Floodwater
Get your tissues ready.
The days passed too quickly for Grant's taste, and soon it was time for his parents' funeral. No sun shone upon the Smash World that day; instead, the sky was marked with clouds threatening rain. At 7a.m., the family woke and ate a silent breakfast before a limo service Master Core had ordered arrived to pick them up.
Grant and Leni sat in the front, while the kids sat in the back. All six wore black suits and dresses, and Shelia wore the gem necklace her grandmother had given her for her birthday. The four children understood the somberness of the situation and didn't fuss at all during the long ride to the Smash Mansion, where the service would take place.
At the front of the Smash Mansion, the Smashers, Assist Trophies and some visitors stood, watching the approaching limo. The Smash Flag, along with the flags denoting the fighters' universes, flew at half-mast. When the vehicle came to a stop, the driver got out and opened the doors for the family. Luigi, dressed his Sunday best, stepped forward to greet his friend as he emerged from the limo.
"Hey," he said softly, putting a hand on Grant's shoulder.
"Hey," Grant replied.
"You okay?" asked Luigi.
Grant shrugged. "I'm doing the best I can," he offered.
Luigi took the response as a "no" and offered his hand to Grant, who took it. The two men walked up the steps into the Smash Mansion.
Next, Leni climbed out of the limo, smoothed her dress and composed herself as Daisy emerged and took her hand.
"I'm really sorry, Leni," she said.
"Thank you," nodded Leni.
As Daisy escorted Leni inside, Nora, Alex, Dan and Shelia filed out and were met by Mario and Peach.
"It's okay," Dan said with a proud jut of his chin. "I'm gonna be strong for everyone. I promise."
Mario nodded, man-to-man, at the beyond-his-years child.
"I'm gonna be strong, too," Nora said softly. "I'm not gonna cry."
Peach took her hand. "It's okay to cry," she said reassuringly as she and her love escorted the kids inside.
The Main Hall was splendidly decorated. There were portraits and photos of the deceased, a visual chronology of the wonderful years they spent together as husband and wife and as parents to Grant. Contrary to what was rumored about the father, he was present at several birthday parties and key events in Grant's life, from the senior prom to his graduation ceremonies and his wedding. There was also the father with his buddies in the armed forces, and the mother with her friends. Instead of cheap folding chairs, there were comfortable seats for the congregation, and there were also colorful flower displays. And mounted on two tables were the caskets, the lids closed at Grant's insistence.
Grant, Leni and the kids were seated first, followed by other family members and relatives who had flown in, and then Luigi, Daisy, Mario, Peach, Yoshi, Rosalina, Corrine, DK, Diddy, Little Mac and the members of Grant's support group. The seating then continued, row by row, until everyone had a spot.
Finally, Master Core rose and situated himself at the pulpit. The room stilled as he began to speak.
"Smashers, we are gathered here today to honor the memory of two people who not only loved each other, but also loved their son unconditionally. Although I never had the privilege of meeting them, I had the privilege of meeting their offspring, and so impressed was I that I had no choice but to ease his burden by helping him say goodbye to them, along with my own son. May these two be rewarded for their generosity and sensitivity in the next life. I'm also to understand that your father served this country."
"He did," said Grant, "with pride and honor."
"Fear not. Special honors have also been arranged for him," said MC.
"Thank you, sir," said Grant.
"Grant—would you like to say a few words regarding your parents?"
Nodding, Grant rose and joined Master Core at the pulpit.
"While it is true that my mom and dad didn't get their happily ever after, they never stopped loving me. They didn't let the problems in their marriage encroach upon my well-being. They kept the divorce as clean and as amicable as possible. Both were there to see my first steps. Both were there to hear my first words. Both were there to see me off on my first day of school. Both were there to tell me not to eye some girl. Both were there to deal with my acne, my growth spurts and my rebel phase. Both were there to see me earn my high school diploma and my college degree. Both were there to offer suggestions regarding which colleges I should apply to and to support me in my career pathway. And when I fell in love, they welcomed Leni into the family like their biological daughter. They doted on my children like typical grandparents, telling stories, helping them bend the rules—they were far from the picture these senseless bullies painted of them. Especially my dad, who stood up to defend our country and nearly gave his life for it." Grant swallowed before concluding, "Mom, Dad—I love you, and I'm sorry. I'm sorry I wasn't there for you when you needed it the most, and Dad—I'm sorry I wasn't there to pull you back…"
"POYO!"
Before anyone could stop him, Kirby raced to the pulpit, tears in his eyes, a Maxim tomato clutched in his appendages.
"What is it, little guy?" asked Grant, crouching so he was at eye level with the puffball.
"Poyo!" sobbed Kirby, holding the Maxim tomato out to Grant. "Poyo, poyo poy poyoyo, poyo—p-poy-y-o!" His voice broke, and he collapsed in tears against Grant's chest.
"Kirby—I wish it was that easy, but it isn't," explained Grant. "This isn't a video game. They—don't get extra lives or continues. I had to explain it to Lu—bless his heart for trying to help. It's too late. They're—gone."
"Poy-y-o?" hiccupped Kirby.
"You're already helping—by being here," said Grant, kissing the fluffball atop his head.
Finally, the young Star Warrior pulled himself together and returned to his seat.
"I can still see them at my wedding," said Leni when it was her turn to speak. "His mom joked with me the entire time, from giving me the mock 'evil eye' during my walk down the aisle by telling me to nag and nag and never stop nagging because I'll always be right." She chuckled. "I got to dance with his dad after my first dance with Grant. I could see where he got his moves from. And during all four of my pregnancies, they always stopped by with gifts and advice, especially when I was pregnant with Alex and Dan. They helped with the baby showers and with baby-proofing. Even though they led rough lives, it didn't stop them from making others' lives easier. They were the best in-laws around. Rest in peace, Mom and Dad." She blew a kiss to the caskets before stepping down.
One by one, Nora, Shelia, Dan and Alex came up to share funny and touching stories about their grandparents, eliciting "aww's" and titters from the congregation. Then, the other members of Grant's immediate and extended families said a few words, some of them half-hearted. Luigi, especially, had a bad hunch about those other families. Their mannerism gave him the impression of vultures eyeing roadkill. But for his friend's sake, he kept silent about this.
After the family members had their turn, Lucas piped up. "Excuse me, may I say something?" he asked.
"Yes, you may, Lucas," said Master Core.
Lucas scurried to the pulpit and began. "Grant—I—I—I know this is hard. God, it's so hard. Losing your parents is the worst thing that can happen to you, and especially under tragic circumstances. I watched my mom die, and then my dad fell into depression, and—and I wasn't strong enough!" He sobbed a little. "When I lost my mom, and then Claus, people told me not to cry. To 'get over it'. They tried to make me forget, but I didn't want to—I loved them so much. And I know you and your wife and kids loved your parents, too. So, I realize, if it's hard for me, then it must be extremely hard for you. I just want you to know, Grant—that there are people out there who can help you like they helped me."
"I appreciate that, Lucas," said Grant.
Master Core nodded. "Thank you for reaching out to Grant," he told the blond psychic.
After Lucas sat back down, Master Hand played a slideshow of the two deceased parents, composed with the Smashers' help. Accompanying this slideshow was a beautiful melody:
The little girl she said to me
What are these things that I can see
Each night when I come home from school
And mama calls me in for tea
Oh every night a baby dies
And every night a mama cries
What makes those men do what they do
To make that person black and blue
Grandpa says their happy now
They sit with God in paradise
With angels' wings and still somehow
It makes me feel like ice
Tell me there's a heaven
Tell me that it's true
Tell me there's a reason
Why I'm seeing what I do
Tell me there's a heaven
Where all those people go
Tell me they're all happy now
Papa tell me that it's so
So do I tell her that it's true
That there's a place for me and you
Where hungry children smile and say
We wouldn't have no other way
That every painful crack of bones
Is a step along the way
Every wrong done is a game plan
To that great and joyful day
And I'm looking at the father and the son
And I'm looking at the mother and the daughter
And I'm watching them in tears of pain
And I'm watching them suffer
Don't tell that little girl
Tell me
Tell me there's a heaven
Tell me that it's true
Tell me there's a reason
Why I'm seeing what I do
Tell me there's a heaven
Where all those people go
Tell me they're all happy now
Papa tell me that it's so
After the slideshow, Master Core joined his son in reading the Bible passages Grant had requested, concluding with: "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul; he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Amen."
"Amen," said the congregation.
Mii pallbearers walked in to bear the caskets outdoors, with Grant, his family and the Smashers forming the procession. Single file, they walked out into a light drizzle, the caskets loaded into a hearse while everyone else piled into the limos. Several police motorcycles were lined up in front to escort the procession.
Down the freeway they went, traffic pulling over to allow them passage, drivers removing their hats in respect. The trip was mercifully short, and the procession finished at the Smashville National Cemetery. As they exited the limos, a small group of smartly dressed Mii servicepeople snapped off crisp salutes.
As the pallbearers set the caskets onto stone tables and the congregation took their seats, the servicepeople lined up and stood at attention. On command, they raised rifles to their shoulders and fired three volleys of shots. After the last shot echoed throughout the rainy sky, one serviceperson raised a bugle to their lips and blew taps.
On the final, sorrowful note, two Mii servicepeople walked over to the flag draped over the father's casket and proceeded to delicately fold it into a neat triangle. Then, they presented it to Grant, extending their gratitude for his father's service. The grieving salesman hugged the flag to his chest as Leni draped her arms around him. Finally, each Smasher rose and placed a Smash Ball on the two caskets. Link knelt and said an old Hylian prayer for the dead, and then it was over.
Leni and Luigi had to help Grant to his feet as the congregation walked to the limos for the ride to Grant's house, where the reception would be held. And as the procession drove over a bridge, this song began to play:
When you're weary, feeling small
When tears are in your eyes, I'll dry them all (all)
I'm on your side, oh, when times get rough
And friends just can't be found
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
When you're down and out
When you're on the street
When evening falls so hard
I will comfort you (ooo)
I'll take your part, oh, when darkness comes
And pain is all around
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Sail on silver girl
Sail on by
Your time has come to shine
All your dreams are on their way
See how they shine
Oh, if you need a friend
I'm sailing right behind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind
LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
At the reception, Grant wandered over to Lucas. "Hey," he said.
Lucas turned. "Hi, Grant."
"Thank you—for what you said at the service," said Grant. "And, y'know, if I gets too much, then I'll get you in touch with Dr. Thorpe. She can help you."
"I'm already seeing a grief counselor," said Lucas, "but thanks. I'll give you my counselor's number afterward, shall I?"
"Sure. Seriously, I can't thank you enough. A lot of people are watching out for me."
Lucas nodded. "You've been struggling with guilt over the deaths. I felt guilty, too, but Ness helped me, just like L is helping you. I have Ness, and you have Luigi. Who knows? Maybe we can be someone other grieving people can depend on."
"You're a smart kid, Lucas," smiled Grant, shaking the boy's hand.
Luigi came over, beaming at Lucas. "Thank you," he said.
"I saw him sitting there," explained Lucas. "I just couldn't let him suffer like that. I had to say something."
"When you were a mess over losing Claus and your mom, I rushed to your side," recalled Luigi. "It touched me, seeing you do the same for Grant."
Grant was then joined by Leni and the children.
"What Lucas said was kindness," said Leni. "Pure kindness. Grant and I have always taught our kids about random acts of kindness, and today, they saw why they were so valuable."
"Lucas wants to refer me to his grief counselor," said Grant.
"That's great," nodded Leni. "Lucas—when you get the chance, could you jot down the number and address for us?"
"Yes, ma'am," replied Lucas, shaking hands with the family before rejoining Ness.
"Thank you," Grant said to Luigi, "and thanks to Master Core and the other Smashers for doing this." Tears sparkled in his eyes.
"It's what we do," Luigi stated solemnly.
Grant looked over the faces of the boulders in his life. Peace began to flit through his stormy soul like a small dove. Perhaps he could end today on an optimistic note.
But seconds later, the peace would be sadistically shattered—
If you have lost a loved one and are struggling to hold on, please PM me!
Also, write down and pass on these numbers:
After Loss: 800-423-8811 (Bereavement)
Compassionate Friends (death of a child): 877-969-0010
SHARE (Pregnancy and infant loss): 800-821-6819
Vet Med (Pet loss): 800-565-1526
This chapter was relatively difficult for me to write, as I have also lost a loved one who served our country. Just know that you are not alone.