Chapter 19: Saying Goodbye
Well… Just two more days until my parents' funeral after what almost feels like a month since I first met the Heelers. Almost the entire community of Canistralia has worked hard to set up the whole party, it was just a matter of now finding the right clothes for the day itself.
Except when you're the only human in a region inhabited by dogs all of which have very different body proportions, that can be a bit of an issue. Luckily, Andrew was able to help with that by using the clothes I currently had for reference with the details being sent to a tailor. The German Shepherd had also promised me that I'd also get more human-fitted clothes besides the mourning suit because of how limited my wardrobe was to begin with. I really owe that dog.
And yet here I was now, sat at one of the steps of the Heeler's front door, so many things I were contemplating on that I couldn't focus on one.
It was just me and Chilli today whom would no doubt be in the house doing whatever she pleased whilst Bandit was off doing some errands and Bluey and Bingo of course were at school and kindergarten respectively.
I don't know what it was, maybe it was just the thought of my parents that brought me down or perhaps I was worried I would end up screwing up on my speech and farewells.
"Nate, you alright, honey?"
The sudden familiar voice of Chilli snapped me out of my stupor as I glanced behind me to see the red Heeler in question sit down on the same step next to me with a look of slight concern.
"I'm fine, Chilli… I guess I'm just a little nervous about the funeral." I sighed truthfully as I stared back down at the ground.
"...Yeah, I know how that can feel. It might be tough for you." Chilli uttered as I felt one of her hands gently pat my back, which got me to continue.
"It just feels so unexpected… There was so many things I was supposed to experience with them such as seeing the looks on their faces for when I become a man. A man who would care for them in their old age… And yet just like that, they're just… gone. And… they won't even hear me say "Goodbye"."
I closed my eyes after that in thought. I was sad, yes. But not enough to cry. After that talk I had with Wendy, I've been trying my best to get it together and stay strong… for them.
"That's not true, Nathan."
I blinked as I looked back at Chilli.
"They might not be with you anymore, but they'll always be watching you from up there. There's no way they'd never hear you say "Goodbye". I know you'll make them proud of you, more than they already are." She added with a smile on her muzzle which I couldn't help but return with one myself.
"Yeah… You're right. And, at least my last moments with them was a happy one." I pointed out, slowly starting to feel better, until I noticed Chilli look down as her smile twitched into a small frown.
"...Are you okay?"
Chilli suddenly stammered a little before answering my question.
"O-Oh, yeah, I'm alright. You know… Speaking of family, do you have anyone else over than your Nana? Any brothers or sisters?" It sounded like Chilli was trying to avert the subject to avoid discussing what had suddenly spouted her brief change in mood but I didn't press for her sake and decided to answer.
"Actually, no. I'm an only child. What about you?" I asked, curious about Chilli's side of the family since I knew only about Bandit's.
Chilli paused after I asked however, that frown returning as if she was remembering something.
"...Well… There is my sister…" Chilli muttered a little despondently.
"Your sister?" I inquired. "Did… Did she…?" I vaguely then asked without finishing the question to imply to Chilli what I was asking without risking hurting her.
"No no… She's still alive. We just… don't see each other anymore."
I looked aside in thought for a moment until I came to conclusion as to what happened between Chilli and her sister.
"...You two had a falling out?"
Chilli didn't say anything for a moment before sighing sadly.
"Yes… When you said that your last moment with your mum and dad was a happy one. It just reminded me a little of her… Brandy."
After mentally registering the name "Brandy" as the name of Chilli's sister, I nodded to signal her to continue.
"It happened sometime after I had Bluey… Brandy, I… I don't know how it all started but… I think she might have been jealous."
"Jealous?"
Chilli inhaled before laying it down straight to me why she theorised Brandy's jealousy.
"Brandy… she… she can't have children."
Ouch… I was not expecting that as an answer. Even if Chilli wasn't being clear, I had a very good idea on what she meant by Brandy being unable to have kids of her own. And to see her sister be blessed with that instead of her…
Poor Brandy…
"Brandy was never too excited about seeing me and Bluey. I think just seeing her always reminded her of what she couldn't have and then…"
I tensed up as I waited for what Chilli was about to say next.
"...Then word got out to her that I would soon have Bingo and… she just lost it. She got so angry at me like she thought I was doing all that just to rub it in her face. Then I got angry and started screaming back at her. It only ended when Brandy said she would rather die than see me or any of my kids ever again…" Chilli's tone became sadder and sadder as she recalled her story.
"I just watched her leave without another word… then I sat down on this very step that night… and just cried. I wasn't just upset at Brandy for saying hurtful things but was upset at myself… Because I felt that I could've… No, should've done more to help her, maybe imagine myself in her scenario."
I felt absolutely terrible hearing all this. And considering how recalling that moment still made her sad, it was rather obvious that neither of them have yet done anything to patch things up.
"Chilli, I'm so sorry…" I muttered sympathetically as I watched her wipe one of her eyes a little.
"It's not your fault… I… I honestly feel like such a baby." Chilli replied, her tone laced with slight embarrassment.
"Don't think like that." I told her as I delicately placed a hand on her arm. "It's okay for adults to cry as well. My dad… he once told me that he had a pet iguana as a teenager and he bawled like a toddler when it passed away." I recalled, chuckling a little as did Chilli.
"You know… You don't have to if you want, but perhaps… Maybe you could try getting in touch with Brandy and try to rebuild bridges with her sometime." I suggested to her. Chilli blinked before glancing down a little anxiously.
"...You really think I should?" She asked me as I responded with a sincere nod.
"I know she can't stay angry at you forever. You both made a mistake and… if you were such good friends with her before the fight, then I'm sure she might just miss you as well, even if only a little bit." I explained before adding with;
"Because at the end of the day, you two are still family to each other. And that matters more than anything in the world."
Chilli's contemplative look turned to one of heartfelt contentment as she processed everything I said to her.
"...Thanks, Nathan." She said happily with an even bigger smile now.
"And thank you too, mo- E-Er, Chilli." I quickly rephrased before the red Heeler leaned over and pulled me into a gentle hug before getting up and returning to whatever she had been doing before.
…
I wanted to smack myself so hard for what I nearly just did. A tender moment I had with Bluey and Bingo's mom and I just had to almost ruin it by calling HER "Mom".
'SERIOUSLY, NATHAN?! CALLING HER "MOM"?! WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?!' I cursed myself in thought at my awkward blunder. Ugh, thank Christ she seemingly didn't hear my slip of the tongue or her possible reaction, which I'm pretty sure wouldn't have been a good one would make me want to jump in a lake.
The funeral was currently being hosted in the same park where I first met Coco and Snickers, whom were in fact there, along with Bluey's other friends and their parents. And just like me, they… Well, mainly the adults had suits. The kids were still void of any attire like they usually were.
Since there was barely much of my parents bodies to be buried, there was a robed table with a photo of my mom and dad on a wreath of autumn leaves instead of a wake. The said table was surrounded by bouquets of flowers, all of which had been left by friends of Bluey's family. Bless their souls.
I swear, if I hadn't had that talk with Chilli, I would've been trembling anxiously as I kept looking around, seeing the many guests who had come to pay their respects.
After what felt like a while, Andrew finally stood in front of the decorated table and spoke into a microphone.
"If I could have your attention please… Ladies and gentlemen, friends and family. We gather here today to pay our respects to James and Abigail Faulkner, the late parents of Canistralia's new human ambassador, Nathan. As most of you may know, they were the unlucky victims of a plane crash that only Nathan survived which stranded him in the forests near Lake Eacham and it wouldn't be until a day later when salvation would come to him in the form of the Heeler family. As we stand now and think about the many days that have passed since Nathan's arrival, we must also pray that his mother and father continue to rest peacefully as they keep a watchful eye on their only son… who, if he wishes to, can now say his final goodbyes to the ones he held close until the end."
I nodded to Andrew gratefully as several of the attending dogs quietly clapped whilst I approached a podium and cleared my throat.
"Everyone in Canistralia… I can't thank you enough for accepting me as one of your own, even if I'm not one of your kind. These past weeks have been tough on me, but it's thanks to you all that I was able to keep going despite what happened to my mom and dad. I still miss them so much to this day and if it weren't for a Chow Chow known as Wendy, I probably would have never attended this funeral. The hole in my heart that aches for family is still there, but I promised my mom and dad that I would always stay strong for them and never give up. And Bluey, Bingo, Chilli and Bandit… The first of the many dogs I would meet here that saw me not as a threat, but a living being just like them, and even going out of their way to house me until I one day find a new family to take me in… Thank you so much… Mom and dad… I know you'll always be up there watching me always, even if I can't see you. Even when I do get a new family, I'll always love you no matter what… and I hope that whoever watches us up there is taking good care of you… Goodbye…"
After my speech, I exhaled as a rush of emotions left out of me, the most of which was a feeling of two things…
Accomplishment… And the feeling like I was finally letting go…
"Good job, Nathan…" Bandit said to me with a heartfelt smile whilst Chilli gave me a thumbs up.
That was when I heard faint sniffling and turned to find Wendy wiping her eyes, small but noticeable streaks of black leaking from them. No doubt it was eyeliner running down her face because of the tears.
"Aww, don't cry, mum…" Judo who was just beside her uttered with empathy.
"I-I'm sorry… That was just so beautiful." I smiled and gently patted the Chow Chow's back.
"Thanks, Wendy. I couldn't have done that speech without you." Wendy looked at me as I said this, smiling through her tear-running makeup.
"Nathan?" It was Muffin's turn now to get my attention as I turned and knelt down to the little grey Heeler. "Yes, Muffin?"
"Socks and I wewe thinking… Even if aunt Chilli and uncle Bandit never adopt you…" Muffin paused for a moment before finishing what she had to say with a question.
"...Can we still call you "Cousin"?"
My smile grew wider at the request as I swore I felt my heart twitch happily at that moment as I lifted Muffin onto my knee and gently held her in an embrace.
"Of course you can."
A/N: Awww, isn't that sweet? So at long last, Nathan finally gets closure in parting ways with his biological parents, but his story in Canistralia is far from over. There's still many unanswered questions and untaken paths that will eventually be answered and discovered.
Tune in next time, same Bat-Time, same Bat-Channel.
