Murder at a Funeral

Two Days Earlier

The funeral was in two days. How could that dreaded day arrive so quickly?

Her mother had died five days ago, but Adeline felt as though it was only yesterday. It was though time was measured at a different speed once a tragedy strikes. You don't look at things the same. You don't feel the same. Everything and everyone moves in slow motion. Bringing you platters of food that you really couldn't eat anyways. Ringing your doorbell and calling your phone, constantly checking in to make sure you're alright. Adeline wasn't complaining; she liked the fact that people were checking up on her. But it had been five consistent days of this routine and she was becoming exhausted. In all honestly, she just wanted the whole debacle to be over and done with. Finished, locked, and the key thrown away.

Unfortunately, it wasn't that simple. Nothing ever is. She had spent the last five days calling friends and relatives, breaking the horrible news of Olenna's death to them. She had also been busy planning the funeral, something she had never done before. It was quite the experience. Fortunately, money was not issue. Anytime there was a problem, Adeline simply told someone to take care of it, giving them more money. The whole situation was stressful enough on its own. She didn't need people giving her options and choices about what else could possibly happen.

Two more days. Then all of this would be over.

Although Adeline looked like her mother, they didn't have all that much in common. If one were asked to summarize their personalities, they would say, quite simply, that Olenna was a bitch. A shrew. Termagant.

Adeline didn't think her mother was a bitch, but she could see how others might interpret it that way. Olenna was independent and assertive, something that was rare for many women, as well as something that women seemed to be ostracized for. Adeline applauded her mother for her work ethic and dominance, especially in the workplace. It was a male-dominated realm for so long, and Adeline was glad to see her mother striving to pave the way and make a difference for future generations of women who were sick of being told that they bossy or bitchy.

If someone was to summarize Adeline's personality, it would be kind. For her entire life she was used to hearing how kind-hearted and gentle she was. But to be quite frank, Adeline was getting sick of the title. She wanted to be daring. She wanted to be brave. She wanted to be loud and defiant like her mother. She wanted to be different. And she was tired of living under the 'kind' label that had been given to her all those years ago.

She liked helping people, and she was never going to stop being a good person. She just wished there was a way to do both without people judging and labeling her all of the time. Especially now with Olenna gone, their watchful eyes would become even more prevalent, constantly expecting things from her. It was something Adeline was never going to escape. But that's what happens when you're the daughter of a Yates.

Adeline remembered back to a time when she was eighteen-years-old. Her mother had taken her on a spontaneous get-away weekend to the Hamptons. Olenna had friends there – Olenna had friend everywhere – so they were able to stay somewhere large and accommodating for Olenna's needs. She remembered this weekend specifically, not because of the beautiful weather, the beach, or even spending time away with her mother. No, she remembered it because of the life-changing conversations Olenna had with her while they were away.

Olenna sat her daughter down and told it to her straight. She told her that if she ever wanted something in life, she would have to go after it herself. None of this beating around the bush or needing a man notions fed to us by society, which was ironic considering how hard she would later push Adeline to marry Aiden. Perhaps what Olenna was trying to get at was that you don't need a man, but it's always good to have one. And that as a woman, you cannot rely on others when you want something. You go after it yourself with every force of your being.

Either way, Olenna continued to talk to her daughter, telling her everything she needed to know to become successful. She told Adeline how proud she was of her for being the perfect daughter that they'd always wanted. And if that didn't hinder a person's mindset, Adeline didn't know what else could.

Adeline did not like to think about herself in such a way. Perfection. Of course it's every girl's dream to strive towards perfect. But that way of thinking seemed conceited to Adeline, who maintained modesty even in times of success. But having your own mother tell you that you are perfect, then thanking you for living up to her expectations felt a little bit unsettling for Adeline. She didn't want to be perfect. She didn't want to be the favorite. She wanted her parents to love all three of their children equally. But as much as Adeline wanted that, she knew it would never happen. There was a unique bond between her, Richard, and Olenna that Briar and Gabriel couldn't compete with. She felt sympathy for them – not pity, but sorrow. She truly wished that everything would be fine between all of the members in her family. She wished her mother never left them all those years ago and ruined everything. She wished that there was no drama, lies, or secrets. But when you're born into that kind of family, you don't really have a choice.

The telephone rang, startling Adeline out her dazed thoughts. She had been sitting on the couch reading a book – well, attempting to read, anyway. Each time she'd start a new line, her thoughts would wander elsewhere. She placed her bookmark on the page and reached for her phone.

"This is Adeline," she said.
"Addy, it's Susan. How are you holding up?"
"Susan, hi," Adeline adjusted in her chair and brought the phone to her other ear. "I'm doing alright, thank you for asking. How are you?"
"I'm fine, love. I was just calling because Nancy Harris phoned me this morning telling me what happened. The funeral is tomorrow, yes?"
"No, it's Saturday."
"Oh, my mistake."
"Apologies for not calling you sooner, Susan. I've just been awfully busy –"
"Oh Adeline, there's no need to apologize. I completely understand how overwhelming this all must be for you. I can recall the day we had to put my mother in the ground. It was just awful," she paused. "How are Briar and Gabriel doing?"
"They're alright. Briar's taking it extra hard. Especially after everything she's been through." Adeline's mind quickly raced back to yesterday. She didn't know whether she could believe her sister or not. This whole altercation was so complicated and didn't make sense. Why would Briar lie, though?
"I bet. Poor thing," she paused again. "Well I won't keep you. I'll see you on Saturday."
"See you then."

Adeline hung up the phone and picked up her book again. She flipped through the pages until she found her bookmark. But as soon as she started reading, Briar popped into her mind once again. This had been bugging Adeline since yesterday, slowly eating away at her like a parasite in her mind. If Briar was lying, it meant that she was holding some grudge against Adeline and Gabriel. Otherwise, why would she do something like that? But if she was telling the truth, then that meant they had an even bigger problem on their hands.

Adeline decided this couldn't wait. She placed the book back down on the couch beside her and picked up the phone, dialing her brother's number.

"Gabriel," she said once he picked up.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing, sorry. It's just, this whole will situation has my head spinning."
"Stop worrying about that. There's nothing we can do about it right now."
"I know, it's just... what if it was her who changed it?"
"It wasn't."
"How do you know?"
"Because she told me. I know her, Ads. She's our sister. She's not lying."
"So, someone else must have done it then?"
"Yes. And we'll figure that out soon. But right now, we have more pressing matters to deal with. So just let it be for now. We'll attend the funeral and pretend that nothing is amiss, alright?"
"Okay."
"Say it."
Adeline sighed. "We'll attend the funeral and pretend that nothing is wrong."
"Good," he says. "It will be fine. We'll figure it out."
Adeline let out a small breath. "I trust you Gabe."
"Good. I'll see you later then, okay?"
"Okay, see you then."