Page 275 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 1

Anna huddled on the floor in the corner, listening to Ben’s family talk about him and make funeral plans. Tears were intermixed with occasional laughter. His sisters, Marcia and Ruth, huddled next to their parents, Dave and Katherine. Matt and Jenna sat together in a chair near the window.

Wilhelm sat in a chair nearby, close enough to pat her arm occasionally. He’d tried to get Anna to sit in a chair, but she refused. If she had to be here, she wanted to stay in the corner where she belonged.

The family had chosen Friday morning for the funeral. Anna had a matinee early Friday afternoon, but was certain Isaak would let her miss class that morning.

Was it okay for her to keep dancing after Ben’s death? Would his family understand her need to channel her grief through it? The two precious hours Jack had given her during the dark years of abuse had been her only solace, a thin thread that held her to her sanity.

Her mind twisted and spun, trying to find something—anything—to cling to in the agonizing storm of grief. Closing her eyes, letting her mind drift to dancing, lifted the pain in her heart enough to let her breathe.

The ring box pressed into her thigh. She needed to give his family the ring, but then they would wonder why she had it. How could she explain how she’d gotten it? She wasn’t supposed to have seen him since Wednesday. She glanced between Matt and Wilhelm. What should she do with it?

“It doesn’t make any sense, Mom,” Marcia said in a broken voice. “How could he have disappeared on Friday and not... been found until this morning?”

“You know how your brother is,” Dave said gently. “Maybe he just needed some time alone.”

Anna twisted her fingers together. Did they know about her? Had Ben told them what she really was? Shame flooded her body with heat. She didn’t belong here with his innocent, grieving family. She should leave. Let his family remember him without her tainted presence.

She jumped to her feet and the room spun. Wilhelm grabbed her before she could fall. “Anna, are you alright? Have you eaten today?”

Anna shook her head. She had no appetite.

“I think I will take her back to her apartment and have her rest,” Wilhelm said. “Kommen Sie, Liebling.” He put his arm around her shoulders. “Please let me know if there is anything you need.”

“Thank you, Wilhelm,” Dave said. “We appreciate your concern.”

“Anna means a great deal to myself and my family. Anything that concerns her concerns me.”

Anna rubbed the box over her jeans. “Matt, can I talk to you for a minute?” He nodded and followed her to the door. She dug the box out of her pocket and handed it to him. “Here. I-I don’t know what to do with it.”

“You should keep it. He’d want you to have it.”

Anna shook her head. “How would I explain why I had it? I’m not supposed to have seen him.” Her voice squeaked as she spoke.

Matt nodded. “I’ll put it with his things. I’m sure his mom will give it to you when she finds it.”

“I don’t deserve it.”

Matt put his hands on her shoulders. “Anna, Ben didn’t care about what you’d been forced to do. He loved you and wanted to marry you. He was gonna ask you at the party. That’s why his family was down here already.”

Anna closed her eyes. Ben had said he loved her before he died.

“I will take care of her, Matt,” Wilhelm said, putting his arm around her shoulders. “I think she needs some sleep. She did not sleep well all weekend.”

Matt’s brows twitched and he frowned, but nodded. “I’ll keep you updated.”

“Danke.”

Chapter 129

Anna let Wilhelm help her back to her apartment. Her legs shook as she walked. Wilhelm ordered dinner to be delivered and once it arrived, watched her carefully as she ate. She did feel a little better after she finished. A little.

“Do you want to dance tomorrow?” he asked, sitting next to her on the couch. “Or shall I call Isaak and let him know you need some time off?”

“Dancing is the only time I’m free,” she said quietly. “A few minutes of peace.”

Wilhelm touched her cheek as he looked at her closely. Then he nodded. “I understand. Then you need to make sure you sleep well tonight. You look exhausted.”

Anna leaned against Wilhelm and thought back to the previous night. “I hit Devin,” she whispered.

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