I Miss You

by MythReader08

Fang is a heart-broken mess. That's the bottom line. He's made a huge mistake and now he doesn't know what to do. He tried forgetting about it, but when he does, bad thinks just keep popping up. He already lost his mother, will he have to face life without another person that is so dear to him or will he try until his last breathe to get them back before he let's them go. AH

11. Dance With my Father

Hello again readers! Before you berate me and send death threats, let me just tell you that my laptop contracted a virus and it was getting fixed. During that process the chapter that was supposed to be uploaded was eradicated from my files.

I apologize for any misstated facts, I've never attended a funeral, so I don't know what exactly happens. I'm just going by what I think a funeral is.

The setting is a week from when Max learned of the Ride's situation

I do not own any MR characters. That belongs to James Patterson. Nor do I own any of the songs that are used.

So… anyways here is chapter 11 of "I Miss You"

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"Dance With my Father"

Fang's POV

Orchids.

The flower that conveys everlasting love to the dead. The same flowers that infiltrated my nose when I saw my mother's body put into eternal rest, once again came into my senses as I listened to the pastor. I stared at the orchids as Pastor James blessed the casket of my father.

"May our prayers be lifted beyond the skies and towards the Lord." I looked at the sky as if I was looking at God himself.

'Why did he leave this world? Why did he leave me, with no one else?' I daydreamed as Pastor James went along with the service. My head snapped up as my dad's favorite passage in the Bible escaped Pastor James's lips

"The Lord is compassionate and gracious; slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve, or repay us according to our iniquities."

The pastor paused for a moment. Probably to let each word sink in to the small crowd of close to thirty people.

"For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. as for man, his days are like grass."

Pastor paused again, but this time to clear his throat. He wiped a tear from his eyes. My dad and he were close friends when they were younger. Dad still has some pictures of them together when they were about ten.

"He flourishes like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone. And its place remembers it not more, but from everlasting to everlasting. The Lord's love is with those who fear him."

There was a moment of silence before Pastor ended the service. He stepped down and Mr. Griffiths took his place.

"Thank you everyone, for coming. I haven't known Jeb Ride as a close friend, but he was part of this community, which means he is part of our family. He was a great person, always helping out people. He was a persistent worker, so I've been told. But most of all, he was an excellent father" He said as he looked at me. "Jeb always had time for his son. Whatever the day was, if Fang needed him, Jeb would always make time for Fang. Thank you"

There was an array of claps as Mr. Griffiths made his way down the steps and onto the grass.

I felt a hand on my shoulder. I looked behind me and saw Iggy there. There was a sad smile on his face as he motioned me to go up there and say something to the crowd. I had a whole list of things I wanted to say, but I also didn't want to say. It was just too personal for me to share with other people. I nodded to him hesitantly and got to the podium.

I didn't dare look up in any of the faces in the crowd. I just didn't have the strength to do so. I couldn't, so I just looked down at the wooden podium, twirling my thumbs around. Clearing my throat, I finally built up enough courage to say something.

"Thank you for coming everyone. It means a lot to me. It just means that you came here to witness my father's final burial in this world. So thank you." I paused a little and waited for my breath to catch up with what I just said. Nothing else came to my mind so I decided to tell them some things from my list. The list was folded and crumbled since it was in my jacket pocket for the past few hours.

The first bullet read: Fondest Memory

"My fondest memory of my father was when I was about eight years old. It was raining a lot and a thunder storm was coming our way. I didn't know what thunder was at the time, and like every child, was curious as to what it was." I smirked at my ignorance.

"So I dragged my dad outside on our porch and sat on the steps, our bare feet getting wet with the pounding rain. I saw a light in the sky and was fascinated. It was probably one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen as an eight year old." I looked up and saw almost every face looking at me, all of them with smiles plastered on their faces.

"But, once I heard the booming sound of thunder, I leaped up and ran into the house. My dad laughing the whole while as he looked at my face." The whole event reeled back in my head as I spoke the words

Flashback

"Don't worry Fang. It won't hurt you." My dad said, kneeling down next to my bed.

"No! It's going to eat me!" I yelled from underneath the bed. I heard my dad chuckle.

"No it won't Nick"

"It's not Nick anymore!" I yelled at my father for not remembering the name the girl gave me at the park.

"But if you want to be called Fang, then you have to get out of there Nick. Fang is a much stronger name for someone, but if you're scared, how can you be called something strong" My father said as he took a seat on the floor.

My eight year old pride was hurt, so I got out and went to my father.

"See I'm brave. So call me Fang" I said proudly to my father, but right then I heard the most terrifying noise I have heard in my life. My dad picked me up before I could run away again. He placed me on his lap and said

"Okay Fang, if you're so strong then you'll promise to never leave again." I was reluctant to agree.

"I promise" I said as I curled on his lap.

"I promise to never leave you either Fang" He said as he closed his eyes and put an arm around me.

End Flashback

I smiled as I remembered the whole ordeal.

"Thank you" I said as I stepped off the podium. As I looked up I saw a figure. A figure that was so familiar. Her hair moved with the wind as she ran away. Her body was dressed in a stunning black dress. The figure moved fast, but I knew who it was the moment my eyes met the back of her head.

Max

I ran towards her direction, I looked around frantically, but I couldn't find her.

Was it just my imagination? Did my mind just make me want to see her?

Whatever. Maybe it was just my mind

I heard claps here and there as Pastor said more things about my father when they were younger. I went straight to Iggy's family and spent the rest of the evening with them. The entire time Iggy kept giving me weird looks but I shrugged it off since he was Iggy.

After a while everyone left and we were the last ones there. I kneeled down at my dad's tombstone.

'Here lies the best father anyone could ever ask for,

May his soul be lifted beyond the clouds

And into the loving arms of our Father,

Jeb Ride

1958-2012'

I looked to my left and saw a familiar tombstone.

R.I.P

For Anne Ride,

A sweet mother, a loving wife,

and a strong spirit.

May her soul be lifted beyond the clouds

And into the arms of God

"Bye mom, dad. I'll visit whenever I can, hopefully every day. Farewell" I said as I traced their names with my thumb.

Standing up, I saw Iggy motioning me to get in the car. I got in the car and Iggy headed the direction to my house. Once we got there, Iggy made sure I wanted to stay here and not at his house. I assured him I'd be okay and watched as he sped off to his own home. It was still early and I couldn't sleep, so I did what I would usually do.

I grabbed my encased guitar and made my way towards the park. There was an old couple there, but it looked as though they were ready to leave when I got there. I sat down on the old swing set and took my guitar out of its case.

I hadn't bothered to change at home so I was still in my tux. I took off my blazer and lied it down on my case. I closed my eyes as my fingers found the strings on the guitar neck. My right hand connected to the strings as I strummed slowly. No beat in my mind, only simple strumming.

I smiled as I reminisced memories of my parents. My lips hummed to a song. The words start escaping my mouth as my memories became more personal, more loving.

Back when I was a child
Before life removed all the innocence
My father would lift me high
And dance with my mother and me
And then
Spin me around 'till I fell asleep
Then up the stairs he would carry me
And I knew for sure
I was lovedIf I could get another chance
Another walk
Another dance with him
I'd play a song that would never ever end
How I'd love love love
To dance with my father againWhen I and my mother
Would disagree
To get my way I would run
From her to him
He'd make me laugh just to comfort me
yeah yeah
Then finally make me do
Just what my mama said
Later that night when I was asleep
He left a dollar under my sheet
Never dreamed that he
Would be gone from meIf I could steal one final glance
When finalstep
One final dance with him
I'd play a song that would never ever end
Cause I'd love love love to
Dance with my father againSometimes I'd listen outside her door
And I'd hear how mama would cry for him
I'd pray for her even more than me
I'd pray for her even more than meI know I'm praying for much to much
But could you send her
The only man she loved
I know you don't do it usually
But Dear Lord
She's dying to dance with my father againEvery night I fall asleep
And this is all I ever dream

My strumming continued as I hummed along to the sound. My mind wandered away from this world for a while and entered dreamland. I stayed there, just listening to the strumming of my guitar.

"That was beautiful"

I looked up and I saw the one thing that could've comfort me. The one being on this earth that could make me feel as though I was in a warm loving embrace. Those big, beautiful brown eyes stared at me with such warmth and comfort. Before I knew it, my arms were wrapped around her and her arms around my waist.

"I miss you Max"

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So guys, there was the first altercation between Max and Fang. I personally like this chapter very much. So for all you people that have been dying for Max and Fang to finally meet with each other again, there you go.

Thank you for bearing with me and my late updates. I will try with all my effort to upload more frequently. But I will not make any promises.

Songs:

"Dance With my Father Again" By: Luther Vandross

Bible Passage:

Psalm 103: 8-17

Quote-a-Day:

"The clock is running. Make the most of today. Time waits for no man. Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That's why it is called the present."

Alice Morse Earle

I found this quote as something to say "Live in the Moment". Make the best of your life, because you only have one chance to live it.

So thank you all for reading chapter 11.

U and A