Dave Casler
PO Box 98
Ridgway, Colorado 81432
Young Adult Novels by Dave Casler...
I've been told by publisher after publisher that there's no market for Young Adult novels. I think they're wrong! So I'm putting my novels on-line for you. Forget the publisher! Read to your heart's content--it's free! And, I'd like to hear from you, too! Contact Page.
You're reading About Dan. Be sure to check out About Phillip here.
Dan is a normal kid who loves his soccer. Except everything goes wrong. Everything.
About Series Home
About the About Series
Index to All Chapters
Here are all the chapters, disguised as asterisks. Hover your mouse over an asterisk to see the title of the chapter. Click on the asterisk to go straight to that chapter.
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(About Dan Home) (Last) (Next)
A Personal Goodbye
He approached the casket tentatively. First he saw her temple veil. He wasn't really sure just what the temple clothing was all about but filed away his questions for later. He just wanted to see his mother's face.
Dressed in white, she looked angelic, not at all like she did when they’d screamed at each other Wednesday evening. Her eyes were closed peacefully. Her hands were crossed. Dan couldn't see anything more since his eyes were clouded with tears. He leaned against the casket and bent low, his head within inches of hers. He felt Betsy's hand on his shoulder.
He found his voice and spoke to his mother. "Why were our last words so angry? If you can hear me, I'm sorry. Please forgive me, mum, please forgive me. How can I make this up to you? I didn't know what you were dealing with! I wish you would’ve shared."
His tears dripped off his nose onto her face. He reached into the casket to touch her where his tears had landed. He looked for a long moment, then leaned into the casket and kissed her on her cheek. Then, overcome, he turned away and buried his face in Aunt Betsy's shoulder. They clung together, two people from different worlds. Bishop Parker gently pulled them apart so Aunt Betsy could say her goodbyes. Dan—not seeing a thing—went with Peter out of the chapel and back to the Relief Society room where Marilyn waited. She took him into her arms.
"There, there, now," said Marilyn, patting him on the back. "Take as long as you want, no one's in a hurry."
"I had to tell her I was sorry," sobbed Dan.
"Yes, she knows," Marilyn replied.
"I wish my faith was as strong as the bishop's," Dan said. "This is too hard."
"I know, I’ve been there. You said a beautiful prayer, Dan."
Dan sobbed without replying. Gradually, his sobs gave way to mere tears and then to silence. Slowly, like waking from a dream, he became aware of activity around him. He took a couple deep breaths. He forced a small smile, let go of the hug, squeezed Marilyn's hand and said "thank you."
Marilyn replied with an equally wan smile. "It's the least we can do, Dan. Do you want some lunch?"
"Uh, is anyone still here?" he asked.
"Well, quite a few people are staying for lunch. We can have lunch in here or we can go down to join the other people. I'd recommend you have lunch here."
"No, I'm ok—I think. Let's go down to the other room."
"Well, if you want to. But if you feel your emotions running away, we can come back."
"Do I look ok, or am I all wet?" asked Dan. He laughed and wiped his eyes.
"You're always all wet." It was Peter.
Dan laughed again. "I guess life must go on, right? Let's go." He wiped his eyes one more time, straightened his tie, and headed for the door.