The day of the funeral rolled around and brought a new sense of grief for the Belchers. Knowing that, after that day they would never again see Tina's physical form. She would be buried in a small cemetery about twenty minutes away. It was cheaper than the local cemetery but still close enough to where they could visit on a regular basis. Though the deciding factor ended up being that it was next to a horse farm. The plot they had selected for Tina was on a sunny hill in view of the farm. There were empty plots on either side that Big Bob had generously paid for so Bob and Linda would be able to be buried next to their daughter.
Bob woke the morning of Tina's funeral with a feeling of dread he had not felt since his mother's funeral. Only it was a hundred times worse. Linda was passed out beside him. At least she had made it to the bed this time. He had hidden the liquor bottles after she passed out to ensure she didn't show up to Tina's service. He forced himself out of bed and fumbled his way to the kitchen. He poured himself some bran flakes and put on a pot of coffee. His mind flashed back to the way things were just two weeks ago. Linda was making breakfast. Tina was talking about the ThunderGirls campout that was coming up in a week now. Gene was driving him crazy with his keyboard and Louise was talking about some prank she planned to pull on Frond on Halloween. It involved red balloons and Mickey's cousin, a rodeo clown who got kicked in the face by a horse and had some unique scars. Gene's song was about different types of bowel movements, and apparently the campout would include a mixer with the Nature Boys. The repeated plans and lyrics continued on through the weekend and into the week. Until "that morning." Tina never woke up in the hospital, but Bob had checked on her at one point before she went critical. He had heard what he suspected were her last words. "I hope I'm well by the camping trip." A lump formed in his throat.
"Morning" Gene greeted.
"Morning" Bob replied.
"Where's mom?" Gene asked.
"Still asleep." Bob replied.
"Is she still?" Gene questioned.
"Yeah" Bob sighed.
The Belchers fumbled through the day of the funeral. Bob went over to Mort's to finalize a few things, while Linda remained passed out, and Gene and Louise locked themselves in Louise's room. Working on some super-secret project. Gloria and Al arrived around noon. At least Gayle had her license back and was able to pick them up from the airport.
"Will you let that go already?!" Gloria demanded.
"I was in there for hours!" Gayle snapped.
"That was your own fault!" Gloria retorted.
"There weren't even any presents for me!" Gayle cried.
"We weren't expecting you!" Gloria hissed.
The family was supposed to arrive an hour before the service. Gayle had stormed out and Gloria had taken a gallon of bleach downstairs "So her other grand kids didn't get sick." Bob had managed to get Linda out of bed and into her dress. Gene and Louise dressed in their catering outfits. Both unusually quiet and for once Louise didn't complain about dressing up. Amazingly Linda's family got themselves together with a little less drama. Bob nervously checked his phone. He had called his father with the date and time of the service. He said he would be there but then he went silent. Bob had not heard a word from him sense. Bob sighed and shook his head. He couldn't say he was surprised. He slipped his phone back in his pocket and headed towards Mort's. An unfamiliar car came to a stop in front of Mort's and Big Bob slowly stepped out. Bob gasped when he saw his father's arm wrapped tightly in a bandage. He was so shocked by the bandage. That he did not notice the woman sitting in the driver's seat or the way his dad kissed her on the lips.
"I love you." Big Bob whispered.
"I love you too. I will park the car and then check into the hotel." Judith replied.
"Thank you" Big Bob replied.
"Dad! What happened?" Bob gasped.
"Pop-Pop" Gene gasped.
"Are you OK?" Louise questioned.
"I am fine. Well, I will be. I just had to have surgery on Monday." Big Bob explained.
"Surgery?" Bob questioned.
"When I was Louise's age. I fell out of the treehouse and broke my arm. I guess it never healed right. I reinjured it about twenty years ago. When I fell in my walk-in. That time they did surgery and placed some pins in my arm. Monday morning, I woke up with a severe, shooting pain in my arm. Judith was worried I was having a heart attack and insisted I go to the hospital. Long story short they ended up doing some X-Rays and one of the pins broke loose. They rushed me into surgery. I wanted to put it off, but an infection was already starting. They said if I waited until after the funeral, I would probably end up losing my arm." Big Bob explained.
"Dad I am so glad you are OK." Bob replied.
The service was packed. There were kids from school, Susmita, Henry, the Pesto boys, Rudy, Alex, Tammy, Jocelyn, and a few others. Tina's entire Thundergirl troop was in attendance. Mr. Frond, Ms. Jacobson, Ms. Schnur, Ms. Labonz, Ms. Twitchell, Principal Spoors. Mr. Fishodor, Nat, Mickey, Kurt, Tina's friend from the retirement home and the Admiral. Mike the mailman, Gretchen, of course Teddy and Kathleen. Of course, the parents of the kids in attendance. Jimmy Pesto was in the back. While his ex-wife sat with the boys. Rudy's parents were shockingly sitting together. On either side of their son.
"Today we gather to celebrate the life of Tina Ruth Belcher. Beloved daughter of Bob and Linda Belcher, beloved sister of Gene and Louise Belcher. Tina was born March 6th, 2009, three days after her birthdate. Though Bob and Linda were expecting a boy until delivery. They saw their girl as a welcome surprise. Though a shy child. Tina had a curious side and was always willing to go along with her siblings' schemes. When not in school or working in her family's restaurant. Tina could be found in her room writing. Tina was a lifelong equestrian. Who dreamed of owning her own horse. She was a fan of the horror genre, especially zombies. Tragically Tina passed away on October Fifth after being diagnosed with meningitis. Though her life was short. It was lived to the fullest and Tina was always surrounded by love. Tina was survived by parents Bob and Linda Belcher, Siblings Gene and Louise Belcher, Aunt Gayle Genero, Grandparents Gloria and Al Genero and Robert Belcher Senior. She is preceded into death by Grandma Lily Belcher. In lieu of flowers please make donations to either meningitis research, a horse rescue, or the Grady Griffin Foundation." Mort spoke reading Tina's obituary.
Bob was sweating bullets as he stepped up to the microphone. He could not believe he was delivering his daughter's eulogy. He made a vain attempt to wipe his tears away and took one last deep breath.
"Tina was our first child, and I was terrified to become a parent. Things were tense between my father and I and my mother died when I was fourteen. I remember the day Linda told me she was expecting. I remember being more terrified than I had in my entire life. Until today that is. Tina was the oldest and while we never expected her to help with her siblings. She was always willing to step up. She was born to be a mother and it kills me that she never got to experience it. She was the most creative and caring person I ever met. I didn't deserve to call her my daughter. She was a light I will never get back." Bob spoke.
"And now Gene and Louise Belcher have prepared a song." Mort announced.
Gene held his keyboard in a death grip. This was one of his first big performances. The big break he had always dreamt about. Unfortunately, it was also the worst possible circumstance. He thought he had cried all the tears there were to cry. Until he got to the front of the room.
Louise bit her lips. She was doing everything in her power not to completely breakdown. The last time she had publicly read one of her poems. One of her serious poems. Tina had been there for her. Tina always showed up for her. Gene gave her a thumbs up and she nodded in agreement. Gene began to play his song and Louise began to read.
"They say only the good die young.
If there is a God.
He takes the best and leaves the rest.
They give us reasons why.
Why only the best are selected to die.
The prettiest flowers are picked first.
Except they don't put flowers in a hearse.
I am not a smart child.
They say I am too wild.
There is one thing I know.
Tina should not have had to go." Louise recited.
After the funeral came the reception. Bob, he kept it simple. He didn't have the strength to do much more. He made spaghetti, which was Tina's favorite, and cupcakes with horse rings. He went against his better judgment and rented an espresso machine. Mort brought the horse and zombie decorations over. Tammy and Jocelyn left. As did the Pesto boys and most of the other kids. Susmita and Henry Habar remained. Zeke was noticeably absent, but Bob figured he had to work at his uncle's shop. The door opened and the woman who had dropped Big Bob off entered.
"Judith what are you doing here? Is everything OK with the restaurant?" Big Bob asked.
"Everything is fine. I just dozed off and missed dinner at the hotel. They were short staffed and closed the kitchen early." Judith explained.
"Well, this isn't how I wanted you to meet the family but come on in." Big Bob replied.
"Dad who's this?" Bob asked.
"Son this is Judith. She is uh my well my girlfriend. Judith this is my son Robert Junior." Big Bob introduced.
"Bad enough your son's lackadaisical cleaning skills killed our granddaughter. Then you have the gal to bring your girlfriend to her funeral?" Gloria spat.
"I didn't want to bring her, but I can't drive with my arm." Big Bob explained.
"And she was the only driver in town?" Gloria spat.
"My friend Pete was supposed to drive me, but he woke up with a stomach bug. Judith was the only person I could get to drive me last minute." Big Bob explained.
"You've never heard of a cab or uber?" Gloria demanded.
"I don't trust those." Big Bob sighed.
"I didn't even go to the service. I checked into the hotel. I only came here because I missed dinner, and this is the only restaurant I know in this town." Judith explained.
"So, you came to MY granddaughter's funeral to stuff your face and then you are going to the hotel for your little honeymoon? Dead kids get you hot?" Gloria demanded.
"We are only staying in the hotel because I can't drive at night, and we didn't want to put any extra stress on Bob Junior's family." Judith explained.
"Don't lie to me! I know a hussy when I see one!" Gloria yelled.
"I am not a hussy." Judith whispered.
"Please leave her alone. I made a mistake. I should have called somebody else. I should have asked Bob to recommend restaurants. I am sorry." Big Bob apologized.
"I don't need your phony apologies! You aren't anymore sorry for bringing the whore. Than your son is for KILLING! Tina!" Gloria yelled.
"I didn't kill Tina." Bob argued.
"They say meningitis is caused by dirty water and this place is filthy. Well, it was until I got here." Gloria rebutted.
"The restaurant has never been that dirty. It's bad this week because I haven't been down here in almost two weeks and that is not how meningitis is spread anyway. When they say it's caused by water. They mean it's caused by sharing water bottles or drinking after somebody who was sick. At least that's one cause. That's what they think happened." Bob explained.
"You hate your father! Don't defend him!" Gloria snapped.
"Can you all please just shut up?! My sister is dead! I am a child in grief! I don't need this!" Louise demanded.
"Your surviving daughter is an out-of-control brat!" Gloria shouted.
"She is not!" Bob yelled.
"I am sorry this is all my fault. I will go." Judith apologized.
"I am not wanted here either." Big Bob replied.
"Oh yeah! I see how it is ruin everything and then leave! A coward and a hussy! A match made in hell! Where you belong!" Gloria bellowed.
"That is enough! I want you out of here too!" Bob ordered.
"You can't make me leave! This is Linda's house too and she wants me to stay!" Gloria snapped.
"Yeah, Bobby lay off." Linda slurred taking a swig of wine straight from the bottle. Completely unaware of what had transpired.
"Guys please you are really upsetting Louise." Gene begged.
"Gene's right. Get out!" Bob demanded.
"I think we all just need to take a deep breath." Judith insisted.
"Shut-up, whore!" Gloria snapped raising her first to Judith.
"Heavens" Judith whimpered.
"Back off! She's a domestic abuse survivor!" Big Bob cried.
"She deserved it. If it's true." Gloria scoffed.
"GLORIA!" Bob screamed.
"Stay out of this burger boy! Hell, even if Tina didn't get sick from here. Because you won't accept that your restaurant is a failure! You are poor! You couldn't have afforded to save her! And you wouldn't want to! One less mouth and more food for you!" Gloria hissed.
"HEY! TAKE THAT BACK!" Big Bob demanded.
"I thought you were leaving!" Gloria snapped, grabbing a cup of espresso, and throwing it in Big Bob's direction. Big Bob ducked, causing the cup to spill all over Louise who unbeknownst to him was standing behind him.
"Will your other granddaughter is burned! Because of your cowardice!" Gloria snapped.
"LOUISE! Take the shirt off and get to the kitchen!" Susmita ordered.
Louise followed Susmita's orders. She removed the shirt she had put on after the funeral. Tina's beloved horse shirt. It was now covered in coffee and likely ruined. As was her poem. The poem she wrote for Tina. More links to Tina gone forever. She could feel her vision blurring and her heart racing. Her entire body trembled.
Susmita realized that the kitchen wasn't much good. Louise was too short to climb into the sink and the fight was still going on in the dining area. She escorted Louise out of the restaurant and upstairs. Wincing slightly at the sight of Tina's room. She helped Louise into the bathtub and instructed her to rinse the burns until the pain stopped, calmly informing her that it may take up to half an hour. The burns would hopefully be easy to treat. She would recommend creams for further treatment when things calmed down. For now, there was a more pressing issue. Louise was having a full-blown panic attack. Her best friend was dead, and she was just praying that she could get her baby sister through a panic attack.
"My poem. "My poem" Louise repeated over and over.
"Louise take a deep breath." Susmita begged.
"What's the point? My sister, my best friend, my hero is gone!" Louise cried.
"I miss her too Louise." Susmita whispered.
"It's never gonna get better. It's never gonna get better. It's never gonna get better." Louise wheezed.
Zeke struggled to focus on his homework. Ms. Jacobson had not assigned homework that day, in fact she had not assigned any homework all week. What Zeke was working on was the extra credit assignment she gave out at the start of every month. Normally Zeke wasn't much for extra credit but today he was desperate for any distraction. Any distraction from his grief. From his guilt. A siren wailed in the distance and Zeke found himself diving under his desk. They knew he had killed Tina and now they were coming for him. Then again, it's what he deserved. He walked outside and sat on the porch. Watching as a fire engine whizzed by followed by an ambulance. Zeke once was fascinated by emergency vehicles. He always imagined them going to a car crash. He wasn't proud of his childhood interest in car accidents, but he loved anything loud. It didn't help that Leslie's dad ran a junk yard and the twisted metal fascinated him. He had long since gotten out of that stage, but he was still fascinated by emergency vehicles. Until the previous Friday. When he made a horrible realization. The flower shop was getting a delivery truck. Trucks came at six in the morning, but they had to rearrange a few things. So, they had arrived at five in the morning. They had to wait for an ambulance. Tina's ambulance.