**Chapter 7: Cracks in the Facade**

As she walked out of the funeral home, Ashley felt like she was walking on thin ice, with the weight of her grief threatening to crack beneath her feet at any moment. The bright sunlight and gentle breeze that greeted her seemed like a cruel contrast to the somber mood that still lingered within her. She had managed to hold it together during the service, but as she looked down at Ender's innocent face, she felt a tiny fissure begin to form in her composure. Rachel, sensing that Ashley was on the verge of breaking down, wrapped a supportive arm around her shoulders. "Hey, I'm here for you," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the sound of Ender's chatter. But even Rachel's presence couldn't hold back the tide of emotions that had been building up inside Ashley. As they reached the car, Ashley's gaze fell upon the small, white coffin that had been placed in the back of the hearse. It was a stark reminder of what she had lost, and suddenly, the dam burst. Ashley's body began to shake, and she felt a sob rise up in her throat. She tried to stifle it, but it was too late. A loud, anguished cry escaped her lips, and she collapsed onto the pavement, overcome with grief. Ender, sensing his mother's distress, began to wail, and Rachel quickly scooped him up, trying to comfort him as Ashley broke down. The sound of Ashley's sobs echoed through the quiet street, a heartbreaking melody that seemed to shake the very foundations of the world around her. She felt like she was drowning in a sea of despair, with no lifeline in sight. Dave was really gone, and she was left to pick up the pieces of her shattered life. As she lay there, Ashley felt a wave of guilt wash over her. She had promised Ender that she would be strong for him, that she would be his rock in this difficult time. But now, she felt like she was failing him, like she was crumbling beneath the weight of her own grief. Rachel knelt beside her, holding Ender tightly in her arms. "It's okay, Ash," she whispered, her voice soft and soothing. "You can fall apart. You can break down. I'm here for you, and I'll hold you together until you're strong enough to stand on your own again." Ashley looked up at Rachel, her eyes streaming with tears. She felt a sense of gratitude towards her friend, and slowly, she began to calm down. Ender, sensing that his mother was okay, slowly stopped crying, and Rachel handed him over to Ashley, who cradled him tightly in her arms. As they sat there, surrounded by the somber atmosphere of the funeral, Ashley knew that she had finally hit rock bottom. But she also knew that she couldn't stay there. She had to find a way to heal, to move forward, and to give Ender the life he deserved. The question was, where did she go from here?