Hi! So I warned you beforehand that this chapter was short, right? I'm sorry :/ the next chapters will be much longer, I promise! I'm starting to get reviews in and they're making me so so happy! Thanks so much! Anyway, enjoy! :)
Chapter 7
The funerals were set for Thursday, February 28th. It was already Wednesday and Ben had done nothing to prepare for them. He still needed to go and buy a black shirt to wear. He had looked in his closet the day before and realized that he didn't have anything to wear.
It had been two days since he had found his mom's letter. Since then, he hadn't spoken one word to his father. He had tried to avoid him as much as possible. The only time they were remotely close to each other was when they ate dinner. His dad went to work before Ben woke up and he didn't get home until 4:00. Even when they ate together, they ate in complete silence.
He had honored his mom's last wish and had not said anything to his dad. It had been especially hard and he knew his dad was wondering what was up because they hadn't talked hardly at all the past two days. He knew he would have to face his father sometime, but he couldn't stomach doing it just yet.
While Ben was watching television, a commercial came on for Target. All of their button up shirts were ten dollars. Ben took that as a sign and reached for his keys. He rode out to Target and found a nice black, button-up shirt. When he got home it was already 3:45. His dad would be home soon and so he decided to head to his room.
He got his clothes that he was going to wear to the funerals tomorrow and laid them out on his char. He had to get up early and he tried to do everything he could to help himself out so he wouldn't be rushed in the morning.
He soon heard his dad pull up in the driveway. He didn't plan on being mad at his father forever, but he couldn't see how he could ever look at his dad the same way again.
A couple of hours later, he heard his dad yell that supper was ready. He walked into the dining room and his father was already sitting down eating. He made his plate and they ate their dinner in silence. After dinner, he went back to his room where the spent the rest of the night.
Ben's alarm clock woke him up the next morning at 8:00. He took a quick shower and went into the dining room to eat a quick breakfast. His dad was sitting at the table, already dressed, reading the newspaper. He planned to leave earlier than Ben to be there in case people showed up early.
Ben sat at the table with a bowl of cereal, figuring they would eat in silence, but his dad put down the paper and asked,
"Ben, is something wrong?" He simply shook his head and his father stared at him, wondering if he was going to say anything. When he didn't, he said,
"I know something's wrong; you've been completely ignoring me the last two days."
"You don't miss much, do you?" His dad raised his eyebrow,
"What is it, son? You can tell me anything. I know you're upset about your mom and Jeff, but don't pull away from me. You can't go through this on your own." Ben took a deep breath,
"I'm fine, Dad." His dad looked at him, knowing there was much more than what Ben was telling him. Before he had a chance to question him further, Ben got up, deciding he wasn't hungry. He put his bowl in the sink and walked down the hallway and into his room.
At 8:45, he heard his dad's car pull out of the driveway. It took around 45 minutes to get to Old Grove Church and Ben planned to leave at around 9:30 to get there at 10:15- the burial started at 10:30. The pastor planned to say a few words before they buried his mom. He figured it would last for about an hour and that would give him about thirty minutes before Jeff's funeral started.
They planned to have a memorial service before they buried him. His mom and dad were going to say a few words, along with some of Jeff's family members. They, they would head across the street where they would bury him.
He went to his room and put on his clothes. He put on a pair of black corduroy pants and a white t-shirt before putting on his black button up shirt. He looked at himself in the mirror. Despite the fact that it was February, his skin was tan and his eyes looked bluer than normal. He turned away and went into the bathroom and brushed his teeth. By the time he finished, it was 9:15. With nothing else to do, he figured he would head to the church. He slipped on his black shoes and headed towards the door.
Yes I know... very short. But, the good thing is is that i'm typing up the next chapter right now! And it'll probably be up tonight! Or this morning... it's 2:00 in the morning and i'm sitting here typing listening to "Ignorance" by Paramore... amazing, amazing band by the way. If you haven't heard of them, check 'em out! Anyway, the next chapter will be up tonight/ this morning! See you then! :)
