You might notice that this chapter is much like one in my other story, The Girl Next Door. It's modeled from that. And after today, I'll be gone the whole week. I'll update as soon as I can after that.
Journal NOT a Diary!
Max's Journal
July 24, 2010
We haven't found Cindy. We've come close, but she's too fast, and most of us are still too weak from the cellar...incident. But I'm not here to write about that. I'm here to write about probably one of the most emotional funerals I've ever been to. Make that one of the only funerals I've ever been too.
The girls wore simple spaghettistrap black silk dresses, while the boys wore regular black and white tuxedos. Analie's funeral was at a church, with a huge white cross above the baptistery. The coffin laid under the cross, closed-lid when we got there. Mary Lou broke down into tears immediately.
"Max, remember, it's not your fault," Fang whispered in my ear. I unclenched my fists I didn't even know were balled up. We sat on the first row, watching as the last preparations were made and friends, from babies to elderly, filled the pews. Most were women and kindergarten age kids, probably Mary Lou and Analie's friends.
Even some of the children were crying, asking if Analie was okay. Mary Lou just started crying harder and said, "Yes, she's home." The kids put on a smile and ran off, thinking it was Mary Lou's home. I even started to cry.
Fang clenched his jaw as the coffin was opened, and parents and kids started coming up to take one last look at the girl. Their eyes were red, tear tracks down their cheeks, holding Kleenexes in their fists. I had to stand up and leave as I saw Mary Lou bend down and cry over her daughter's body.
I don't care what Fang says. I had a part in this.
Fang walked out after me. Not to follow me, just for his own sanity. He walked past me and sat at a table, taking deep breaths.
"I will officially be known as the guy who walked out on his sister's funeral," he muttered.
"You weren't the only one who walked out," I said. "And you'll be known as the guy who cared enough about his little sister he couldn't stand to see her body in a coffin. Even after a few months." It was a long shot, but he calmed down a bit.
He bit his cheek. "Mom's torn to shreads. I should have killed Cindy when I found her before."
"No, you shouldn't have. The door may not have opened if she was dead. Then we would have all died."
"Maybe." He stood up and made his way down the stairs. I made no move to follow him. I sat down in the chair and leaned back, using a napkin to wipe away a few tears. Me, Maximum Ride, crying. I couldn't believe it either. After about ten minutes, I stood up and walked back in the auditorium, taking a seat in the back beside a young woman trying to keep tears from her eyes.
Amazing Grace was sung, and the preacher of the church preached about Analie, and what an amazing girl she was. Mary Lou was sitting on the front row, I could even hear her cries. Fang came in and sat beside Mary Lou. She was crying in his shoulder.
Pretty much everyone in the auditorium was crying. I was trying so hard not to cry I could hardly pay attention to the funeral. I was relieved when it was over, and after everyone came up and hugged the family, we went home, hoping to get some peace. It was a quiet ride home, just the sound of the car gliding along the road.
Needless to say, I hope that never happens agian.
Or will it?
-Maximum