Hello there! Well, thanks to Coronavirus, classes are moved online, and I've come home for the rest of the semester. So, I suppose I have more time for stories. So I have more time for this one as well. This will focus on the funerals of Bobby and Devery. So... it'll be a bit sad. Let's see how things go.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Chapter 8: Homegoings

Albert looked at himself in the mirror. He was dressed nicely today, almost today wasn't all that happy. Today, the services for Bobby and Devery would occur. Bobby's was at twelve, while Devery's would be at two.

The fat boy figured it would be right to attend both. Although he didn't know Bobby as well as he knew Devery. Somehow, he felt it was right...

It wasn't long before he and his folks rode down to the church. It was already full of the presence of Bobby's friends, family, and others who came to pay their respects. Albert included.

Bobby's casket was at the altar, but it remained closed. Probably for the best.

Albert and his folks sat near the middle of the sanctuary. Looking around, he didn't really see any of his friends aside from Harold who was sitting near the front, and surprisingly, Rudy. Didn't he say he wasn't planning on attending?

Soft music was played by someone on an organ, but it seemed to be drowned out by the muffled sobbing of mourners. The loudest of the cries had to be Mrs. Hanson, who had her hands on her son's casket.

Albert's heart went out to her. To everyone who was affected.

Soon, the service began as the pastor walked up to the podium.

"We're gathered here today to celebrate the life of young Robert Hanson, whose life was so cruelly taken away days ago." He spoke into the microphone, "But we're not here to dwell on that, for today we will focus on the happier times."

A few minutes went by of the pastor speaking before two songs and prayer of comfort followed. After that, people were given a chance to speak about Bobby.

And much to Albert's surprise, Rudy came up to the podium to speak.

"I remember Bobby..." He started, "Although the memories aren't so fond. To me, he was a jerk most of the time. I remember how he always revved up his car every single night and made so much noise that I couldn't sleep. But something I'll always remember is him backing over my new bike with his car last year, and he wouldn't pay for it. We went to court, and I won, obviously, and beat him in a bike race."

The rich boy frowned a bit when it didn't look like the audience was amused, "But y'know... despite our spats... I didn't hate Bobby enough to wanna see him dead. He didn't deserve that..."

Rudy then looked up, "So... Bobby, if you can hear me. I just wanna say that... I hope you're resting in peace... I wish we could've gotten along better... anyway, that's all I have to say."

With that, he walked back to his seat as people made noises of approval. After a few more speakers, another song was performed, before Bobby's father delivered the eulogy, ending the service.

While most of everyone left to follow the body to the nearby cemetery, Albert stayed behind to speak with Harold and Rudy.

"Rudy, I didn't think you were gonna come to Bobby's funeral." He said to the rich boy.

"I didn't think I was gonna be here either..." Rudy admitted, "But something was telling me to come. As much as Bobby annoyed the crap outta me... he was still a person I had a connection with. I felt the need to say something."

Harold nodded, "I'm glad they didn't show the body..."

"Me too. I already saw too much of it that night..."

"Well... that's one homegoing of many to come..." Albert spoke, "I guess we better head on to the funeral home for Devery's."

Rudy sighed, "Yep... one difference between this and that... I didn't have any reason to cry here..."

Thirty minutes later...

Much like Bobby's, Devery's service had quite a few people. And this time, the whole gang was present.

Everyone was gathered in the lobby of the building. Russell sat next to Melba on a couch, rubbing her hand in comfort. When Rudy saw that, he joined them to take Melba's other hand.

"How're you doin'?" He asked her softly.

"I'm fine right now... but I know in a few minutes, I won't be..." She admitted.

"Well, you know that you've got my shoulder to cry on when you need it."

Russell nodded, "Mine too..."

Melba smiled a little, "Thanks."

"And our shoulders as well..." Albert said as he, Bill, Donald, Harold, Bucky, and Mush walked over, "Hey, hey, hey, we'll wipe your tears away..."

"May I have everyone's attention?" One of the officiators walked into the lobby, "The service is about to begin. We ask that the family take their seats first."

With that, Melba got up from the couch with a deep breath and joined her family down the hall. After a few minutes, everyone else was able to join.

Flowers were everyone at the front, and in the center was Devery's silver-lined casket. A picture of him was on top.

The boys sat near the front, directly behind Melba. Russell rubbed her shoulder for support, just as the service began.

"Devery was a bright young man who had his whole life ahead of him." The pastor spoke, "That life was tragically cut short by the string of violence that's been happening in our community. We only hope that justice will prevail, but for now, we remember not with sadness, but with fondness..."

This was about the same as Bobby's memorial. Even down to the muffled sobs and tears. Albert looked to his left to see Rudy shedding tears of his own, as he mentioned before.

After the prayer of comfort, a song was sung beautifully by Devery and Melba's cousin, Mariah. And of course, the messages by family and friends came next.

Of course, Rudy walked up to give his speech, making sure to keep it short and simple, "Dev and I often always got into trouble. But we had fun doing it. Some say we were a bad influence on each other, but I say, we were partners in crime. I couldn't have asked for a better friend... aside from my other friends of course."

A few of the guys rolled their eyes at that comment, which Rudy noticed, "I see my friends agree. Anyways, I love ya, Dev. And I'll miss ya."

With a sniff, Rudy walked back to his seat. Melba gathered up her courage to go up as the last one.

"Devery..." She started, "We never got along all the time. Sometimes, he would do something stupid. Sometimes, I would find a reason to get him in trouble. But... I did it to have fun... but mostly... out of love... sometimes, I really didn't want him to get into more trouble. Like Halloween for instance. Momma grounded him, but he went out anyways. I knew what would happen if our folks found out he snuck out, so I tried to get him home."

The gang remembered that one. Devery got himself into trouble by ignoring his punishment and staying out too late. He was on lockdown for a long time because of it.

Melba took another deep breath as she spoke, "Despite everything, Devery was a good boy. He may have been stupid sometimes, but he was a good boy regardless! And I want him to be remembered as a good person, not as a stupid troublemaker... A good person who was taken from us far too soon!"

A few people clapped. This was a lot coming out of a nine-year-old.

"I never told him that I loved him much... but if I could... I'd tell him that I love him a million times." Tears were streaming down her cheeks, "Devery, if you're listening, I love you! I always will love you! I'd give anything for you, brother! I love you so much! Thank you..."

Mrs. Suter got up to help her daughter down. Almost everyone in the room was moved to tears by her speech. It made the situation more devastating.

After the eulogy, the service ended, and everyone trickled out of the funeral home.

"I wanna thank you guys for coming... I think Devery would've appreciated that..." Melba showed her gratitude for the guys outside the building.

Rudy smiled, "We were happy to be here to support ya... just know that if you need us at any time... we'll be here..."

"You really aren't so bad, Rudy... anyways, we're having dinner at my aunt's house. You're welcome to come if you'd like."

"Hey, hey, hey, Nothing can keep us away." Albert smiled.

Harold snickered, "Of course, nothing can keep Fat Albert away from the food."

Everyone had to laugh at that. After a day of remembering and sadness, it was nice to have a bit of lightheartedness.

Unfortunately, even the boys knew that this wasn't the end. There was still plenty of heaviness looming over North Philly. There were still plenty of victims to bury... murderers to find... and a mystery to solve...

Later that night, the guys, after a nice dinner with Devery's family, bid everyone farewell, as they were walking down the street.

"Hey, hey, hey... what a day..." Albert sighed.

"I'll say..." Bill added, "That was the saddest event I've been to... so how was Bobby Hanson's thing?"

"It was alright..." Harold answered, "And would you believe it, Rudy actually had something to say about him."

"Well... I felt like I had to say something... besides, anything to get his friends off my ass." Rudy admitted, "Maybe they won't think I killed him."

Donald sighed, not paying too much attention to the current conversation, "All this talk about funerals... it makes me afraid... 'cause you know, Elaine's is on Monday, and I still haven't decided if I'm goin'..."

"We'll support you in whatever you choose to do..." Bucky assured, "We know it's tough..."

Donald smiled, "T-Thanks..."

"Say, Harold. Have Violet's parents made any arrangements?" Albert asked.

The tall boy shook his head, "I don't think so. It's only been a day now..." He sighed, "But when they do, I'm gonna help them out. It's the least I can do..."

"That's nice of you... and... let's all hope that things will get better..."

And so, the boys continued home to hopefully get a good night's sleep. After today, that's all they wanted and needed.

So today, we lay Bobby and Devery to rest and see what had to be said. I mentioned that this wouldn't be too long, but I hope you enjoyed it regardless. Next chapter, we'll get our next murder victim. The deaths won't stop, will they? Until then, I'll see you guys later. And as always, don't forget to review, please. Thank you!