Clock Dance

As Willa and Derek drive to a pool party, Willa thinks about their 16-year-old son, Ian, who wants to take a gap year from high school. Willa wants to gently change Ian’s mind, but Derek wants to just give him a firm “no”—children must listen to their parents. Willa worries that Ian is unhappy and that a different school might be a better fit for him, but Derek is convinced that Ian is just lazy, unlike his older brother Sean.

Derek becomes impatient with a station wagon that has drifted too close to their lane. He honks and hits his brakes fast as the station wagon merges in front of them. Derek orders Willa to write down the license plate, speeds up, and races around the station wagon, which is also speeding up. Willa asks Derek not to merge, but it’s too late. Willa and Derek’s car spins out and crashes. Willa survives, but Derek does not. 

Willa wants Derek cremated, and she wants only drinks and small snacks served after the service so everyone will leave as soon as possible. Willa feels wronged and empty. She’s mad at Derek for his recklessness, but she misses him dearly.