Sand and Water Chapter 9

Strength Needed

Disclaimer: I own no one!

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The small funeral home was crowded. Everywhere John looked, there was some insensitive individual, ready to offer misguided condolences.

"John," Randy's second cousin said. "Know he's fine. You can always find someone else,"

John turned his back on the idiotic man. He hated being here. He hated Randy for dying. He didn't need any of this crap.

"Daddy!" Rhiannon called, running up to him. He picked her up. She laid her head on his shoulder. "I was afraid you were going to leave and never come back, like Papa," Tears flooded John's eyes.

As much as he hated to admit it, Randy's absence was having a profound effect on Rhiannon's fragile psyche. She hadn't laughed since the night he died. He couldn't remember the last time she had smiled.

He was worried.

"Daddy, why is everyone around that big box?" she asked, glancing towards the front of the funeral home. People were gathered around the casket.

"That's what Papa's being buried in. Remember we talked about it?" he asked. She nodded. "Do you want to see his body?" She nodded.

Against his better judgement, he pushed through the crowd of people. The closer they got to the casket, the tighter Rhiannon clung.

This would be the first time since Randy's death that John had seen him. Glancing down at the shell of his lover, John couldn't believe how unusual Randy looked.

He looks so unlike himself, he thought, trying not to cry.

"Daddy, can I touch him?" Rhiannon asked. John shook his head.

"That's not the best idea, Rhia," he said, not thinking.

"Don't call me Rhia! That's Papa's name!" she screamed. The funeral home fell silent. John set her on the ground.

Rhiannon ran to the casket. She reached out and touched Randy's body. A look of pure confusion crossed her face.

John knew what had happened.

Rhiannon had expected Randy to 'wake' up. She had expected him to be warm. She had expected him to be as she remembered.

"Baby," he whispered, touching her. She screeched. "Don't cry,"

Rhiannon ran into Chris. The other man picked her up. She wailed loudly. He rubbed her back.

"I'm taking her outside!" he called.

John fell to his knees. Tears of pain, tears of angst ran down his face. He had hurt his baby girl. He hadn't meant to slip.

"Why?" he wailed. "Why, God, why?"

Lance stumbled from the back of the crowd. Gently, he slipped his arm around John's shoulders. Then, he eased the distraught man up.

"You're going to be fine," he whispered in a soothing tone of voice. Silently, John nodded.

He was unable to believe how badly he had fallen apart. Pain tore through him. Shaking violently, he looked around. Then, he remembered Rhiannon was outside with Chris.

One thought lingered on his addled mind.

Where was strength when he needed it?

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I love this story! It's easily one of my favorites!

Chapter 10 should be up tomorrow night.

JenLea

Read, Review but most of all... ENJOY!