Chapter Nine:
The morning of Topanga's funeral was bright and cheery. Cory hobbled down stairs and forced himself to eat, then began to get ready to greet friends and family. He pulled on his nice suit, and sat down to wait for the time to pass until it was time to leave.
Finally, the old grandfather clock struck one O'clock and Cory and Mrs. Mathews set off for the beautiful church where the service would be held.
When they arrived, Cory shook hands with people and reminisced about Topanga, but at the same time he felt numb and distant. Finally, he took his seat in the front row and sat down to hear people talk about his wife.
The funeral was opened with Angela singing a song she and Topanga had listened to all the time in college. Angela did a brilliant job with the song, even through her tears. The music finished, and she took her seat, weeping.
The minister walked to the front and thanked everyone for coming. Then, he invited people to come share about what Topanga meant to them.
"When I first met Topanga, it was in our 6th grade class," said an obviously distraught Shawn Hunter, "We teased her mercilessly because she was going through some kind of weird phase. As the years went on, I watched her mature into a beautiful women with a gift for touching people's lives. I don't really know if I believe in God or not, but if there is a God, he took Topanga away too soon. But I can understand why. She was an angel who slipped through his fingers and somehow ended up living on Earth. We're all going to miss her."
He too his seat, and an old man with a cane hobbled to the front.
"I was Topanga's teacher for years," began Mr. Feeny, "She was on of the brightest young ladies I ever taught. She had charisma and passion and grace. Losing Topanga Mathews was a loss for the world."
"Topanga was my son's girlfriend for years. Even before she married him she was like a daughter to me. She was never too busy to sit down and have a chat with me over a cup of tea. But that's just the kind of person she was. She was never too busy for anyone."
"Topanga has been my best friend since high school. She helped me through hard times in my relationship with Shawn. We pulled many an all nighter together studying for finals. She was an inspiration."
Finally, Cory got out of his seat and walked to the front.
"I loved Topanga more than words can express. Our relationship went through many twists and turns. I'd like to say I was always the perfect boyfriend, but I wasn't. I can't even tell you how horrible I fell for all the time I wasted in stupid petty fights over nothing. I can't express how sorry I am for every time I hurt her feelings. There are no words to say how much I'd like to go home and have her sitting at the table with a cup of coffee wondering where I've been. I would give anything to wake up tomorrow morning and feel her warm presence next to me. Frankly, I don't know how I can live without her. More frankly, I don't know if I even want to. All I can think about is what I could've done to stop her from going to work that day. If only I had, this would never have happened. Everyone says it's not my fault. But on some levels, it is. I should have stopped her. I should have protected her. I'm sorry…" Cory trailed off into sobbing and murmuring that no one could understand. Shawn came up and led Cory back to his seat as all those in attendance wept.
The rest of the funeral passed by in a flash for Cory. Finally, the graveside service was ending and they were preparing to lower her casket into the ground. He kissed the casket and took a single red rose from the flower arrangement on top of it. He wept as they lowered it into the ground. People began returning to their cars, but Cory just wept, wondering if he would be able to go on. He wished, for just one second, that it had been him in the car accident instead of her. He rocked back and forth and continued to weep.
"Why her God? Why my wife?" he thought as his family helped him up and to the car.
Well, there's my story. I hoped you all liked it. If I get enough good reviews, I'm even considering writing a sequel! I don't know, its up to you. Please, tell me what you thought of the story and whether or not you'd like a sequel.