Sara
“AT LEAST THE funeral home is in walking distance, right?” Denise offered a nervous laugh as we turned the corner.
The funeral plans were clear for every step, odd for a couple in their fifties. In her search for some sort of insurance policy, Denise stumbled upon a large envelope with all the paperwork we’d need for the funeral and reading of assets afterward, complete with all necessary contact information. Everything was paid for and planned; she only needed to call the numbers listed. By the time I arrived, everything was already set.
The painstaking detail in their final wishes brought a whole new level of sadness to the day. They must’ve known their daughters—or anyone for that matter—wouldn’t know them well enough to have any idea what their wishes would be. There would be no church service, only a priest saying a few prayers at the funeral home before a car drove us to the cemetery. We locked eyes and sucked in a long breath before strolling inside.
Two closed caskets lay at the front of the long room with two floral arrangements on either side. I ambled over to read the cards. One was from my mother’s sister who only lived in New Jersey and didn’t come in person to pay her respects, and a couple were from my father’s job. I contemplated sending flowers, but why? Why would you send a gift to someone in death who would probably throw it back in your face if they were alive?
My eyes drifted around the room, avoiding my parents on purpose. When they landed on the wooden boxes, my gaze clouded. Part of me wanted to pound my fists on the wood, demanding an answer for shunning me for so many years. The other part wanted to collapse in tears and beg them for forgiveness for not being the daughter they wanted. I cupped my throat, rubbing away the growing lump that was almost asphyxiating me.
Other than a half a row of mourners in the middle of the room, it was empty. A morbid thought of my own funeral entered my mind. Would it be as empty as this? Victoria would have a ton of people there for her I was sure, her father and Brianna and all the friends I knew she’d cultivate over the years. No matter what I did in this world, I was leaving behind something precious in her. A tear snaked down my cheek for my parents and the life and love they squandered.
“Sara, remember Toniann?” The little blonde pixie’s eyes filled with tears as she embraced me in a hug. I was relieved someone other than me was here to give her support, especially today.
“Where’s the priest?” I asked my sister as I impatiently searched the back of the room. It was a long day already and I wished he’d arrive soon to get the show on the road.
I found him as he closed the door behind one last mourner. When the man in the dark suit lifted his head, all the air expelled from my lungs in a whoosh.
"Drew?" I croaked as my eyes slow blinked at the sight before me. He buttoned his suit jacket before making a quick stroll over to me. He had to be an illusion, some kind of mirage my troubled mind conjured to get me through this awful day. How did he know, and how did he get here?
"Lisa." The corner of his mouth lifted in a half smile as he came closer. "She found me at the lab and told me. I left campus yesterday afternoon.”
My quivering jaw dropped. "You drove all the way here? Why?”
He gave me a slow nod and shrugged. “Why wouldn’t I? I love you. I won’t let you go through this alone.” He lifted an eyebrow as he closed the distance between us. We were almost chest to heaving chest.
"But . . .” My mouth parched as I forgot what I was about to say. I took in a sharp breath through my nostrils and did the best I could to stand straight.
He inched a fraction of a centimeter closer, still not touching me, but holding my watery gaze with a dark, burning glare. Time stopped along with my heartbeat. Drew shook his head, as if he was reading my thoughts, and opened his arms. I once again collapsed onto his chest in choking sobs.
"I love you. I’ll keep saying it until it sinks in,” he rasped into my hair. “The rest, we’ll talk about later.”
I burrowed my head deep in his chest, breathing him in and praying this wasn’t a dream. He always seemed too good to be true.
“I’m Denise.” My sister rushed to Drew with an extended hand, giving me a quick side-glance. I nodded, answering her silent question that this was the ex-boyfriend I didn’t want to talk about.
“Drew.” He took her hand and gave it a shake with his other arm still wrapped around my waist. We still had a lot to talk about, but having him here and so close to me felt too good to question for the moment. Maybe I didn’t have to question it at all. The past couple of days were a painful reminder of how my family gave me shelter, but not a home. My home was Drew.
A hint of a smile danced across his mouth before he took my hand and laced our fingers together. Tears flooded my eyes as I squeezed back. I rested my head on his shoulder, letting my eyes shut as an odd peace wafted over me through the sadness. Even after everything, Drew was my someone. My person. He gave me something I never had before—unconditional love through the worst of circumstances.
I let my hand drift down the lapel of Drew’s jacket. “You clean up really well, Kostas.” He caught my hand and brought it to his lips.
“Always so gorgeous,” he whispered. His hand slid to the nape of my neck as his eyes searched mine.
A sad chuckle fell from my lips. My eyes were heavy, and I was sure circled with dark puffy bags.
“You’re delirious, Drew.”
He drew me into his side and rested his chin on the top of my head.
“Maybe. But I’m not going anywhere.” He pressed a kiss to my temple. “Whether you like it or not.”