Death Coming Up The Hill: A Novel

In April 1968, during week 14 of the year, Ashe arranges a family dinner at Coco’s in hopes of having “a regular family” (49) dinner. The evening takes an unusual turn as Ashe’s parents, affected by President Lyndon B. Johnson’s speech on Vietnam and his decision not to seek reelection, engage in a hopeful conversation about Ashe’s future and familial issues. However, the mood is abruptly shattered when a news report announces the shooting of Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. The room falls silent, but Ashe’s father, to Ashe’s shock, joins a man at the bar in callous laughter at the news. In response, Ashe’s mother abruptly signals to Ashe, and they leave.

In April 1968, during week 15, Ashe reflects on his childhood dreams of heroism, shaped by war movies where he envisioned himself as a selfless savior. However, as he matures and gains a realistic understanding of war, he starts questioning his capacity for “becoming a hero” (52). During this introspection, Ashe acknowledges that the concept of sacrificing oneself extends beyond the battlefield as there are “all kinds of grenades in life” (53).