-Chapter 63-Funeral-

-Maribel pov-

It's been a couple of days since Franks death. I've worked with Alex to get everything together for today. It's weird that today has actually come. I never really thought it would. Maybe deep down I did though.

I knew he stopped caring what would happen in the end. I knew he tried hiding his cigars when I came around. He didn't want me to worry about everything. Now he's gone and I'm still here. I sigh and look at myself.

I've been hiding out in the bathroom all morning. I'm supposed to speak today but I can't. I can't bring myself to go out and do it. I wanna be able to be strong but I can't. It's finally hitting that I've lost my best friend.

I turn to the bathroom door and open it. I peek out and see no one in the bedroom. I walk out and toward the bed. I freeze as the door closes.

"Knew you had to come out eventually" I turn to see Judy beside the door "Come out girls"

I look at the closet and see my other girlfriends walk out. I look at the bathroom and then them. I take off for it but they stop me. Shelby pulls me into her and wraps around me tight.

"It's ok Mari" I struggle in her arms as she tries to comfort me "You'll be ok beautiful"

"I don't wanna go!" I feel myself starting to fully break "I don't wanna go!"

Alex slowly walks up and cups my face "I know" She gives a sad smile and I see the tears fall down her face "I'm scared of going and seeing him too"

"I can't do this" The tears finally break free and I go limp in Shelby's arms "I can't face him"

"It's not your fault Mari" I look over at Judy "It was nothing you could stop"

"I had money!" I look at everyone "I-I could've given it to him and helped with anything! I could've paid for everything and paid for the cure!"

"Maribel there was nothing you could've done to save him!" I look straight at Alex now "There was nothing we could do...He smoked his final days and lived how he wanted to! He went in for treatment and lived his life! He never spent a second wasting it! He never once blamed you!"

"I'm scared" Shelbys grasp lightens up "I'm scared I won't do him right"

"You got the speech sweetie" I look up at Shelby "We believe in you"

"Ok" I take a breath and look at let out a sigh "I'll do it"

-Time skip-

There's more people here than I thought would be here. I see the preacher walk up and everyone stops talking. They all look forward and stay silent as the preacher looks out. He looks at me and I nod.

"Frank was a good man" The preacher smiles "I honestly can say I got to know him very well...He was a great man who fought tooth and nail for what he had! I really wish was able to still be with us today...Anyways I will follow his wishes and that includes these fine young kids singing and his best friend sending him off"

The preacher steps away and the Blazers walk up. I smile as they get in formation and sing the song they had short time to prepare for.

-Angela-Rachel-Group-

I need a sign

To let me know you're here

All of these lines are being crossed

Over the atmosphere

I need to know

That things are gonna look up

'Cause I feel us drowning

In a sea spilled from a cup

When there is no place safe

And no safe place to put my head

When you can feel the world shake

From the words that are said

And I-I-I-I'm

Calling all angels

And I-I-I-I'm

Calling all you angels

And I won't give up

If you don't give up

I won't give up

If you don't give up

I won't give up

If you don't give up

I won't give up

If you don't give up

I need a sign

To let me know you're here

'Cause my TV set

Just keeps it all from being clear

I want a reason

For the way things have to be

I need a hand

To help build up some kind of hope

Inside of me

And I-I-I-I'm

Calling all angels

And I-I-I-I'm

Calling all you angels

When children have to play inside

So they don't disappear

While private eyes solve marriage lies

'Cause we don't talk for years

And football teams are kissing queens

And losing sight of having dreams

In a world where what we want

Is only what we want until it's ours

And I-I-I-I'm

Calling all angels

And I-I-I-I'm

Calling all you angels

And I-I-I-I'm

Calling all angels

And I-I-I-I'm

Calling all you angels

Calling all you angels

I won't give up

If you don't give up

Calling all you angels

I won't give up

If you don't give up

Calling all you angels

I won't give up

If you don't give up

"I only got to meet Frank once" I look at Shelby confused as Rachel "But I immediately felt safe and at home that one time...he felt like family.. I asked by his niece to get the group to sing one more and to get Blaine to sing Frank's favorite song"

-Quinn-Santana-Group-

Look at the stars

Look how they shine for you

And everything you do

Yeah, they were all yellow

I came along

I wrote a song for you

And all the things you do

And it was called "Yellow"

So then I took my turn

Oh what a thing to have done

And it was all yellow

Your skin

Oh yeah your skin and bones

Turn into something beautiful

Do you know

You know I love you so

You know I love you so

I swam across

I jumped across for you

Oh what a thing to do

'Cause you were all yellow

I drew a line

I drew a line for you

Oh what a thing to do

And it was all yellow

Your skin

Oh yeah your skin and bones

Turn into something beautiful

Do you know

For you I'd bleed myself dry

For you I'd bleed myself dry

It's true

Look how they shine for you

Look how they shine for you

Look how they shine for

Look how they shine for you

Look how they shine for you

Look how they shine

Look at the stars

Look how they shine for you

And all the things that you do

The Blazers step away some minus Blaine. He looks at the group and nods. They slowly starts to get in tune before getting the song going.

-Blaine singing-

And now, the end is near

And so I face the final curtain

My friend, I'll say it clear

I'll state my case, of which I'm certain

I've lived a life that's full

I traveled each and every highway

And more, much more than this, I did it my way

Regrets, I've had a few

But then again, too few to mention

I did what I had to do

And saw it through without exemption

I planned each charted course

Each careful step along the byway

And more, much more than this, I did it my way

Yes, there were times, I'm sure you knew

When I bit off more than I could chew

But through it all, when there was doubt

I ate it up and spit it out

I faced it all and I stood tall and did it my way

I've loved, I've laughed and cried

I've had my fill, my share of losing

And now, as tears subside

I find it all so amusing

To think I did all that

And may I say, not in a shy way

Oh, no, oh, no, not me, I did it my way

For what is a man, what has he got?

If not himself, then he has naught

To say the things he truly feels

And not the words of one who kneels

The record shows

I took the blows

And did it my way

Yes, it was my way

The Blazers full step away and they all sit down. I take a deep breath and walk up. I look out at everyone and feel the nerves. I look at Alex and feel it leave.

I look at all of the club and see their support. I look back out and take a deep breath again. I can do this.

"Frank was a great friend of mine" I chuckle thinking back to the memories "He'd always be there to pick up anyone who needed it...his first employee was a homeless man he found outside! He never judged a soul...he made everyone feel welcome poor or rich...he lived a great life because he made it a great one! He fought for everything he had even if it wasn't a lot...today I say goodbye to someone that was not only a friend and brother at times...but a man that was like a dad all...goodbye Franky"

I turn to the casket and look at the man that once stood as a best man. I place a hand on his and walk away. After that they carry him out and we drive to the graveyard.

I watch him be lowered down and let some tears fall. It's a quiet day at home full of cuddling and love. It's weird how death can do that. When everyone you love is alive you don't think about time until someone is gone.

Time passes and your forget till it happens again. I lay my head down on Judys shoulder and look at the girls. They will always have each other's back I know it.

I hope I get to be half the person Frank was. Because then I'll know I've been a good person.

I'll miss you Frank.

Lose comes at all times in our lives. Sometimes it's someone we know or a celebrity. It teaches us things come and go all the time. It teaches us to live life in the moment because you never know when your moment will be over.

In a year where I'm sure people have lost a lot of loved ones I hope you honor their memories. I hope you can find peace and a will to keep going. I hope you fight everyday to be the best you can.

19 stories and about 4-5 years on this app have taught me time flys. I love every single one of you that read this story and my others. I hope you have been doing amazing during 2020 and I hope you keep doing amazing.

You are amazing and you are worth it. This year has been a struggle but don't ever let anything hold you down. You are the best you and I love that you.

Thank you and with love,

Eli (626edge)