Page 24 of Burn Falls
Alastair switched the television on, and we all stared at it. No one was w watching, but it drowned out the silence.
“I can’t believe he’s gone,” Mom said, a fresh batch of tears surfacing.
Betha hugged her as they cried together, and I leaned against the back of the couch, picturing my handsome dad as my own tears rolled down my face, splashing onto my top as they dripped off my chin, and before I knew it, I was dreaming.
Dreaming of my father alive.
My eyes felt as if I’d had been in a fight. They were swollen and tender as I showered the next morning. I let the water run over my face, wanting it to wash the grief away. How would today go? I knew there would be many tears and many phone calls to be made, and I was dreading it all because I just wanted to stay in bed and be alone.
I dressed comfortably in sweatpants and a baggy tee, and I tied my long brown hair up off my face. My body craved caffeine, so I headed downstairs to start a pot of coffee. The rest of the house woke not long after me, each grabbing a cup of coffee and not saying anything because it wasn’t a “good morning.”
We sat at the kitchen table for a long period of time before Mom spoke. “I guess I’d better start arranging the funeral.”
I placed a hand over hers. “Let us handle that.”
She smiled tightly. “Thank you.”
“Betha and I will start calling everyone,” Alastair said. He squeezed Mom’s shoulder and left the room, taking his coffee with him. Betha followed.
Mom left the table and went up to her room while I called the funeral home and scheduled my father’s service. Later that afternoon, a couple of my mom’s closest friends, including Uncle Ted, arrived to lend their support. It was hard watching my mom break down over and over and over again. I wished there was some way to take all of her pain away.
Not knowing what to do with myself other than cry, I took the liberty to take all of the Christmas decorations down. I didn’t know what to do with the presents other than hide them in the hall closet. I knew no one wanted to open them because presents were meant to be happy, and we were far from ever being happy again.
The day before my father’s funeral, I decided to take Valencia up on her offer. Even though I had my family, I felt alone. I needed my friend to help make me forget, or at least make me laugh. I grabbed my cell from my nightstand and called her.
“Calla. Thank God. I wanted to give you some space, but I’m so glad you called.”
I burst into sobs. “I still can’t believe he’s gone.”
“I know, honey. Please let me come to you. You know I’m off work until the Monday after New Year’s. We can drink margaritas every night.”
I nodded, even though she couldn’t see me. “Yes, please, please come. I need my friend.”
“Done. I’ll book the next flight I can get on.”
“Thank you. I’ll pay you back for your plane ticket.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. You’re my best friend, and I want to be there for you.”
I tried to lighten the mood. “But this means you won’t have a date with Chance now.”
She chuckled slightly in my ear. “Please. I was only going to go to Unicorn and hope he noticed me.”
“Of course he would. He always does.”
“You’re more important.”
I smiled tightly. “Thank you.”
“Let me jump online and book the next flight I can get. I’ll text you the schedule.”
“Perfect. I’ll pick you up at the airport.”
After I pressed the end button, I opened up the text messages and sent one to Draven. I hadn’t heard from him—not like I’d expected my father’s doctor to call—but I remembered I stillneededto thank him. Okay, I wanted to thank him. I wanted to see if he’d respond to me—to find out if he truly was only being a good guy. It was weird to be thinking about Draven right now, but it was better than continuing to cry.
Thank you for everything you tried to do for my father.I know you did what you could, and I’m grateful. Also, thank you for making me laugh the other night at Maxwell’s That was needed too.
There was no reply. Looking outside at the shining sun, I figured he was sleeping given he seemed to only work the evening or night shift. But by the time I fell asleep that night, he still hadn’t texted or called.
