Forest

 Jan dropped the sodden mass behind the counter. “So Mathew, a bunch of the locals are planning something for The Rev, sort of a celebration of life thing at the Elk’s Hall. Thought you might like to come.”

 Matt found the idea of attending such an event even less appealing than the popular euphemism used to describe it. When a person was dead it was a little late to celebrate their life, though in some instances he could certainly understand people celebrating their death. Funerals were to show respect for the deceased and give comfort to the bereaved. He should know, he’d attended or been witness to enough of them including ceremonies at unmarked graves for hundreds of victims of ethnic cleansing. In this case, however, he wasn’t sure his father deserved respect and as the only family member he didn’t particularly want or need the comfort of these strangers.

 “Thanks, Jan, but I’m not sure how long I’ll be in town.”

Jan tilted her head, looked like she was about to say something, than reconsidered. “Sure, but in case you change your mind, it’s at 2 pm on Thursday.”