Chapter 2

I pulled into the driveway of my mom and dad's. Everything looked exactly the same, at least on the outside. I got out of my Jeep and Juice came up beside me, with a weird look on his face. "What?"

He chuckled. "Nothing. I'm just amazed that you don't need a ladder to get into your own car. It's lifted so high."

"Obviously I don't. I get in and out just fine. I have it this high just so I can get comments of disbelief like that."

"Really?"

"No!" I yelled. "Now come on, let's start taking stuff in. You can open the trailer and grab the boxes. I'll unlock the house." I still had a house key. I had thought it was unnecessary since I would be in Nashville, but mom had insisted.

"In case you ever need to come home," she had said. It would come in handy, since I really didn't feel like breaking in. The inside smelled like cigarettes and vanilla. Mom always had candles burning all throughout the house.

"Where do you want me to take these?" Juice had three boxes.

"Oh um, we'll take them up to my old room. I'm guessing it hasn't been touched since I left." I was right. All the furniture that I'd left behind was still in the exact same spot. After all the boxes were out of the trailer I started to unpack. If I didn't start now it would never get done. "Juice, you don't have to stay. I can get all this by myself. Plus, I'm sure you've got something much more exciting to go do." I hope he didn't think I wanted to get rid of him. In reality, I wanted nothing more than for him to stay and help. I definitely wanted to get to know him better. On the other hand, I didn't want him to feel like he had to stay because Jax ordered him to.

"No, it's ok. I don't mind helping you. If I wasn't here I'd probably just be at home playing video games by myself." He laughed, "I just realized how lame that sounded. I promise I'm a badass."

I smirked at him, "It's not lame. A little lonely sounding. You have your own place?"

"Yeah, a little house not far from Jax's. It is kinda lonely though, just doesn't quite feel like home still. The only thing I've done is put some furniture in it. I was gonna ask Gemma to help me but I was scared of what all she'd do."

I laughed at that. "I don't blame you. My mom can get a little too into what she does." I paused, wondering if it was a good idea to say what I was about to. "Ya know… I could help you decorate. I mean if you want. You just need to tell me what you like, what interests you."

He had a look, like he was thinking it over. "That doesn't sound too bad. Just uh," he looked up at me as he opened the next box, "Please don't put five hundred candles all over the place." I merely shrugged. I couldn't help it that I had my mother's love for the things. That aside, I found myself smiling as me and Juice unpacked my room. I was glad Jax had sent him with me.

I'd never been to a funeral before. I hadn't been allowed to go with my parents when Sons had died, and my mom had absolutely no desire in going to my Grandma Rose's. I had never expected the first one I went to would be Donna's. She was so young, had so much ahead of her.

When we got there, I went straight to Opie, giving him the biggest hug. Unlike everyone else though, I didn't tell him I was "sorry for his loss", or "it'll get better". Those sentiments were bullshit to him. Of course people were sorry. And yeah, it would get better. That didn't make this any easier.

"I missed you, kid."

"I missed you too, Brother Bear." I felt him squeeze me tighter at the old nickname. It fit him well. He'd always been protective of me, ready to beat up anyone who dared to hurt me, just like Jax. But he was also a giant teddy bear, caving to my every will as a small child.

I didn't really listen to what the preacher said during the service. Truthfully, I didn't really care what he had to say. No amount of scripture or poetry would justify what happened. Two children had lost their mother. My big brother had lost the love of his life.

At some point I noticed Tara get up. I inhaled sharply when I noticed Jax, looking like he'd spent the night sleeping in a ditch. Something tells me that he might have. Tara gave him his kutte and they shared a passionate kiss. I glanced over at my mom and saw her burning Tara with her eyes. Jax then walked over to the coffin. All focus was on him as he placed another flower on top of the others. He had a hard look directed towards my dad.

Something in SAMCRO was changing, I could feel it. I could also tell that whatever it was, it was going to be bad.