Chapter 4: Requiem for Emerald Green

Melendelson Crematorium, Sparkyville USA, 11:00 AM

The day of Emerald's funeral had arrived, and everybody was going to Melendelson Crematorium, the same place Peppermint Patty's biological mother was cremated when she passed on. Because Emerald had wiped out most of her parents' savings, they couldn't afford to bury her, so they decided to have her cremated instead. Emerald's parents were already there. The first to arrive were Tommy and Polly, then Charlie Brown and Heather Wold, Spearmint Sammy and Heather Clyde-Halverson, Linus and Janice, Shermy and Violet, Percy and Patty Swanson, Franklin and Marcie, Roy and Peppermint Patty, Schroeder and Mary Stewart, Forest and Mimi, Marty and Frieda, Rerun and Katie, Floyd and Peggy Jean, Eudora on her own, and last of all, Eugene and Lydia as well as Jasmine.

Before Eugene and Jasmine went to take their seats, they encountered their parents. Riley tried to hug them, but Eugene stopped him.

"We didn't come for you." said Eugene angrily. "We came to pay our respects to our sister. As for you, Dad, we need to talk, but none of this drama until after the funeral."

Jasmine glared at her dad before she went to take her seat. Eugene saw Tommy.

"Eugene." said Tommy. "I'm so glad you could make it."
"So am I." said Eugene. "My eulogy will explain why Jasmine and I decided to come after all. It may or may not change your opinion on Emerald."

When it was time for the funeral to begin, the pastor stood up at the podium.

"We are all gathered here to say farewell to Emerald Anya Green." said the pastor. "Would anybody like to say anything about her?"

"I will."

Everyone expected Tommy to say that, but were most surprised to see it was Eugene who had said that.

"Emerald's brother Eugene. Will you come forward?" Asked the minister.

"Yes." Said Eugene, and he stood up and walked towards the podium.

Everyone braced themselves for what Eugene was about to say. Riley was especially nervous.

"For many years, many of you already know that I harboured great contempt for Emerald Green, who happened to be my big sister. Most of you know the abuse, whether physical, mental or emotional, that I had to endure. As bad as I had it, Jasmine, my younger sister, had it worse. Emerald was a psychopath, insane, and very mean. Because of this, I signed up for the navy, and Jasmine ran away from home. We both hated Emerald, and didn't want anything to do with her."

Everyone stood silent.

"But recently," Eugene continued. "Some revelations came to light. Jasmine and I found out that all the bad things Emerald had done weren't 100% her fault. It was actually a case of her not getting the treatment she desperately needed to be a decent member of society. As it turns out, Emerald suffered too. She may have bullied us, but she couldn't help it. I'm stating facts. Years ago, shortly before Jasmine was born, Emerald was diagnosed as being narcissistic, bipolar, sinister, prone to violence, feeling like blaming others for her own crimes was right. She was smart, but mentally flawed. She believed all of this well into adulthood. This is why she was expelled from university when she went to become a doctor. It wasn't all her fault to begin with because she was denied the treatment and counselling. She thought framing others for her own crimes was right, and wore it as a badge of honour, and saying everyone deserved to be framed. The only person she had a soft spot for was one person here, whom I shan't say the name of. I will say, if Emerald was given the treatment, this guy may have given her the time of day."

Everyone was amazed by what they had heard, but Riley fidgeted.

"So, my final say," Eugene finished. "Emerald may not hear me, but wherever she is, I forgive her for what she did to me. Jasmine forgives her too. I can justify her actions easier. I hate the fact I had to endure what she'd done, but now I see why it happened. Now, Emerald. In death, I hope you can have the peace you could never get in life. I love you, Sister."

After Eugene had finished, everyone started to cry. Riley glared at Anya, knowing she had told their remaining offspring about Emerald's mental issues and him not wanting to fix them. Tommy looked towards Eugene.

"I forgive Emerald too." Tommy smiled.

And both he and Eugene hugged.

Next Chapter: A Big Separation