Ch.7
Summer looked at herself in the mirror.
A week had passed and the bruises had started to fade.
She carefully swept her hands over her long black skirt, making sure it was smooth.
Her father always hated the color black...and now she was wearing it to his funeral. It made her sick.
She heard a light knock on the door.
"Hey," Seth said walking in. "Is it ok if I come in?"
"Yea, come in."
He walked in and sat on Ryan's bed. Well, it was Summer's bed now. She had taken over the pool house the last few days.
"You look really pretty Summer." Seth said giving her a smile. "I mean it."
She bit her lip.
"I don't feel very pretty," she said softly.
"What was that?"
"Oh...nothing."
she walked over and grabbed her purse.
"So, do I really have to go through this? Because, I gotta tell ya Cohen, I don't know if I'm going to be able to make it."
"Hey, come here a minute." Seth said motioning for her. She walked over and sat down next to him. He wrapped his arm around her.
"I know this has got to be hard Summer...and to be honest with you, I'm not even entirely sure what I should be saying to you right now...I'm afraid it wont be enough."
Summer grabbed his hand.
"You don't have to say anything Seth...just don't let go, ok?"
He wiped away the stray tear that was creeping down her cheek.
"Never."
The funeral service was short and too the point. Summer's dad never liked attention.
Most of the visitors had already come and gone.
The Cohens, the Coopers, and Summer all stood around the casket, waiting for it to be lowered.
"Poor Summer," Kirsten whispered.
"I know, its tragic isn't it?" Julie said. "And her father? Who would have guessed he was into these types of extracurricular activities."
Kirsten just rolled her eyes.
Summer turned to Seth.
"I need a minute alone. Is that ok?"
He kissed her cheek.
"Of course it is. I'll round everybody up."
"Thanks."
She waited until they had all left before she walked over to the casket.
The police didn't give her many details about what happened to him, how he actually died , but Summer knew it was bad. She could see it in their eyes.
She placed her hand on the solid wood in front of her.
"Oh daddy," she sighed trying to stop herself from crying. "Why did you do this? Huh?"
Suddenly, she was filled with an intense rage.
"HOW COULD YOU?" she screamed at the top of her lungs. "How could you get yourself into trouble like this?
She hiccuped a sob.
"HOW COULD YOU LEAVE ME HERE!" she cried out before collapsing to the ground.
She feel to her knees, her face going to the ground She suddenly felt sick. Gagging, she coughed violently. It passed in a few minutes.
"That man raped me," she cried to herself rocking back on and forth. "He attacked me, and he killed you, and now I'm all alone. I have no one..."
She sat up and looked around. The sun shone in her eyes, a cool breeze hit her face.
"I will never forgive you for this," she said.
She stood up, wiping of her clothes, drying her eyes. She gave her father's casket one last look and walked away.
Seth was waiting at the car. He had heard her screams and it killed him inside.
But he knew she should be alone.
He saw her slowly emerge over the hill making her way towards him. He could tell she had been crying but he tried not to notice.
"Sorry about that," Summer said wiping her nose.
"Summer, you don't have to apologize for anything," he said reassuringly. "Are you ready to go, you look a little pale."
She nodded yes, not saying a word, and walked over to the passenger side of the car.
"I told everyone we would meet them back at the house...they should be there by now," Seth said turning the engine on. Just then his phone rang.
"Speak of the devil," he said answering it. "Hey dad."
Summer watched his expression. His face grew concerned.
"Sure thing Dad, we're on our way." He hung up the phone.
"What is it?" Summer asked, a pit of fear forming in her stomach.
"My dad said the cops were out our house when they arrived home."
"What did they want?"
"He didn't say...
But he said we better hurry."