Chapter 26
2 Weeks Later….
We were slowly walking towards at through cemetery next to the small church on the hill. It was raining, but only lightly. There was a light breeze, just enough to bring chills. Chloe, Joey's father, and a few other of his family members were ahead of us. And then there were a few of Joey's friends carrying the casket in front.
The bell in the church tower rang slowly… I held tightly onto Will's arm as we continued. Trying to not cry, I felt so guilty, I have still not forgave myself to this day for letting Joey do what he did to save me. Liam was on Will's other side and Will had his other arm around him.
After we reached the gravesite the reverend said a few words on his behalf, as did Joey's father. But Chloe remained silent the entire time, standing on the other end far away from Will, Liam, and I never making eye contact.
"Joseph died a good man; a loving son ,brother, and friend.... But let us not dwell on the much to soon end to this wonderful young man, but remember who he lived to be. In our hearts he will always be with us, watching from the heavens as a guardian angel to all those he loved so dearly. Let us now bow our heads, in a moment of remembrance to our dear friend… We ask that he lie in peace, for he will no longer join us physically, but in our spirits every second of everyday… he will be missed dearly…In gods name we prey, amen…"
"Amen…" we all followed raising our heads as we slowly started saying our last goodbyes to Joey as they lowered him. We each took a flower and dropped it down to him.
Of the three of us, Will dropped his first, "I wish I could have known you better, or longer so that I could thank you for all you've done for my family… you were there when I couldn't be, and for that I'll thank you for the rest of our lives…" he dropped his flower in.
Liam went next, he'd already been crying, " I'll miss you Uncle Joey, I… I…" Liam jumped back into Will and mine's embrace as he started crying more.
"It's okay Liam, It's okay…" Will said trying to comfort Liam. Liam wiped away a few tears and dropped his flower.
Then it was my turn, I looked down at the flower in my hands, wishing that I'd wake up and have this all be a nightmare.
"You can do it, just be strong…" Will whispered sweetly as I nodded my head and stepped forward.
"I'll never forget you Joey… never. I wish that there was a way to fix this but… I'm so sorry…" I started crying worse and slowly let go of the flower as it went down.
Will, Liam, and I then said goodbye to Joey's father and left back down the hill and on to our home. The sound of the bell haunted me all the way home… and everyday after that when I heard it ring, I thought of that grim day on the hill, by the church, where we let our close friend to rest for good…