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“No, I have no idea what to say.”
“Just speak from your heart.”
Aiden sighed and stood in the center of the crowd.
“My dad was not a saint. Nor is anyone. He was strong and fought for what he believed in. He was stubborn just like his kids,” Aiden said with a laugh looking at me. “At times I didn’t agree with my father’s decisions but I loved him no matter what. He may be gone but he lives on in his children’s hearts and he always will. It was a terrible accident that took my father from this Earth but his memory will live on through us all. Thank you,” He said and sat down.
Jonathon leaned down and whispered in my ear, “You should say something too. It’ll make you feel better.” I knew he was right but the thought of speaking in front of all those people was frightening. “Don’t be scared. I’m here.” Those two words gave me the strength to get up and speak.
I rose and saw Aiden and Adam’s shocked expressions. They both knew I hated public speaking.
I cleared my throat.
“I don’t have much to say. I feel Aiden said it all. But I want to speak for my own peace. I had always been close to my dad. Daddy’s little girl you’d say. But in the past months I have felt that I hated my dad. I felt like he betrayed his family. Abandoned us. But I know now that he didn’t. He did what was right for him what made him happy. Isn’t that what we all want? To be happy? Well that’s what he did and I can’t be mad at him for wanting happiness. Kelly made him happy and although I hate to admit it I have to thank her for making him happy. My dad was a great dad and I’ll always keep him close to my heart. I hope wherever he is that he knows I love him,” I said.
Everyone clapped.
As I turned to head back to Jonathon I saw a movement at the far end of the cemetery that looked like long black hair. It couldn’t be? I blinked my eyes and it was gone.
Great I was seeing things now.
Jonathon squeezed my hand and whispered in my ear, “That was amazing. I’m so proud of you.”
We spent the rest of the day with my brothers. They both seemed to like Jonathon. Neither one of them grilled him and seemed to accept him. I think they saw how connected Jonathon and I were.
We shared stories about our dad and laughed at the silly memories. It was nice to be with my brothers. But I was sad to say goodbye.
We were leaving to go back to Rome tonight.
“I’m going to miss you,” I said to both Aiden and Adam as I said goodbye to them at home. After the burial we had come back to our dad’s house. They hugged me back.
“You guys have to come to Rome.”
“We will,” they said in unison.
Aiden turned to Jonathon. “See you later dude. Keep an eye on her for us. Make sure she’s alright,” Aiden said in all seriousness.
“I will,” said Jonathon.
I hugged my brothers again and then Jonathon and I left to meet the others at the hotel.
I could see Jonathon was weak from being in the sun most of the day and I worried about him. He looked so tired and vulnerable. His skin had taken on a grayish quality and his eyes seemed sunken in.
Back at the hotel I changed into sweatpants and a sweatshirt for the ride home. I opened my suitcase to put my clothes in it. And found something that shocked me.
Another note and it was Selena’s handwriting.
You can’t get rid of me.
I immediately ripped the note to pieces and threw it down the toilet. I watched the little pieces swirl down into oblivion.
We left the hotel and got on the plane.
I kept the note to myself. I would tell Jonathon when we got home. For now I wouldn’t worry him. I put my head on his shoulder and he ran his fingers through my hair his strokes relaxed further proof that I should wait to tell him about the note.
As we flew over the Pacific I thought to myself, one thing was certain; Selena was alive and she’d be back. But this time would we survive?
