Now, warning, there's some talk of suicidal thoughts in here but it's mostly just the overreaction of someone who's not used to being depressed and sad and has a very active imagination. It's nothin' serious and more meant to be a bit funny (although it's nothin' to be snickered at, believe me, I know, don't go gettin' in a hissy fit sayin' I don't know nothin' 'bout how people who do think of suicide feel. Just don't even try. I will crush you.)

The Funeral

Despite the amount of money the family had, the service was fairly plain and simple. There were a lot of people though. Family, friends, coworkers. It seemed that Delilah Norvel had touched a lot of people.

Larry and Jodi were at the front of the group next to Larry's father as the preacher started speaking.

Jodi stood, trying focus her attention on the man speaking. She couldn't help but feel very claustrophobic around so many people, because living in Perfection gave her little chance to be in a crowd. Plus, the few times there were a lot of people in the town it had left some negative memories.

Larry and Darwin were standing on either side of her, silently staring at the Delilah's photograph above the coffin. Neither of them were really paying attention to the man speaking, too wrapped up in their own memories.

Even the weather seemed to be suffering the loss, the sky cloudy and the wind blowing mournfully.

Jodi found her eyes drifting towards the graying sky, her thoughts flitting away from the moment. She remembered how hard she had taken her Uncle Walter's death. She had only been about 16 when it happened, and he had been almost more of a grandfather to her. She had been so distressed she had to stay home from school for nearly a week, but she had refused to go to the funeral, saying it was a waste because there was no body. She had never forgiven herself.

Larry shifted next to her, his gaze falling to the ground. He looked so depressed it was scary. Larry wasn't one to be depressed, and he knew it too. It scared him to feel so miserable; he couldn't remember feeling anything like it his whole life. Was this how people who became suicidal felt? Was *he* suicidal? Or maybe he was just thinking about suicide because he was overreacting. He didn't really want to die, not at all. Or was that how all people felt? Maybe he would just end up randomly walking off a cliff or something. Or maybe lock himself away in his trailer and refuse to come out and then metal eating bugs would appear and eat his trailer and while they were eating the walls the ceiling would collapse and crush him and he would suffocate before they finished eating and then Burt and Tyler would come at the last minute with an acid to kill them while they were eating but they had to spray him too and after that all that would be left were his bones.

Okay, now he was really overreacting. Larry shook his head and buried it in his hands, trying to settle his too descriptive imagination.

Jodi hated the way this whole thing was making her relive her feelings. Hated that it was trying to provoke the tears she had finally been able to stop all those years ago. Hated that she had gone out to find Larry. Hated that she cared more about how Larry was taking this than her own feelings.

Man, she was being selfish. One more thing to hate.

Several large raindrops landed near them, warning them of a potential downpour. The drops jolted them from their thoughts and they realized the service had just ended. A few stayed to say quick, final goodbyes before leaving to get out of the rain. Before long they were the only three left. Larry and his father moved forward to stand under the tarp protecting their lost loved one from the rain.

Jodi took single step forward, enough to be out of the rain but far enough away to give the mourners space.

Larry rushed through his silent goodbye, not able to stand so close to the one thing that made his mother's death seem more permanent. He turned away quickly and walked over to Jodi, letting his father say goodbye alone. Darwin seemed less stricken than Larry did, although he knew that deep down his father was crying as much as he was. His tears just weren't showing. But Larry couldn't help the ones escaping from his eyes and streaking down his cheeks. He just couldn't believe his mother, his best friend, was gone.

Jodi grabbed her friend into a hug. She knew the pain he was feeling- to some extent- and she couldn't bear the thought of him feeling that way anymore. Not happy, goofy, excitable Larry.

Larry suddenly felt like a dam had exploded inside of him. He clung to his friend and just let go, sobbing into her shoulder. Jodi just hugged him, supporting the broken-hearted man. She didn't know what to say, but figured silence was probably best for Larry, anyway.

They stood there for some time, how long exactly was a mystery, until Larry finally ran out of tears and pulled back, wiping his face with his sleeve again.

"Thanks."

Jodi smiled softly. "That's what friends are here for," she said, taking his hand again like she had in the trailer.

Larry smiled back and hugged her again tightly. "I know. And I know this must be hard for you what with your Uncle and all..." he paused. "I'm just glad you're here," he finished quietly.

"I'm glad I'm here for you," she smiled again.

"I know," Larry pulled away again, sighed, and then looked around in slight surprise. "Guess Dad got tired of waitin' for us and headed for the car," he said with a small laugh.

"Wanna see if we can catch up to him?" Jodi offered, a little amusement in her voice.

Larry grinned and took off running. "Race ya!"

Jodi shook her head slightly, but her smile brightened. It looked like he was healing. She jogged after Larry with no intention of beating him.

He beat her by about seven feet and leaned against the car with a breathy laugh. "You're so slow, Jodster."

Jodi rolled her eyes. "If you say so, Larry," she teased.

Larry opened the back door to the car and slid over to the driver side to let Jodi in. "Sorry we took so long, Dad."

Darwin just smiled. "No need son. Doin' what you did couldn't have made your mother happier."

"What do you mean?" Larry asked, trying to figure why his mother would be happy about him sobbing his heart out.

His father just smiled again with a twinkle in his eye and started the car. Jodi looked curiously at the older man, and spent the rest of the ride trying to decode the meaning behind his words.

The house was the same as the one in the picture hanging in Larry's trailer. A white two-story Birmingham, with light blue trimming and tall windows. And the inside was filled with books, movies, souvenirs, and countless interesting knick-knacks.

Jodi looked around the warmly lit house, kind of surprised. This wasn't exactly what she had expected to find when she had been told Larry's family was rich. But, then again, this was Wisconsin and people here didn't seem to be too flashy.

Larry took in her surprise and smiled. "Yeah...we're rich but we prefer living pretty simple."

"Yep," Darwin nodded. "But we also like to travel. Go ahead, take a look around, and if you find somethin' you really like, take it. Lord knows we've so many there's probably doubles. Larry an I will go get supper ready."

Jodi looked around at the many little trinkets, but didn't find anything she could bring herself to take.

Meanwhile, Larry and his dad got started on the evening meal in the kitchen. For awhile it was quiet between them, until...

"She's cute."

"Dad!" Larry nearly dropped the plates he was carrying.

"What? I'm just agreeing with you is all."

"I never said anything!"

"Ah, but you were thinkin' it!" Darwin grinned.

Larry's mouth opened and closed like a fish, not sure what the heck had brought this up and how to respond to it.

Jodi's attention was grabbed by a picture surrounded by state snow globes. She couldn't help laughing at the family photo with a young Larry, maybe seven or eight years old.

Larry came hurrying out of the kitchen to investigate, mostly just to get away from his embarrassing father.

"Hey," he smiled, hoping to God his face wasn't bright red. "Find somethin' you like?"

Jodi turned around, shaking her head and trying to stop her giggles. "Oh, no...it was nothing," she said.

Larry cocked his head curiously and looked past her at the photo. He grinned. "Oh yeah, that."

She took a deep breath, collecting herself. "You were cute," she said sweetly.

Larry felt himself heat up again, his dad's words echoing in his head. "Y-yeah."

Jodi chuckled slightly. "Sorry," she said, seeing his blush and figuring it was because she laughed.

"What? No, it...it's fine," Larry waved the apology away. "So...you wanna see our movie collection?"

"Something tells me," she said teasingly, "You wouldn't take no for an answer."

Larry smiled. It was true, but mostly just another tactic to get away from this topic of cuteness. He led her to another room with a small flat screen TV and a large bookshelf of videos.

"Choose whatever you like," he offered. "And there's of a good selection of them that aren't sci-fi."

Jodi pulled out a movie after a few moments of consideration. "I remember seeing this when it came out," she said, holding out Toy Story.

Larry grinned. "That was my favorite as a kid."

He took it and placed it in the VCR and pressed play. His dad came in then with their food and set it on the short, round table in the middle of the room.

"Have fun kids," he said slyly before walking out. Larry was thankful the lights were off; his face had gotten even redder than he thought was possible.

Jodi looked at the man curiously as he left the room. She still couldn't quite figure out his double-meanings.

"Oh, look, it's starting!" Larry said, picking up his plate and eating quickly. He was going to kill his father for this, he swore it.

Jodi picked up her own plate, eating not as fast and they settled down to watch the movie. It was relaxing, after all the excitement. Jodi just hoped that when they got back home, the only excitement would be El Blanco.

Welp, there it is. Our little Jodi/Larry Hurt/Comfort fic. And at the end, they still don't fully realize how much they really like each other. I love Darwin though. He's awesomeXD Anywho, REVIEW! Don't just read an leave, or I shall hunt you down and turn your hands into pens. 3:) don't think I won't.