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10
JASE
The following afternoon, after deciding not to drive because we planned to have a drink when it was all over, we arranged a ride to the church where the funeral was being held and I kept Emilia close to me as we entered it.
Places of worship were not something we frequented in any way, shape, or form, only entering one for a special occasion such as a wedding. I chose seats at the back so we could escape if necessary but couldn’t help looking around.
The church was packed with mourners. Gary and Angela had always appeared to be good Christian people, and hundreds had turned up to say goodbye to them. I was sure most of those in attendance were fellow members of the church, but I did spot a few familiar faces.
There was only one in particular I was actually happy to see. I saw Tyrone Morris sitting about ten rows ahead of us on the other side. A few years older than us, he’d only been in the Johnson household for about a year until he’d aged out.
A tall, skinny kid who loved to play basketball, he’d stayed out of trouble and hadn’t made waves either at home or in school. I didn’t know much about his home life or how he’d gotten into the system, but the little he’d shared hadn’t painted a pretty picture.
He’d gone to Illinois after getting a scholarship to study law at the University of Chicago and had become a successful family lawyer. I wasn’t surprised by his specialty; he’d always been a kind, gentle teenager who’d done his best to ensure all the kids under the Johnsons’ roof were as okay as they could be, given the circumstances.
We all missed him after he’d left, but like those who’d come before him he’d been turfed out on his eighteenth birthday with little fanfare.
He was married with three children, lived in a beautiful home, and had his own practice. I was proud of him. He’d worked as hard as us and had also achieved success. I was glad he was there. At least we’d have someone to talk to afterward.
I noticed him looking around the church and saw the moment he spotted us. The corners of his mouth curled upward and he waved in our direction. I waved back but didn’t get the opportunity to do anything more because the pastor appeared at the altar and the service began.
It was painfully long. It seemed every single family and church member in attendance had something glowing to say about the deceased couple, and I was itching to leave. I kept a close eye on Emilia, who remained by my side for the entire service. She hadn’t spoken a word since we’d arrived at the church, but hadn’t shed any tears, either.
I kissed the top of her head and she glanced up at me, giving me a small smile, before scooting even closer to me. Our fingers were entwined together, and at some stage she placed her other hand around mine, so it was encased between both of hers.
Leaning over, I whispered in her ear. “If you want to get out of here, just say the word.”
She turned to look at me and brushed her lips against my jaw. “I’m okay.”
Once the long service had finally concluded, we went outside and followed the crowd around to the back of the church, where the entrance to the graveyard was. Gary and Angela were being buried there, and it was only a short walk to the open graves which had been prepared ahead of time.
The two coffins were transported on silver biers to the gravesite. It appeared they were being buried side by side. After giving a thankfully short speech, the pastor encouraged those who wished to do so to take a rose from the baskets being held by several members of the church and place them on the coffins.
We declined, as did Tyrone, who was now standing next to us. Once the coffins had been lowered into the ground, a family member invited us all to Gary and Angela’s house for the wake.
Fuck. I guessed we’d have to at least make an appearance, but I was going to get us out of there as soon as possible and to the nearest bar for a stiff drink or five.
Tyrone turned to us as soon as the service was over and greeted us warmly. I shook his hand, and Emilia gave him a hug. He’d aged well, looking as young as he had the day he’d left the house. His hair was now cropped close to the scalp, but I could see the tufts of gray interspersed with his black hair.
He was a handsome man, his white teeth a stark contrast against his dark skin. Ageless features gave him an air of sophistication. He was wearing a tailored three-piece black suit and tie, with a crisp white shirt underneath.
“Jason, Emilia. It is so good to see you both.” A broad smile proved that statement to be true. “Can’t lie, though. I’m surprised to see you here.”
“I didn’t want to come.” I didn’t see any point in lying, either. “But Emilia wanted to be here.”
“You going to the wake?”
I looked at my best friend, the decision hers. “Yes, just for a little while.” I suspected it was more that she wanted to see the house we’d lived in all those years ago one last time than wanting to pay her respects to the Johnsons.
“Great. Want to share a ride?”
I nodded. “Sure. I’ll order one now.”
It didn’t take long for the car to arrive, and fifteen minutes later we were standing outside the house we’d lived in as teenagers. The house where I’d met the girl afraid of letting anyone get close to her, in case she was bounced to another foster home.
The girl who would become the most important person in my world.
I felt Emilia’s hesitation as we neared the front door and leaned in close to her. “Sure you want to go in?”
