Funeral

Bailey's suspicion that they were waiting for Will to die to hold the funeral was found to be wrong when a couple days after Christmas the funeral was held. He watched as they all walked through the snow and he hurried to keep up, as did Kimmy… they both were small and it was hard to keep up with the adults.

But then Alma was having an easier time keeping up with everyone, something he didn't quite understand until she dropped back to be with his and his little cousin, who was clutching his hand, oblivious still to the fact that her parents were dead and her big brother was in the hospital.

"I know that you don't want to go any where, but don't let grief get to you… that's what my grandmother once told me… at least a rough translation of it," the girl sighed.

"I miss them… and I miss Will,"

"If you missed him so much, then why haven't you been taking care of Jimber for him? I've been stuck helping dad with it and you should be doing it,"

"If I go out to the barn, they'll make me ride… I'm not quite ready to get back up on a horse," Bailey sighed, then gave Alma a shocked look as she narrowed her eyes at him.

"This is so not the Bailey I know," she commented.

"I don't feel good…" Bailey looked away from her. "I really don't feel good about this."

"Who doesn't…" the girl sighed. "Look at all these people dressed in black."

"Do you think Will will make it?" the boy asked suddenly. "I've heard adults talking, and they don't think so."

"It's not a matter of what I believe but what I hope will happen. It's only been a small amount of time. My father says that there was a small bit of recovery… even though it was his body and not his mind that did so."

"I see…" Bailey muttered.

"You don't have to talk if you don't want to," Alma commented. "But I am there for you… that is what best friends are for… and when ones best friend is a girl… they get to scrutinize your girlfriends and make sure they are right for you."

"Eww!" Bailey suddenly made a disgusted face. He then laughed. "You did that on purpose, didn't you?"

"Yes… you might think about letting your mom cut your hair back to being short…" Alma commented.

"I like it…" Bailey muttered. There then was pretty much silence, except for the preachers speaking over the grave site.