It was a cold Sunday afternoon on Piedmont Way. People gathered to pay their respects to Mr. and Mrs. Miller as well as their younger son since the three of them had been brutally massacred in their beds just days before, while their older son went missing.
The tragedy took the whole neighborhood by storm. The Millers were beloved by their neighbors and according to most, they were the closest thing to a perfect family.
The wake was organized by Mrs. Miller's younger sister Julia with the help of her husband Thomas and Mr. Miller's parents, Agatha and David.
The first car that arrived was that of Merle Collins. He came to pay his respects along with his wife and his younger son Clint who'd brought along his girlfriend, Courtney Wheeler.
Merle Collins knew William Miller from high school and they'd been best friends for nearly twenty-five years. Merle was simply heartbroken when he heard what had happened to a man he'd considered to be almost like a brother to him.
Upon stepping out of the car, Merle walked over to William's parents and hugged them both as well as offered his condolences. His wife and son followed soon after. Courtney offered her condolences as well but she felt uncomfortable since she'd never met these people before. She didn't want to come to the funeral in the first place since she'd only seen the deceased on a few occasions at the Collins mansion, but since Clint seemed pretty beaten up over their deaths she decided to go anyway.
Soon more people started showing up, making Courtney feel like she's suffocating in the crowd. I don't belong here, she thought to herself even as she firmly held Clint by the hand. She wanted to go outside and light a cigarette so badly, even though Clint had scolded her many times for smoking.
After the funeral, Courtney managed to sneak off into the backyard since Clint seemed to be having a deep conversation with William's parents. She couldn't help it but carefully take out a cigarette from her purse and light it up. Upon inhaling that first smoke she felt her anxiety decrease slightly. Courtney began to feel chilly but she didn't care because she needed to finish that cigarette.
She got lost in her thoughts and didn't even notice Clint coming towards her until he called her name, startling her a bit.
-Cour, what did I tell you?- he said quietly but she was able to detect a hint of anger in his voice.
-I know, I know.- she said still holding the cigarette- I'm sorry, but I need to finish this one.
-Courtney –
-Just one, okay? I didn't even want to come here…
-So why did you?- his voice seemed calmer and gentler now- I didn't forcibly take you by the hand and drag you here, all I did was ask.
-I wanted to be there for you, but this just too much for me.
Clint sighed and hugged Courtney.
-I'm sorry you feel like you're out of place here, but it means a lot to me that you're here to support me.
Moments later, another car pulled up, catching everyone's attention. David recognized the man coming out of the car and angrily stepped out of the house.
-Jesus Christ, don't you know of common courtesy?!- he said furiously- I'm burying my boy today along with my daughter-in-law and my grandson!
-Mr. Miller, I'm here to pay my respects to the family I assure you –
-I've heard about you, Ellison Oswalt!- David's voice began to break- I've heard the lengths you'd gone to so you could get the juicy details!
-David go back into the house.- Merle stepped in- I'll deal with him.
-Get him the hell out of here!- David yelled as Agatha led him back into the house- I don't want him anywhere near this property!
Merle turned to Ellison and crossed his arms.
-So are you going to leave or will I have to make you?
Ellison didn't want to get into a fight with Merle since the man was much taller than him and definitely looked like someone who could do some damage, so he just put on a sour smile.
-Fine, I'll leave…- Ellison turned around and was about to leave but he stopped after a few steps and turned back at Merle- But just you know, I'll find that Miller kid and you'll all owe me a big apology when that happens…- Ellison couldn't help it but smile a bit.
-Get out!- Merle hissed through his teeth and Ellison picked up the pace to his car.
Hours later the Collins family decided to go back home and they dropped Courtney off at her house before going back to theirs.
Soon after arriving home, Courtney phoned her friend Gill to tell her about what had happened at the funeral.
-Boy, that Ellison guy really doesn't know when to quit…- Gill laughed- I wonder what it must be like to be that hungry for fame…
-You shouldn't wonder about it too much since you have a few demons of your own that need handling.- Courtney laughed.
-Oh and what about you, little miss perfect?- Gill teased- No demons that need handling?
-Maybe just the smoking... I seem to be doing that a lot lately.
-Could it be because you're nervous about being future Mrs. Collins?
Courtney sighed.
-I'm not getting married until I finish college, I've told that to Clint a hundred times.
-But he seems to be preparing you for the role.
-The thing is, I don't want any of that inheritance he'll get when he comes of age. If we do get married at some point I want to be with him without his family hanging over our heads. I saw just how much they're controlling Richard even though he's twenty-three and doesn't live with them anymore. I don't want the same thing to happen to Clint.
-Lucky he's got you to pry him away from his pestering parents.
-I'm not saying that they're bad people, but they can get too controlling at times.
-Yeah… I have to say, I'm glad you've decided to give me a call since it's been a while.
-You know why that is.
-I still think your prejudice towards Joss is silly.
-He gets high on a weekly basis and he drinks a lot which causes him to be unbearable company! Honestly, how can you be with him?
-I know what he's like when he's not high nor drunk. Those are just things he's gotten addicted to when he was younger to help him cope with the death of his parents. I know he wants to change his ways and I can help him. He doesn't even drink that much anymore, I'm helping him cut it down, possibly quit altogether.
-It won't be easy getting him off of those things, Gill...
-I care about him and I'm willing to go through it.
-Suit yourself…- Courtney mumbled to herself.
-You wanna hang out tomorrow after school?
-I can't, I have to meet up with Stomberg to decide what we'll do for our project.
-For film class?
-Yeah.
-I can't believe that you got paired up with Stromberg, he's such a nerd. Then again so are you when it comes to artsy stuff. You seem to be a match made in heaven!
-Sure. Bye.
-Wait! It was just a joke.
-I know. I'm not offended, I'd just like to go to bed.
-Right. Well, I hope you call me sometime soon again.- Gill sighed- I really miss you C.
-I miss you too, but you make it seem like you and I can't hang out without Joss being there.
-We can, I swear. Just tell me when you'd like to meet.
There was a slight pause for a few moments.
-I'll give you a call during the week or I'll just find you in school and we'll see.
-Okay.- Gill said, sounding genuinely happy- Night, C.
-Good night Gill…