Okay so I've tried to make this as realistic as possible. I googled some stuff and tried to find out about traditional Jewish funerals but then again the stuff I found out might be a load of crap so I apologise if it's all wrong.
I know The Nana lived in New York and the Miami but I didn't want o have to jet them all over the country so her funeral is taking place in Orange County.
This chapter is just really to fill in some gaps before the next chapter even though not much happens in it so again I'm sorry lol
Please review
Chapter 12
Kirsten straightened Seth's tie and smiled sadly, "You look handsome." Seth smiled awkwardly and nodded.
"You look… pretty… too…" he stopped and laughed again. Kirsten nodded and turned to Ryan who was waiting anxiously in the hall behind them. She knew he would feel silly wearing the yarmulke but he had insisted he be respectful.
"Honey, you don't need to wear it if…"
"No. It's fine. I mean it's tradition right so… it's fine."
Kirsten linked her arm in Seth's and headed toward the door.
Ryan drove in silence with Kirsten at his right. Seth sat in the back and fidgeted in his seat. The last time the boys had seen him was when she was still in the hospital. That was weeks ago. She could tell they were both tense. She reached over and placed her hand on Ryan's. She turned and looked at Seth, "He's still your dad." She said softly, "Both of you." Seth twisted his face in disgust.
"Yeah sure." Kirsten sighed. She knew she couldn't change his mind. He had to do it on his own. He had to want to see him again. She wouldn't force them. But she knew that Ryan had lived long enough without a father. He wouldn't want to have to cope without one again. Ryan glanced at Kirsten and nodded slightly so that only she could see. The rest of the drive was in silence.
They pulled up outside the chapel. There were a few people dotted around all dressed in black. Kirsten recognised Sandy's brother smoking next to the door. He noticed them as they climbed out of the car. "David, how are you?" she asked and accepted his hug. He smiled sadly and Ryan was hit by the alikeness of him to Sandy. They had the same brilliant blue eyes and when they smiled their face lit up. But his eyebrows were much less wild and he was tall and slim like Seth.
"Holding up. How are you, Kirsten? I heard about…I'm so sorry. He doesn't know what he's lost." David answered showing obvious disgust for his brother. Kirsten shook her head and took his hand.
"He's still your brother," she said firmly, "Lets just try and get through this first okay?" She turned to Ryan, "This is Ryan. Ryan this is Sandy's brother David." Both men shook hands and David grinned.
"Yeah sorry I haven't come down to see ya buddy," he said apologetically, "But it's good to meet you. You sound like a good guy."
"Nah man it's fine. Sorry about your mom." Ryan said releasing his grip. David turned his attention to Seth.
"Little man! How you been doing? God you've grown. Catching up to me buddy." He laughed. Seth grinned for the first time in weeks and embraced his uncle.
Just as David pulled away a young brunette appeared at his side. Kirsten spoke with her for a second as the boys continued to talk to David. Finally Ryan and she were introduced, "Ryan this is Sarah. Sandy's sister."
After another awkward meeting they were seated in the chapel. Sandy stayed at the front knowing full well that he would have to wait for his kids to approach him. Ryan was surprised to see that the casket was a plain wooden box. There were no carvings or designs on it at all. He wanted to ask Seth why but he knew it would be a stupid thing to do in the middle of a funeral.
Both Ryan and Kirsten were unfamiliar with any of the Jewish practises and so followed Seth at the appropriate moments. They stood and sat and said amen just as Seth did and walked out to the graveside just behind him. Seth seemed to be taking it hard. He hadn't spoken much over the past few hours but he didn't seem to be anywhere near crying. Kirsten held his hand tight in her own and he squeezed back appreciatively. They surrounded Sandy and his siblings at the graveside. Sandy's shoulders shook and David placed his arm around him. The casket was lowered after several prayers and they all stood waiting to throw dirt into the grave. Ryan glanced at Seth again and saw his face chalk white in the light. His eyes were brimming slightly with tears as he lifted the shovel and threw in three lots of dirt. Ryan saw that he never took his eyes off of his father. He watched him intently waiting to see if he looked at him. He wanted him to look at
him. To acknowledge his presence but he didn't turn.
Sandy waited patiently with David and Sarah as the mourners left the cemetery each taking a turn to wash their hands. He stared at the ground afraid to look up in case he caught the eye of one of his sons. He couldn't take the pity. Or the disappointment. So he continued to stare at his shoes. A few seconds later another pair of shoes appeared next to his own. He looked up and saw Kirsten in front of him. "Kirsten," he said breathlessly. Kirsten studied his face, clean-shaven and washed for his mother but tiered and gaunt at the same time. He looked like he had aged about ten years since their last meeting. She pulled him into an embrace and held him firm.
"I'm sorry, Sandy." She whispered softly. He wrapped his arms around her holding on as long as he could knowing he could never hold her so close ever again. The warmth of her body eased its way through his heavy coat and he pulled her tighter to him.
"I don't wanna let go," he said tearfully. She pulled back and kissed him gently on the cheek.
"Go talk to your sons," she whispered. He let her go, the warmth draining from him as she walked in the opposite direction. He saw Ryan talking to David quietly but there gentle conversation halted as he approached them. David made his excuses and left quickly leaving an uneasy silence in his wake.
"Ryan," he said gently.
"I'm sorry about your mom," he finished for him. He was obviously trying to make it as easy as he could. Ryan wasn't about to let him go. As much as he had hurt Kirsten he couldn't handle not having a dad again.
"Thanks. I just wanted to say… sorry and… I still wanna see you. If that's what you want." He paused knowing his wording was all wrong, "I mean I understand if you never want to see me again but… if you do then. Then let me know." He stopped and waited for Ryan to react but instead he stared at him not knowing what to do. After a second Ryan nodded.
"I do wanna see you but… I need time before I… I wanna get the image of you out of my head. I can't think of you like… like AJ or… you're not like that. I know you're a good person but right now you're just a guy who beats up his wife and I don't want to see you like that. Give me a while and I'll call you or come see you." Sandy nodded surprised at his response. Ryan left him alone and returned to Kirsten and Seth.
Sandy saw his dark headed son staring at him. He wanted to go up and try to make peace but he couldn't find the feeling in his legs. Just as he was about to turn away he saw Kirsten gasp in his direction. He frowned and turned to see what she was staring at to find a familiar brunette walking toward him.
Kirsten felt her heart tear in two as he hugged her tight.
Rebecca Bloom was back.
The woman who started it all
The woman who turned her husband into a monster
Kirsten felt sick as she watched her squeeze his hand and hold it against her chest. Kirsten turned and placed her hand on a tree to steady her quaking frame. Ryan took her elbow. "Are you okay?" he said concerned. Kirsten nodded.
"Just dizzy. Can we go home?" she asked hurriedly. Seth and Ryan both went to her side and helped her across the cemetery as Sandy watched over Rebecca's shoulder.Hope you liked.
