AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“My father never complained about not completing his Ph.D. Instead, he immersed himself in the Culver City community as an activist, providing comfort and support to those in need.
“He was employed for years at the Chandler School. He was a phenomenal teacher, inspiring countless students to love history, especially medieval history.
“He taught his children to remember that sometimes in life, you don’t get what you deserve; you get what you get. It’s up to you to turn misfortune into success.”
Colleen took another quick look at the bright white paper filled with carefully selected words of praise about her father’s accomplishments and character. This didn’t feel right. Every person here had known her father and what he’d achieved. Her father deserved more than just a retelling of familiar facts. She wanted to speak from her heart. She scrunched the paper tight in her fist.
Clearing her throat, Colleen said, “Jimmy Murphy was first and foremost my dad. Every night before I went to bed, I gave him a hug. It didn’t matter if I was four years old, or fourteen years old. I would give him a hug and he would recite an Irish saying: ‘No man ever wore a scarf as warm as his daughter’s arm around his neck.’” She focused her attention on her mother and brothers. “For me, that old saying says it all. I never once doubted my father’s love for me.
“My father cherished me and my brothers. He taught me to never place someone else above me. The exceptions were God, Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, Saint Patrick, Pope Francis, Father Garcia, Barack Obama, and my mother. Not always in that order, of course,” she said with humor.
The church filled with laughter.
As Colleen wiped away a tear, someone caught her eye.
Finn O’Connor.
He was seated next to his mother, near the back of the church. Even from this distance, his gaze was focused on her with penetrating intensity. She had to take a deep breath to calm her racing heartbeat.
As a teenager, he’d been impossibly good looking, but now any trace of his boyish good looks was gone. His hair was a darker blond now, and his expression was no longer carefree, but stern.
Looking away from Finn, she regarded her mother seated next to Brian. It was an odd juxtaposition. Brian wore a designer suit and her mother was dressed in an inexpensive black dress she saved for funerals. The significance of the contrast was clear: Brian Waters would never fit in with her family.
In a shaky voice, Colleen closed her eulogy. “My father was a good man, and he would be deeply honored so many people came here to celebrate his life. On behalf of the entire Murphy family, I want to thank each and every one of you for coming today.”
She closed her eyes briefly and took a deep breath, hoping her father would be proud of her.
Father Garcia came to give her a pat on the back. “Well done, Colleen.”
CHAPTER 2
FINN
Colleen left the lectern and walked down the aisle. She was even more beautiful than she’d been ten years ago. Her blond hair was no longer styled in the short pixie cut she’d worn since childhood. Now it flowed to her shoulders in loose tendrils. Wearing a conservative black shift dress, her body moved with grace and confidence. When she arrived at the family pew, a man he didn’t recognize got to his feet to guide her to her seat.
Colleen turned around, scanning the crowd until their eyes met. Her cheeks flushed a bright pink. Finn took in a sharp breath. He could still make her blush. Maybe she wasn’t so different from the girl he remembered, after all.
After the Mass ended, Finn stood with the congregation as the priest and the Murphy family left the church. Colleen kept her face turned away from him, probably focusing on her mom. But Sean broke ranks, stepping into their pew. “Finn. Mrs. O’Connor,” he greeted, kissing Finn’s mom on the cheek. “I’m glad you came. You’re both coming to the house later, right?” Sean asked, glancing over to Finn’s mom.
“We’ll be there,” she answered. “Thank you for including us.”
“Of course. The burial is private, but we’ll see you afterward,” Sean said. He turned to leave the church with his family.
Finn waited until most of the church cleared out before leaving. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a few people do double-takes, some shook their heads, and others whispered comments to their companions.
He sat up straight and kept his eyes focused ahead, trying to conceal his frustration. He’d been used to this sort of reaction in New York City, but they were in Culver City.
“I’m sorry, Mom,” Finn said.
“I was hoping people would forget, but I guess not.”
His mother wasn’t quite sixty, but the years had been hard on her. She’d been renowned as a beauty but had let her hair go gray and favored off-the-rack clothes rather than the designer wardrobe for which she’d been famous. Her life was simpler these days. She was content living in a small cottage in Stony Brook rather than her ex-husband’s Manhattan penthouse. And despite her wish to see the Murphy family, he recognized the signs of anxiety in the tightness around her eyes.
“Do you still want to go to the Murphys? We can go back to the hotel if you’re not up for it.”
“It’ll be a smaller group, just family and close friends. I’m flattered that Eileen invited us, and I want to pay my respects in person.”
Sean was his best friend, but he wasn’t sure how the rest of the Murphy clan would welcome them, especially Colleen. It was time to address this uncomfortable situation head-on. He would know soon enough if it was a mistake coming here. “All right, then.” He guided his mom out of the pew to leave the church.
