s your name?”

“I don’t remember anymore.” And she left without an explanation, vanishing before Ashley could notice.

After another minute Ashley left her mom with a goodbye. It seemed easier now. There wasn’t anything to say goodbye to but the open air. She took the flute case and headed for the street. Nobody was waiting to give her a ride so she called a taxi.

Misery followed her back. Their home, once vibrant with music, was quiet. Even the floor’s familiar squeak was gone. It was as if the apartment knew her mom had passed and was mourning as well. Ashley crawled into her bed and cried. Her mom’s smile broke through her tears, but it was only a photo. Ashley’s eyes dried so she could hold the picture’s gaze. The day was forgotten as she tried her hardest not to lose those comforting eyes.

Harsh knocking and sudden daylight told her she must’ve fallen asleep. She tried to shut her eyes and imagine nobody was there, but the person was persistent. The knocks came every few seconds. Cursing the knocker, Ashley slipped out of bed. She opened the door, leaving the chain attached. There was a woman in a business suit standing on the other side.

“Hello?”

“Ms. Lebell? Amber Sorrel. I was your mother’s attorney, we’ve met before.” Ashley nodded.

“What do you want?”

“I’m here by your mother’s wishes. She didn’t want to leave you alone so we’ve been searching for a home for you. Now none of her coworkers said they could take you.” Ashley scoffed. Take her? It made her sound like a dog who needed a new owner.

“I thought I was going to be on my own since I’m close to eighteen.”

“Well you’re not that close and it’s not what your mom wanted. Here.” She pulled an envelope out of her coat pocket and passed it to her. Ashley opened it and saw three things. Money, a plane ticket, and a letter. She eyed the money and moved onto the plane ticket. It left California and arrived in…

“Montana?” she asked, bewildered.

“Yes. To your father’s house.” Ashley looked at Amber as if she were stupid.

“My dad is dead.”

“Apparently not. Mr. Jameson is very alive. A few weeks ago your mother produced the address and told me to put him in the will. He’s more than agreed to take you in. The plane leaves tomorrow.”

“I don’t want to.”

“But you must. Pack up whatever you need or want and leave the rest to me. You can take either a taxi or give me a call in the morning.” She held out a card. Ashley stared at it blankly.

“I don’t want it.”

“Please take it,” pleaded Ms. Sorrel. Something in her voice compelled Ashley to listen. “Read the letter. Your mom will explain everything.”

The words stunned her. Ashley took the card and closed the door without saying goodbye. She put her back to the door and sank to the floor. Breathing heavily, she opened the letter.

Dear Ashley,

I’m sorry to leave you, but it seems the world has different plans for us. I can’t change the past, but I can change your future. I know times are hard right now and will only seem to get harder. I trust you to be strong and pull through. I can’t rest well in the afterlife knowing you’re scared or that I’d left you alone. Monsters are more real than they seem and I won’t abandon you to them.

As I’m sure you’ve learned, your dad is alive. I want you to go live with him. I know I told you he was dead. I can’t tell you now why I said he was, I just need you to trust me. He is a good and honorable man who I still love very much. He has written to me over the past years asking how you’ve been. I know he loves you and will take care of you in my absence.

I know it doesn’t seem real, but life has more in store for you than just this moment.. I will always be with you in spirit and will always be watching over you.

Love and kisses,

Mom

Ashley put the short letter down. She didn’t move. Her whole world had turned upside down in the past week and she wasn’t sure what to do. Before she’d welcomed the idea of just running away. Just going to a place to start over again and forget the past. Now that it was happening, she wasn’t so sure. Everything she was comfortable with was disappearing a piece at a time. She wanted to ask someone for help, but who could she turn to?

Her thoughts plagued her mind for hours. Only when the fading light of the day passed her eyes did she move. She looked up and realized the sun must be going down. The light was trying to creep through the blinds. Ashley rose and opened the window. The sun was partially concealed by the buildings, but it actually made it more beautiful. And when it was gone there was always the night sky to look at. Her life was changing, but some things didn’t have to. Feeling a strange urge, she opened the flute case from the strange woman and stood before the sunset. Then she let it all out.

Ashley had never played her mom’s song quite right before. Now she let her emotions flow, each note dripping with sadness and regret. The music flowed softly around her and out the open window. The sun seemed to shine one last time before it vanished. As the stars came out she kept playing, and when she was done, she allowed herself a feeble smile. She would be okay. Her mom believed in her and she wouldn’t let her down.