Stay the Night

Chapter 12

April 11th, 2002

Mariah followed the salesman around Caskets Emporium with her mother and sister in tow. The three women were coming to terms with the idea that Alfred was dying, and Pat decided it would be best to start getting things in place ahead of time. Mariah felt uncomfortable with searching for a coffin while her father was still very much alive, but she could see the sense in Pat's logic. She told the sales rep that she wanted something simple for her father, he was simple man and she wanted something to reflect that.

"How's this one for you ladies?" The salesman, Edward, asked.

He presented them with a sleek black casket.

"I like this one." Mariah said. "It's really classy."

Alison looked at the price tag and scoffed at Mariah. "$1100? Really?"

"What?" Mariah inquired, shrugging. "How much did you expect it to cost?"

Alison rolled her eyes and turned to Edward. "Got anything else?"

Edward proceeded to show them several other options, Alison rejecting each and every one. Too plain, too cheap, just didn't feel right, and any other excuse she could manage to spew out--and Mariah was getting sick of her sister's melodrama.

"I'll go check with the manager and see if we have any more selections in the back." Edward offered.

Mariah forced a smile. "Thank you."

Once Edward walked off, Alison started to walk around, looking at each one very carefully.

"Let's pick that one." Alison said.

Mariah looked to where Alison was pointing and stopped herself from rolling her eyes. Her sister had picked out a gaudy gold plated coffin with a fur lining.

She folded her arms. "We are not getting that."

"Why not?" Alison inquired, mirroring her younger sister. "This is my choice."

"I'm the one who's paying for everything. You don't get a choice." Mariah retorted. "This is way too expensive."

"Oh boo hoo, it's not like you don't have the money."

Mariah rolled her eyes. "Just because I don't spend all of my money on drugs doesn't mean I have money to waste."

"You're so fucking selfish. You can't even buy our dad the casket he deserves." Alison twisted her face into a devilish grin. "I bet if it were Michael--"

"Shut the fuck up." Mariah snapped, drawing the attention of some of the other patrons.

"Mariah!" Pat interjected.

Mariah stared at her mother. "Mom, she's been being a bitch all--"

"It's not like you haven't been a bitch since the day mom brought you home."

Mariah frowned. "You're so fucking jealous it's pathetic."

Alison lunged at Mariah only to be intercepted by Pat.

"Both of you stop this! Your father wouldn't want this." Pat whispered harshly.

Mariah crossed her eyes. "Mom, he's not dead yet."

"All I know is you two better start acting like the thirty something year old mothers you are and not like children." Pat snapped.

Mariah huffed. "Fine."

Alison glared at Mariah.

"Fine."

April 16th, 2002