October 31st
At 7 am, Mark got up to start the coffee, and flipped on the light. Collins had closed the couch, and he was simply waiting for everyone to wake up.
"How are you?" Mark asked.
"How do you think?...I'll be fine." Collins said, lying.
Maureen knocked on the door, and she barged in with croissants and designer coffee. She plopped the bag on Collin's lap, and said, "Eat. It will make you feel better." Then she pulled out a small photo album from her large purse. I thought we could use some of these at the serviceā¦. if you want. They're the pictures that we took after the Christmas Eve performance."
"Thanks." Collins said as he flipped through the book.
"I'm really going to miss him." she said, tearing up. She put her head on his shoulder as they went through the pictures laughing at the goofy poses that they took late at night. Slowly, the group gathered at the loft, Roger was the last to emerge from his room, and they walked to the church next to the Ryder community center.
Collins went in to take care of the final arrangements with Angel. It would be a closed coffin at the service with only select friends going into the viewing room to say good-bye. Eventually, they all sat down for their service. Roger was on one-side of the church with Mimi and Benny choosing the exact opposite side. Collins sat at the front with Paul on one side and Mark on the other. The preacher started the service, and then one by one each friend went up to the altar to speak. First Mimi, then Mark telling a classic story about Angel meeting the tourists from Idaho, and then Roger surprisingly took the stage.
"While I didn't spend much time with Angel over the last few months, she had a huge impact on my life. From encouraging friendships to encouraging me to attend Life Support meetings, Angel was a key reason I made it out of the house. She was always good at reading people. The last time I was in her hospital room, she told me that I didn't have to come back. She gave me a kiss on the cheek, and a whispered a few thing in my ear. She could tell I was uncomfortable. She must have thought that I didn't like hospitals, but I didn't like seeing her like that. She was full of energy. No one will be able to give me a swift kick in butt when I need one like she did. Not pushy or demanding, but just a loyal friend. I miss her."
Roger sat back down with Mark looking drained.
"Dude, that was the most you've said in months." Mark said, and Roger rolled his eyes cracking an unexpected smile as Maureen made her way to the altar.
After an emotional speech from Maureen, Joanne and Collins stood at the front together saying the final words. They followed the coffin to the graveyard, picking up roses on the way out the door.
One by one, they placed the scarlet roses on the coffin. They made their way to the gates leaving Collins at the coffin. He placed the flower on Angel's coffin and picked up the drumsticks. Unable to move for a moment, he thought back on the past happy months. At the beginning, he was surprised at Angel's force of energy. Drained from his teaching job, he was weary to start a draining relationship, but Angel immediately treated him and everyone with so much love that he felt full, not empty. It continued, only getting better, and now, it was unbelievable that she was gone. Once again, he was empty inside. Even more so than before. Shaking his head, he placed his hands one more time on the coffin, patted it gently, and then followed the group who were making their way to the cars.
