AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chloe looks at me. “Kyle, please leave. It’s over. We’re over. Thank you for all you’ve done, but please, go home.”
“Chloe.” I draw out her name while fighting for the right words.
“Please,” she begs.
It’s too late. Even if I find the words, it’s done.
I nod. “Thank you for clarifying all I needed to know. I’m glad this meant nothing to you.”
With that, I grab my shit and leave.
29
Chloe
Smiles.
Funerals are full of them.
An entire range of smiles is what I’ve received today.
I never want to smile and thank someone for coming again.
The church is filled with people smiling while paying their respects. It should make me feel good for the support, but instead, it angers me. Most of these people didn’t care about her kind until tragedy hit. Parents are here, who denied their children playdates with her because of where she came from. Even Mrs. Garfield shoots me an apologetic smile, a hint of shame in her eyes, when it’s her turn to give her condolences.
Gloria’s casket is small, and the bright pink flowers Trey picked out lie atop it. She’s wearing her Dorothy costume, and her stuffed Toto is nestled at her side. I came early before the showing, sat in front of her casket, and apologized. I should’ve never trusted Claudia with her.Never.That’s on me. Our little Dorothy will be buried today because of my stupid judgment.
When I look at her, it’s a deeper cut into my heart, but I won’t quit torturing myself. Every heart-shattering glance is worth it because, after today, I’ll never be able to do it again. All I’ll have is photos.
Adjusting to life without Gloria is a mixture of emotions—denial, disbelief, anger, regret, and sadness. As she was the youngest, Trey and I made Gloria the priority of our lives, and now, she’s gone even though all the evidence of the space she filled in our hearts is everywhere.
Claudia put in a request to attend the funeral, but it was denied. Denied byMayor Lane.She’s facing a long list of charges for Gloria’s death, including vehicular manslaughter. I haven’t visited her again and don’t plan to. Trey’s attitude hasn’t changed in the matter either.
I take a seat in the front row and look over to the corner where Kyle has stood since he came in. He’s kept his distance, but even that is comforting. I never doubted he’d show.
I catch a glimpse of his family a few rows back—including his father. Sierra reached out to Trey a few days ago, inviting him over to her house for dinner. I’m not dumb. They want to warm themselves up to him. He declined, but he was nice about it. It’s his sister, and he’s having trouble coming to terms with that. He lost a sister, and now, a new one is coming around.
I’ve felt guilt over my wanting custody of him. He’ll have more money, growing up as a Lane, but I can’t lose him. I’ve already lost Gloria, and I won’t survive another loss. I’m also not too selfish; if the time comes and Trey does want to live with them, I’d let him go.
I’d let him go because, unlike everyone else, it’s his happiness that matters to me.
I look over when Kyle sits down next to me. There’s been an empty chair there since I sat down. It’s almost as if no one dared to take it.
“Hi,” he says.
Him being at my side eases me.
“Hi,” I reply.
When the service starts and the tears hit, he grabs my hand. I squeeze it tight. Trey gives the eulogy, keeping his sobs together to say his words. I’m mentally and physically depleted when it ends.
“Thank you for coming,” I whisper as people clear out of the church.
“Always,” he says.
The three of us stand, and Kyle looks from me to Trey. “I’m right next door and not going anywhere. If you need anything—sugar, a friend, a hug—you guys come knocking, okay?”
Trey and I nod.
