Page 87 of No Remedy for Love

“No, Blaze, you can’t think like that. She’s gonna pull through.”

“I’m good, love and so is she. I asked for a sign and I got it. Don’t make me out to be a liar. I told my Nana that you got me now.”

“Always.”

Remi leaned over and kissed him right as they opened the door. The solemn looks of their faces confirmed what they already knew. His grandmother was gone.

A week later, Blaze, along with his family, laid Bertha to rest. He really didn’t have much to do because his grandmother had planned her own funeral. She told him what color she wanted to wear and had even written up her own obituary. White and gold were the colors that she chose and he honored every one of her wishes. Remi and her family were a blessing from God because his family wasn’t shit. All they did was complain about why he did things the way he did. They didn’t like the church or the final resting place that was chosen. Theywanted to wear black and he told them that he didn’t give a fuck. He and Remi had on white and gold, the same as his Nana. Bertha had a three hundred thousand dollar insurance policy that he kept paid up and he made sure to spare no expense.

“Who is that screaming like that?” Remi asked as she turned her head slightly to get a better view.

Blaze turned around and shook his head when he saw some of his cousins acting a fool. He hadn’t seem most of them in years and neither had his grandmother.

“See, baby, this is exactly why I didn’t want to have a repast. Freeloading muthafuckas ain’t eating and drinking shit on my dime.”

Blaze opted out of the tradition of marching in with the family. He and Remi sat up front during visitation and watched as everyone came and went.

“Blaze! We’re in church.”

“Oh shit, my bad, love.” He made the sign of the cross on his chest.

“My poor baby, we’re gonna have to get you saved after this is all over with.”

“They did my girl right. It looks like she’s taking a nap.”

“Yes, she looks amazing.”

She and Blaze found her a white dress that was trimmed in gold. Remi saw some of Bertha’s pictures from before she got sick and noticed that she loved to wear hats. She found her a white hat that was trimmed in gold just like her dress. Her makeup was beautiful and she did appear to just be resting.

After a while, the church was filled to capacity and the services had started. Remi was thankful to her family for the support that they gave Blaze in his time of need. Monique had even taken the trip to be by her friend’s side. Bertha’s pastor was doing the eulogy that she’d asked him to do the many times he had come to see about her. She had been a longtime member of his church, and he knew her very well. Blaze’s ex-wife and sister were there sitting together on a bench right across from theirs.

Thankfully, the hour-long service went on with no drama or interruptions. The funeral home provided two Mercedes Sprinter vans and a limo that Blaze, Remi, and her people were in. Bertha was being buried in a wall crypt that was right at the front of the beautifully maintained cemetery.

“Where is the repast gonna be at, Blaze?” his mother, Jean, asked. She wasn’t even being respectful of the pastor who was speaking at the time.

“It’s wherever you want it to be.”

“What does that mean? I only asked because you didn’t put it on the program.”

“That’s because I’m not having one, Ma.” Blaze was trying to tune her out, but she just wouldn’t go away.

“That wasn’t for you to decide!”

Jean was getting loud, causing a few people to look over their way. Blaire walked closer to her mother, just in case she had to lay her brother’s new bitch out. Reanna was right behind her just like always.

“You good, Ma?” Blaire whispered as she pulled her mother away. Jean was emotional and she wanted to know why.

“He’s a no good selfish bastard. First, he locked us out of mama’s house and then, he planned her funeral without even asking for our input.” Jean had tears falling from her eyes and that pissed her daughter off even more.

“Ain’t no way in hell Blaze planned this shit all by himself. He let that hoe get in his head with his stupid ass.”

“I already know. I’m not stupid. I saw those two new cars that were parked in mama’s driveway. Zita wasn’t lying. Mama did win that money at the casino and he’s spending it up like he’s entitled to it.”

“Didn’t I tell you that?” Blaire looked over at Reanna knowingly.

The family members who were riding in the vans parked in the vacant lot across from Bertha’s house. Blaire’s jaw dropped when she saw the Lamborghini Urus and Bentley Bentayga parked in her Nana’s driveway. They still had temp tags on the back and looked to be showroom new.

Reanna didn’t really care about what Blaire and her mother were saying. She was too busy watching her ex-husband and ex side nigga with their new bitches. Blaze was in love and there was no doubt in her mind about that. She hated the way he looked at Remi and seemed to not be able to make a move without her. And Ferris, she just hated him altogether. Reanna had so many regrets and not doing right by her husband was one of them. She also had regrets about her surgery and she was looking into some options to make it right.

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