Chapter 5: The Big Rupture

The minister soon stood back at the podium with a few more words to say.

"It's now time to cremate Emerald. There'll be food at the Sparkyville Birds Club."

"All that mourning has made me hungry." Said Tommy.

"Me too." Said Charlie Brown. "And I forgive Emerald too."

"So do I." Added Frieda.

And everyone but the Greens headed for the club, while the Greens remained to pick up Emerald's ashes.

After Emerald's funeral, Riley stayed behind to collect the urn the priest placed Emerald's ashes in. The urn was painted green, Emerald's favourite colour.

"Thank you, Sir." Said Riley, as he brought the urn containing Emerald's ashes to the club, just for everyone to see.

Sparkyville Birds Club, 12:00 PM

Eugene and Jasmine joined their parents, while Lydia and Tommy joined Frieda, Polly, Sebastian, Charlie Brown, Sally, Harold Angel, Peppermint Patty, Marcie, Franklin, Roy, Schroeder, Marty, Spearmint Sammy, Heather, Scarlet, Linus, Janice, Lucy, Violet, Rerun, Katie, Mary Stewart, and Schroeder at the table.

"I wonder what's going on over there?" wondered Tommy.

"Whatever it's going to be, it's going to get ugly." Said Scarlet.

Whilst the friends ate, just before Riley could tear into Anya for what she told Jasmine and Eugene, Anya showed Riley just what she wanted to show him.

"Anya, I know you're responsible for telling our kids about Emerald's problems!" Riley said angrily.

"Riley. Before you tear into me some more, you wouldn't mind looking in this briefcase, would you?" Asked Anya.

"Okay." Said Riley.

As Riley opened the briefcase, he was appalled, almost as appalled as he was upon hearing about Emerald's death.

"YOU'VE FILED ME FOR DIVORCE?!" exclaimed Riley.

Everyone stood silent over what they had heard. Anya had shown Riley the divorce papers she asked Fred to draw earlier.

"WE JUST HAD A FUNERAL FOR EMERALD!" shouted Riley. "WHY COULDN'T YOU WAIT UNTIL AFTER THE WAKE TO SHOW ME THESE?! COULDN'T YOU?!"

"NO, RILEY!" shouted Anya. "I'M PICKING UP WHERE WE LEFT OFF! DON'T YOU SEE? EUGENE AND JASMINE DON'T WANNA BE AROUND YOU! AND YES! I TOLD THEM ABOUT EMERALD'S ISSUES, AND YOU NOT WANTING TO FIX THEM!"

"Excuse me?!" Riley said in confusion.

"And by the way, Riley!" added Anya. "Divorcing you is not the only news I wanted you to hear! I've tossed your belongings out on the front lawn, and I'm holding you responsible for allowing Emerald to die! Plus, I've packed up my belongings before we left for the funeral! I'm going to Hobart with Eugene and Jasmine!"

Riley turned to Eugene.

"EUGENE? IS THIS TRUE?" Riley asked loudly.

"Yes it is!" Eugene said angrily. "THIS IS YOUR DOING! If you had given Emerald the treatment she desperately needed, she wouldn't have ended up like this! She wouldn't have abused me nor Jasmine! She would've looked for a job! She would've eaten better! She probably wouldn't have gotten diabetes! And whatsmore, she would still be alive now! She may have landed a boyfriend! And Mum wouldn't be divorcing you right now if ever! And don't even start me on her abuse towards Tommy, Peppermint Patty, Frieda, or Charlie Brown!"

"You…. don't mean that, do you?" asked Riley.

"Yes he does!" said Anya finally. "Emerald's life was an entire lie, and I'm sick of it! And so are Eugene and Jasmine!"

"And to add to this," Eugene finished. "Lydia is expecting my first child any day now! But because you ruined our lives by not giving Emerald the help she desperately needed, you won't be able to see your first grandchild!"

Riley turned to Jasmine.

"J…. Jasmine…."

"Shut up!" Jasmine said angrily. "Take a good look at me and Eugene! Because you will never see us again for the rest of your life, Now stay out of our lives! When you die, don't expect us to attend your funeral!"

Riley looked dejected. He slowly walked out of the wake, while his now estranged wife and remaining offspring glared at him.

"Sorry about that." said Anya. "I just wanted to vent my anger."

"Don't sweat it, Anya." Said Karina. "You had to let it out of your system. You should've disowned Emerald all those years ago when she was still alive."

"Ah, what can you do?" asked Anya.

Then, she turned to her remaining offspring.

"Eugene and Jasmine, from this day forward, I'm going to be a decent mother to both of you."

"You always were, Mum!" Eugene said.

"We really do love you, Mum! And we're sorry you had to deal with that monster of a daughter of yours too." Jasmine added.

And both Green siblings hugged their mother, whom had hugged back.

Next Chapter: Fair date and a surprise proposal