Wednesday May 13, 1987
Dustin's funeral was being held at the cemetery outside of town. The family had opted for a small service to be held graveside. They didn't want to have to endure visitation and a large funeral.
Chevonne sat in the car between her mom and Randy. Elaine and Bob were in the front seat as Bob drove them towards the cemetery. She had not slept the night before.
"You okay? You haven't said much." Randy asked.
"I am just dreading this. I want to be there for Cody and his family but….it's so final." She said.
"We'll get through it." Randy assured her.
"It is a rough thing. Just hold on to how much you loved Dustin. Think about the good times." Judi told her.
Bob parked the car in the cemetery behind several other that were parked in a line. A few others were standing around. Out in the cemetery they could see the tent set up over Dustin's grave. They got out of the car. Chevonne and Randy walked over to join their friends who were standing together.
"Roman, glad you're here." She hugged him.
"How you holding up?" he asked.
"I don't know." She said.
"Kristin, Naomi." She hugged the girls.
"Brandi is with Cody and the family. They are at the grave having some…private time." Naomi said.
"Teddy, you sure you're up to this?" Randy asked.
"Yeah, Cody needs us and the doctor said saying goodbye would help my grieving process." Ted said.
Coach Simmons and Mr. Hart walked over to them. "How are you kids holding up?"
"Coach?" Jimmy asked.
"We knew Dustin when he went to Carter High School. We wanted to pay our respects." Coach Simmons said.
"You kids okay? I know you have been through a lot." Mr. Hart said.
"Hanging in there. Our families have been great." Jey said.
"If you kids ever need to talk, you can come to any of us teachers. This has been upsetting to us too." Coach Simmons said.
"Thanks coach." Randy said.
Fatu walked over to where the kids were standing. "It's time."
You could see everyone mentally brace themselves as they walked across the cemetery towards the tent. There were some people there they didn't recognize. Friends of Dustin's and the Rhodes family. As they approached the tent they should see the Rhodes family and Brandi seated by Dustin's coffin that was covered in flowers.
They stood around the grave, the parents staying near their kids but understanding they needed each other as well. A minister stood at the front of the tent and began speaking.
"Family, friends we gather today to lay to rest our loved one Dustin Rhodes. Though this be a time of grief and sadness, let us take comfort that because of our faith we know this is not goodbye but merely saying 'until we meet again'." The minister said.
Chevonne reached for Roman's hand as the minister continued talking. She found it difficult to look at the coffin.
"The 23rd Psalm reminds us 'Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for thou art with me.' Dustin's final battle with death is over and he is victorious. We may not understand the reasons why Dustin was taken from us so early, but God is still God and still on the throne." The minister continued.
Jimmy held Naomi as she was crying. Kristin was crying and trying to comfort Ted who was holding back tears as was Randy.
"As I have met with the Rhodes family the past few days, they have shared with me beautiful stories of Dustin. How happy Dustin was to be a big brother to Cody. Cody shared stories of Dustin making a point to attend school plays and sporting events. Dustin taking Cody and his friends fishing and to the fair when they were smaller. Dusty sharing stories of Dustin as a child and working alongside him in home improvement projects. These are now precious memories that everyone can keep with them to keep Dustin close in their hearts."
Chevonne finally broke down as Roman tried to comfort her. Judi handed her some tissues. Fatu was hugging the twins and Naomi. As the service drew to a close, the minister offered a final prayer.
"Lord as we leave this place, we ask for comfort. We know Dustin is in your care now and give us peace as we adjust to life without him. Help us to carry Dustin in our hearts until that day we are reunited on streets of gold. Take us safely from this place. Amen." The minister finished. "That concludes the service. The Rhodes family invites you to a reception at their home. Please feel free to say your farewells."
A few people began dispersing from the group. Brandi was very shaken up and her father escorted her away from the tent.
"You ready to say goodbye to Dustin?" Randy asked.
"I….oh god this is it isn't it?" Chevonne cried.
"I'll go with you." Roman said.
"Me too." Randy said.
"Yeah, us too." The twins said.
"I can't go up there. I just can't." Ted said.
"It's okay. No one is gonna make you." Kristin assured him. "Dustin knows you love him. He knows." She hugged him.
"I can't go either. I just feel like I am gonna vomit." Naomi cried.
"We understand. Everyone handles things differently." Chevonne hugged her.
"Go on and see Cody. He needs us now." Jimmy said.
"And Brandi is at the cars. She needs us too." Jey said.
Ted wrapped a friendly arm around Naomi and walked with her over to where Cody was talking to a few others that had come. The group of friends walked up to the coffin. None of them knowing what to say.
Finally Roman laid his hand on the coffin lid. "Wish I had the chance to get to know you better. I appreciate you being so welcoming the few times I did see you. Sorry goodbye came too soon."
"Thanks for being such a good guy. It was always nice to see you. And you meant a lot to Teddy." Kristin touched the coffin.
"We'll miss you. Hope you keep watching over us from heaven." Chevonne laid her hand on the coffin lid.
"We'll look after Cody, you don't have to worry about him. Thanks for all good memories." Randy put his hand on the coffin.
"Cody's parties won't be the same without you looking out for us. We'll miss you man." Jey said and touched the coffin.
"We love you man. You can rest easy…we'll be okay." Jimmy rested his hand next to Jey's.
They stood a moment longer and then went to be with Cody, offering him hugs and comfort before leaving so the family could be alone to say their final goodbyes.
(1pm)
The reception following Dustin's funeral was held in the backyard of the Rhodes home. Everyone had gathered to relax a bit after the funeral. The kids were all seated at one table in the backyard talking among themselves.
Fatu was standing on the deck watching the kids as he sipped his coffee. Sika joined him and noticed where he was looking.
"I think teenagers are stronger than we give them credit for." Sika said.
"You may be right. Even with all the nightmares and grief they are hanging in there better than I thought they would." Fatu agreed.
"I've been watching them too. They're good kids. They really look out for each other. I am glad Roman joined up with them when we moved here." Sika said.
"I think they help each other more than the doctors. I know it's been good for my boys having Roman here." Fatu said.
"Do you think the kids will ever be normal after this? I know they will heal in time but I wonder what permanent damage has been done." Sika asked.
"It will take time. But they are young and resilient. They won't forget but they will cope." Fatu said.
Cody walked out of the house and joined his friends at the table they were seated at.
"Hey Cody, where you been?" Randy asked.
"I laid down for a bit. I needed a short rest." Cody said.
"How you feeling?" Roman asked.
"Better. It's strange but I feel better. Like….the worst is over." Cody said. "By the way, I know I have been a zombie lately but I really appreciate how much everyone has done lately."
"We understand. We just wanted to do whatever we could for you." Kristin said.
"Have you eaten anything?" Brandi asked him.
"No, but I feel like I could eat something." He said.
"Come on, I will go with you to get a plate." Brandi said and stood up.
Everyone watched as Cody and Brandi went to where the buffet table had been set up.
"The school is reopening next week." Jey said.
"Maybe getting back in a routine will be good for us." Randy said.
"I've decided I am going to see a counselor." Chevonne said.
"You made a decision?" Naomi asked.
"Yeah…..I still can't sleep well. I didn't sleep at all last night." She said.
"I think that is a great idea." Roman said.
"Me too." Jimmy said.
Friday May 15, 1987
(1pm)
Roman was waiting outside the funeral home for Chevonne to arrive with her mom and the Orton's. He wanted to be there for her when she walked in and saw Brett dead for the first time. He was amazed at the people there, teachers, students, family, and friends.
Finally he saw them walking through the parking lot. Bob and Elaine were both holding on to Randy who looked a bit pale. Judi was holding on to Chevonne.
"Roman, how you doing sweetheart?" Elaine asked.
"Okay I guess." He answered.
"How's Teddy doing?" Bob asked.
"Having a rough time. Mrs. DiBiase is nearly hysterical." Roman said.
"Come on, it'll be okay." Judi said.
Roman took Chevonne's other hand as they walked inside the funeral home. There were flowers lining both sides of the room. Soft chamber music was playing in the background. At the front of the room was Brett's coffin, closed with an arrangement of flowers on top. Setting to the right of the coffin was a large picture of Brett.
"Wait….why is his coffin closed?" Randy asked.
The adults looked at each other. Finally Elaine spoke up. "Ted felt it would be best for it to be a closed casket service considering…..Brett's injuries."
Chevonne paled. "I feel like I am gonna be sick."
"Come on, sit down." Judi and Roman walked Chevonne over to one of the chairs. "Sit down and relax a moment. I know this is all a lot to deal with." Judi said.
Roman sat down next to Chevonne as Judi gave her a few tissues.
"Just breathe. Do you need to put your head between your knees?" Roman rubbed her back.
"No, I just want to vomit." She said.
"Take it easy." Roman said.
"How could….I mean…..it's bad enough they killed him….but to….." Chevonne started to gag.
"Shhhhh, baby…no. Don't think about that now." Judi said. "Now is the time to think about how much you loved Brett and the happy times. Don't let your final goodbye be filled with negative images."
"Your mom is right. Remember the good times….think about Brett going to the baseball games with you. And eating at the Brick Oven." Roman said.
"Yeah, okay. I'll try." She said.
"How are you kids holding up?" Coach Richter walked over to them.
"About as well as could be expected." Chevonne said.
"If there is anything I can do. You know I like to take care of my girls. You too Roman." She smiled.
"Thanks, it is so nice that the teachers are here." Chevonne said.
"You want to try going up front? Might do you good to see some of your friends." Judi said.
"I will. This is the last thing I can do for Brett. And Teddy needs me." She took a deep breath and stood up.
Judi and Roman started to walk up front with her. She saw Randy standing with his parents crying. Randy rarely cried. She hurried up to him and threw her arms around him.
"Are you sure they aren't real siblings?" Roman asked Judi.
"Sometimes I think they were siblings in a previous life and found each other again in this one." Judi said.
"You gonna be okay?" Chevonne asked him.
"I just didn't realize how hard this was gonna be." Randy said.
"Me either. But we can get through it." She said.
"You guys okay?" the twins walked up to them.
"We will be." Chevonne said. "Where is Naomi?"
"With her parents." Jimmy said.
"Most of our teachers are here. Principal Flair is around somewhere too." Jey said.
"It's nice to think that Brett touched so many lives." Chevonne said.
"Yeah I wish I had got to hang out with him more. He was a nice guy." Roman agreed. "He went to the lake with us and I really thought he was a good guy."
"We should check on Teddy." Chevonne said.
"He is in one of the side rooms. Coach Austin and Coach Simmons are with him. Kristin is around somewhere." Jey said.
(4pm)
Everyone was at the Dibiase home for the reception following Brett's funeral. The kids were glad that both funerals were over. They all had a sense of relief. Kristin had gone to lay down for a bit in a guestroom. The kids were finishing up eating gathered in the sitting room.
"I think I am gonna take a few more days off of school." Teddy said.
"I go to a counselor on Monday. I made an appointment with one the school is paying for." Chevonne said.
"Do you want to go for a walk? I need some air." Roman said.
"Go on, show him the gardens." Teddy said.
"You sure?" she asked.
"Yeah, I have to make the rounds and speak with the guests." Teddy said.
Chevonne and Roman stood up and made their way out the back door. They walked across the lawn to the gardens. Chevonne reached over and took Roman's hand.
"Thank you for being so wonderful this week. I don't know what I would've done without you and mama and Randy, and the Orton's." she said.
"No thanks needed. I wanted to take care of you." He admitted.
"I thought the service today was really nice. As hard as it was to say goodbye, it was a beautiful way to remember Brett."
"It was nice." He agreed.
"I'm still not sleeping like I should. The nightmares are the worst." She admitted.
"I think counseling will help. Maybe going back to school and having a distraction will help."
"Sometimes I think I am going crazy."
"You're not. You've been through something horrible…we all have. None of us are ourselves right now." Roman assured her.
"How do you always know the right thing to say?" she asked.
"I am just very wise." He winked.
"It's strange this all started a week ago. I mean this time last week we were at dinner at Bonanza with our families…seems like forever ago instead of just a week."
"It is….but we'll get through it. We have come this far." He said.
"Is it wrong of me to want to get away from everything for a bit and actually…enjoy something?"
"No, that is not wrong. I think that is what we all want." Roman said.
"But is it wrong to enjoy something so soon after my friends being murdered?"
"Do you think Dustin and Brett would want you to quit having fun?" he asked.
"No, of course not."
"There you go." He told her.
"You are very wise." She hugged him.
He held her and rubbed her back. "Tell you what. Next weekend, you and me will go out. Whatever you want to do."
"That sounds great. You are so wonderful."
He chuckled. "I try."
"I need to run to the restroom. All that iced tea. And then I want to check on Kristin." She said. "But thank you. Getting out and actually enjoying some time together sounds great." She kissed him quickly and hurried back towards the house.
Chevonne hurried to the upstairs bathroom. She was glad the upper level of the home was empty and quiet. After using the restroom, she washed her hands. When she checked her appearance in the mirror she realized she looked beyond exhausted. She had dark circles under her eyes that her make-up was not hiding as well as she had hoped.
She opened the door and headed down the hall to find the guest room that Kristin was resting in. She walked past Teddy's room and made a point to not look at Brett's room. As she walked past Ted's office, she heard voices inside.
"….that Nikki girl doesn't fit." Ted said.
"And Dwayne was killed in an accident. He wasn't brutally murdered." Bob said.
She shrugged and hurried down the hall, stopping at a guest room. She peeked inside and saw Kristin lying on the bed.
"Kristin? You okay?" she asked.
Kristin turned over and looked at her. "Chevonne, come on in."
"I just wanted to check on you." Chevonne sat on the edge of the bed.
"I needed some quiet. It has been a long day." Kristin said.
"I know, but things will get better."
"That is what everyone keeps saying." Kristin sighed.
"Look at it this way. The worst is over….our friends were killed, we got through the funerals. Things have to get better." Chevonne told her.
"You're right. Just hard to believe that right now." She said.