A/N- Hey guys! Kait here with the first of my three chapters! Hope you like!
A/N 2- Please Read and Review! Or you can PM us at (Kait) rentislife0619 or (Mimi) Roger Davis' Song of Glory.
CHAPTER TEN
(Title- Facing Reality)
Dressed in black from head to toe, my 'family' and I walked a few blocks down to the church for Collins' funeral. The church was only a few blocks away from the loft, but no one uttered a single word. The silence alone was loud enough; words weren't needed.
We entered through the large doors. Stained glass adorned the walls, letting colorful light seep through into the church. We all sat down in the front two pews, preparing ourselves for something we didn't want to do.
Mark placed an arm around my shoulders, hugging me tightly and telling me that it would be okay. His voice was so soft, inaudible to others. His words were meant just for me. Even though I hadn't known Collins for as long as the others, I felt that I was taking his death the worst. After my father's death, my life spiraled downwards. I never thought that I would lead a normal life again until I met Mark and his loving 'family' that so graciously 'adopted' me as one of their own from the moment I moved to New York.
I was taken out of my thoughts as soon as I heard Mimi's voice. She was standing on the altar stroking a picture of Collins taken a few days before he passed on. She told stories of funny moments that only she and Collins would understand. When she finished, she blew a kiss to his casket, tears streaming down her face. "I love you," she whispered. Mimi slowly walked down the 3 steps from the altar to the floor, sat down next to Roger, and buried her face in his coat. Her sobs were loud and heart wrenching.
I became lost in my thoughts again. My daydream was much better than the reality that I knew I had to face. I couldn't face it just yet, nor did I want to.
Mark sat back down in the pew after saying a few words about his friend. Tears were streaming down his face. He wiped his eyes and placed his arm around my shoulder again. "Mary?" He shook me.
I shook my head, coming out of my thoughts, and turned to face him. "Yes?"
"The rest of us already went up." He pointed to Maureen, Joanne, Mimi, Roger, and Benny, and himself. "Would you like to go up and say a few things about Collins now?" he asked, dabbing his eyes with a tissue.
I nodded, stood up, and walked up to his casket. One look at the picture resting on top of it made me start sobbing all over again. I reassured myself that everything would be okay and that I should start talking before people became confused.
I cleared my voice and began. "I wasn't as fortunate as the rest of my friends." I pointed to my friends in the front two pews. "They knew Collins far longer than I did, and they were very lucky. But in the few months that I did know him, I learned so much from him. He was a great role model, a great listener, a genius, but most of all a great friend. I truly loved him and I still do. He was passionate about what he did and cared so much for his friends and family. And as much as I wish we could have him back here on Earth, I know that he's in a better place, now. He's with Angel in heaven, probably looking down on us right now and laughing at how cheesy I sound saying all of this." I paused to laugh at my joke. I looked up towards the ceiling, which was painted with clouds and angels. Heaven, I thought as I smiled up towards Collins.
I shook my head, refocusing on what I was doing. I dabbed my eyes with a Kleenex and continued. "Anyways, what I'm trying to say is that I know Collins will be missed by all of us. He was one of the most genuine people you will ever meet and it will definitely take some time to come to terms with the fact that he's gone. He was such a fatherly…figure…in…my..." I slowed my speaking and eventually stopped mid-sentence. You idiot! You had to say it, didn't you? Father—the one word that brings your whole world crashing down and spiraling out of control. "Excuse me," I said as I ran down the altar and out of the church. I heard Mark come running after me, screaming my name. Not once did I look back.
A/N- ooh, where did she go? R&R please! PM -rentislife0619- or -Roger Davis' Song of Glory- w/ questions or comments. Hope you liked it!