I STILL HAVNE'T GOTTEN OVER 'THE HEART IS A LONELY HUNTER'. THAT WAS, BY FAR, THE BEST EPISODE YET.
DON'T OWN IT. ADAM HOROWITZ AND EDDIE KITSIS ARE COMPLETE GENIUSES.
The whole town is there, gathered at the cemetery. The bright, blue sky is in deep contrast to the dreariness of the day. The only sound that can be heard is Regina's voice; even the animals seem to be quiet. She stands at the podium, giving Graham's eulogy. The metal chairs were set up in rows, with Henry, David, Kathryn, and a few others that Regina approved of in the front. In the middle and back rows were people like Mary Margaret, Archie, and the children. It went unnoticed by no one how empty the town felt without their Sheriff. Emma stood in the shadow of a nearby tree, leaning against it. If she went any closer to the woman who seemed to bleed evil, she was pretty sure she'd throttle her. Emma's eyes scanned the crowd, but her eyes kept falling upon Henry, silent tears running down his cheeks. He wasn't the only one. Everybody kept blowing their noses and wiping their eyes. Graham truly was a great man. Emma hoped no one would notice her, especially Regina. If she knew she was there, she'd end up making her say something, as Graham's deputy. Emma wasn't the best public speaker. Henry kept glancing behind him, and he finally noticed his real mother. For some reason, he knew to pretend not to notice her.
"I know how much Graham loved his job. He lived to protect you all. But I suppose no one would know this any better than Deputy Swan. Miss Swan, would you like to say a few words?" Regina noticed her. Emma stiffened. On the brunette's apple-red lips, was a smirk hiding behind the fake grief. Sighing, Emma pushed herself off of her tree, and ignored everyone's stares as she walked down the aisle to the podium.
"Hi." She smiled. "Graham really did love his job. You know, I'd hate to bore you guys saying the same things as Regina, so…" Emma shrugged. "I don't think anything really needs to be said. You're all here because you loved Graham." She swallowed the lump in her throat. She wasn't going to cry, especially in front of Regina. "Words aren't necessary right now. They're also not appropriate, cause they can't describe how amazing he was. I can't tell you how sorry I am for our loss. 5 days ago, we lost a man who deserved much better than a sudden demise. Thank you." Emma stepped down, and walked back to her tree.
Back at her house, Regina rambled to her editor.
"She won the crowd over with saying an eighth of what I said!" She ranted.
"Madam Mayor, this isn't the end." He tried to reassure her.
"They like her, and hate me! I'm so screwed!"
Henry smiled to himself, and snuck out his window and made a run for Mary Margaret's apartment. When he arrived, it was a sight he hadn't expected.
"Hey, Kid. What took you so long?" Emma quipped. Henry stared in astonishment at all the people. Archie, David, Kathryn, and a few others were there.
"I'm confused." Henry said.
"This is to celebrate Sheriff Graham's life, Henry." Mary Margaret said. "We can mourn him how we want, and say what we want. Your mom makes that kind of hard."
"Oh." Came Henry's simple reply. He stepped in and closed the door. "That's a nice idea."
"To Graham." Emma held up her beer.
"To Graham." Everyone repeated.
I'M NOT SURE IF I WANT TO GO FURTHER WITH THIS OR NOT. IF ANYONE HAS IDEAS, I'D BE GLAD TO HEAR THEM!