It isn't really a bad day, just cloudy.
Daria stood away from everyone else looking at the sky. She was a little taller but still the same, although she was wearing black. Her second year in College and her she stood at a funeral.She felt strangely pacified by the breeze. She kept thinking about what people said.
You two where so close.
Daria sighed and looked down. There where so many people - Daria didn't know most of them.
"So your just going to stare at the sky." Came the voice of Jane Lane "I thought you where supposed to say something about our dearly departed."
Daria just looked back to her friend and then back to the sky.
"Tom called me. He wanted to talk to you - see how you felt. I told him to call back later" Daria remained quiet. "Daria? I guess it hurts huh. I mean losing her..."
"I don't feel anything." Jane looked shocked. "I mean I feel something - she was a relative, but I-" She paused to search for the words. "I don't feel anything unique about it. People keep saying we where close but-"
Jane looked down trying to find a joke she could say or an observation but in the end only one thing came out. "Makes you think..."
Daria sighed. "I- I just don't know. They say we were so much alike, but I didn't know her. She wasn't all that close to me."
Jane put a hand on Daria shoulder. "It'll be ok-"
"W-why?" Daria said. She hid the tears. "How am I supposed to be like her? Why are we supposed to be close?"
Suddenly a different voice came from behind them. "The weather looks kind of bad-" It was Daria's Aunt Rita. She looked over to Daria. "Amy would have loved a day like this for a funeral, but you don't seem to."
Daria looked over her shoulder.
"I wonder if Amy was happy - she never told anyone how she felt. She was so isolated - Helen and I. We just argued and argued our lives away..." Rita sniffled. "We never got to be sisters- and we never were sisters to Amy. I regret that and I think Helen does to."
"Why are you saying this?"
"We've all come here to mourn her because we love her. I dont think she knew that - she was not close to any of us."
Daria looked at her Aunt who was now looking away ashamed. "Not even me."
"People only say your close because you two seem similar, but your really quite different when it comes down to it." As Rita said this Jane put her arm around. Rita smiled. "Amy never had a friend - and she never bothered to make any. In the end she wouldn't even turn to her sisters...she just... Daria I just want you to know I really love your mother, your sister, and you very much- and if you ever think..." Rita sighed.
"It's okay Rita. Mom is fine - a little stressed, but healthy. Quinns stronger than she seems and Ill deal."
She looked at Jane for a moment. "I know."
"Mom!" Came Erin's voice. She quickly ran up to her mother. "Is Daria ready?"
"Honey I think-"
"I'll go-" Daria said as she walked by her Aunt. Just this one time - let these people think there was someone who understood Amy. Pacify their fears that she was alone.
Hey its my favorite niece...
Daria cracked a grin - Thanks Amy, even if you didn't know it you helped me.
