Three days had passed since the remembrance feast.
As much as Caleb wanted to give Ashleigh and her family time to mourn together, they had stayed away from Summer for far too long. To his surprise, Ashleigh agreed right away to return home.
“I am sorry to see you leave, darling,” Corrine said as she pulled Ashleigh into a warm embrace.
“I’m sorry to leave you too, mom,” Ashleigh smiled, hugging her mother tightly. “I have really missed getting to see you every day.”
“We all have our burdens to bear,” Corrine smiled.
Ashleigh smiled and then gave Corrine a serious look.
“Are you sure you will be, ok?” Ashleigh asked. “I know what Axel plans to do. Personally, I think he should wait. At least a month or two.”
Corrine nodded.
“I understand your concern,” she replied with her gentle smile. “But I am the one that first suggested this plan to him.”
“But that was before,” Ashleigh said gently.
“Yes,” Corrine nodded sadly, “but everything was before.”
