Chapter 7
Darren
Bailey had texted me late on the day we’d seen each other, and she told me that her father’s funeral was to be held at St. Violet’s that next morning. I wondered how many people were going to be able to show up on such short notice and on a Tuesday.
But, as I drove past St. Violet’s, about an hour before the funeral, I already saw many cars and trucks parking outside the church, with people of all ages exiting them dressed in funeral attire. I knew Wayne was liked, but this proved how many people he’d touched. I contemplated going into the church, but I wasn’t ready.
So, I decided to go chill with Garrett at his place for a while first. I sat on his couch, sipping a beer in my suit and tie, mindlessly staring at his TV.
“How’d it go with Bailey yesterday?” Garrett eventually asked me.
“It was brief,” I answered. “She was acting differently than I expected.”
“In a bad way?”
“No, just not how I expected. She’s still the Bailey I used to know, but not—at the same time—if that makes any sense.”
“I think I get you,” said Garrett.
“Today’s going to be rough on her, I know it,” I said. “I’ll probably break down too, ain’t gonna lie. I hate seeing her upset.”
“Maybe you shouldn’t go,” he suggested.
“I want to be there,” I assured him. “He was close to me, too. I’m not going just for Bailey.”
“Would she be offended if I came along?” Garrett asked.
“No, of course not,” I told him. “You’ve been my bro forever. And, she knows you. The more, the merrier, I say. Plus, pro tip: Bailey has a cute friend with her.”
“Awesome!” he said. “I don’t have a suit.”
“Just wear something nice,” I said.
While Garrett was changing into his nicer clothes, I debated whether to drink something heavier before we left for the church. It wasn’t just because I didn’t handle death well, but I was already dreading the notion that I’d see Bailey yet again, and it would only be temporary.
I decided against hard liquor and chose water instead. Once he was presentable, Garrett drove us to the church.
When we got to the funeral, Bailey was at the entrance greeting people as they arrived. When Garrett and I walked up to her, we all stood there, unsure of what to do.
At first, I went for a handshake, but she moved my hand away, and we embraced. I held her tight, not wanting to let her go. The six years of silence were irrelevant at that moment. All that mattered was that I was there for her.
“Thank you for coming,” she said after we finally stopped our hug.
“Thanks for having me,” I said to her. “I assume you have no problem with me bringing this guy with me?”
I motioned to Garrett, who she smiled at.
“Of course not,” she said, pulling Garrett into a hug. They embraced for a few seconds, and then she let him go.
“I’m sorry about your dad, Bailey,” said Garrett.
“Me too,” she said. “Thank you both, for being here. You can find a seat anywhere.”
It was no surprise to me that she didn’t want to have a full, meaningful conversation at that moment. I was also grateful because despite having a day and night’s time of preparation, I still wasn’t sure what I wanted to say to her.
We found our seats in the pews fairly close to the front of the church. There were over a hundred people there, all there to send Wayne off. Most people had their eyes to the front, and while most of those eyes were dry, there was heavy sadness behind them. I recognized a few people as family of Bailey’s, some as friends of Wayne’s, but most of the faces in the crowd were unfamiliar to me. It was powerful to see how many people one man could impact.
Garrett played on his phone while my mind wandered. I was afraid I wouldn’t even have a chance to talk with Bailey, and I wondered if that was for the best.
Even as the preacher stood at his pulpit and the funeral began, I couldn’t maintain focus. The preacher’s words were kind, but they were empty because he’d never known Wayne the way that any of the people in the crowd did.
My attention went fully to the front when the preacher ushered Bailey to come forward and speak. She stepped from her pew and stood where the preacher had stood. She cleared her throat, looking out to the crowd at no one in particular.
“Thank you all for being here today,” said Bailey. “My father would be so happy to know that so many were here.”
She paused, evidently to collect herself. She cleared her throat again, but this time, her voice was accompanied by fast tears streaming down her perfect cheeks.
“My dad was the kindest man I’ve ever known,” she said. “He always believed in my dreams, and he always encouraged everyone to do what they loved in life. He was strong, caring, and I miss him.”
As Bailey broke down, I could hear many in the crowd breaking down with her. Garrett and I exchanged sad looks. He patted me on the shoulder, and I reciprocated.
Bailey shook her head, wiping tears from her face as she stepped down, unable to continue. She went back to her seat, falling into the comforting arms of Leah and other friends of hers.
The preacher went back to his position. “Would Wayne’s sister Elaine like to say a few words?”
We all looked to the front, where an older woman who looked like a female Wayne shook her head once.
The preacher nodded. “Is there anyone in this congregation who would like to say a few words in Wayne’s memory?”
People looked around, waiting for someone to volunteer. I looked toward Bailey, feeling her sadness fill up the chapel.
Just as the preacher was about to move on, I stood up.
“I’d like to speak, if it’s okay with Bailey,” I proclaimed.
Bailey turned around, her face wet with tears, nodding at me in affirmation. I left my seat and walked up beside the preacher. I looked over at the coffin behind me, although I was pretty sure it was empty now, merely a representation of his body as it was to be cremated. I looked out at the crowd:
“Wayne Wright was a Georgia man. He was born here, lived his whole life here, and he tragically died here—far too young. But even though his years were cut unfairly short, the years he had were well spent. He was loved—by family, friends, just about anyone that met him. And, he didn’t have any regrets. He was a hard worker, and he always encouraged anyone around him to try and work as hard as he did, if not harder.
“I knew Wayne for most of my life. If you were friends with his daughter, you were certainly friends with him. He always found something nice to say about anyone— even the people he didn’t really like all that much.”
There was some light chuckling in the crowd. Bailey even cracked a smile.
“He was a kind and caring person,” I said. “And, he’ll be deeply missed. I think I’m not just speaking for me, or his family. Wayne’s departure leaves a gap, but let’s try not to fill it with remorse. Let’s try and fill it the way he’d want us to.”
I stepped down, avoiding Bailey’s gaze. I rejoined Garrett in our pew as the funeral proceeded.
All of Wayne’s visitors had left the cemetery, leaving only me. I stood at the burial site where Wayne’s headstone was, wondering where he was at that moment and what he was doing. I wanted to believe that somehow, someway, he’d been able to hear my words at his service.
Someone that I know had heard me was his daughter. Bailey came up to me, standing only a few inches behind me. We were both staring at the headstone.
“It still doesn’t feel real,” she said.
“You’ve got that right,” I concurred.
“Thank you,” she said to me.
“For what?”
“For helping me up there,” she replied. “What you said was so beautiful. I couldn’t have said any of that better myself.”
“I doubt that miss singer-songwriter,” I said, grinning as I turned to her.
“I’m serious,” she insisted. “I couldn’t even talk, let alone dictate a word of how I felt. You spoke like you’d written all that down beforehand.”
“I didn’t,” I said.
“I believe you.”
We turned back to look at Wayne’s headstone. I wondered where Garrett had gotten to, but I knew he could take care of himself.
“So, what time’s your flight tomorrow?” I asked her.
“I don’t know yet,” she answered. “I haven’t booked a flight yet.”
“Hmm.” I nodded.
“It’s so weird,” she said. “Both of my parents are gone forever. If I sell the house, it’ll be like they were never here. No trace of them will remain.”
“That’s not true,” I said. “You’re proof enough of their impact.”
“I’m proof that they existed,” she said. “They were so much better than I’ll ever be.”
“I respectfully disagree, ma’am,” I said forcefully. “You work hard. You’re smart, caring, brave, beautiful. You’re determined, and you stick to your guns. If you ask me, you’re almost exactly like your parents.”
She grinned. “It’s hard to argue with that evidence. Thanks, Darren.”
“You’re very welcome.”
We stood there for several minutes, not saying a word. I didn’t want to ruin the moment, so once I realized it was coming to an end, I decided to start walking back toward St. Violet’s where Garrett’s car was parked.
“Where are you going?” she asked.
I stopped. “Home, I guess. You?”
“I have no damn idea,” she replied. “I can’t go back to the hotel or to my dad’s house. I need to be out doing something to distract myself.”
I spotted an open window. But, with her leaving soon, I didn’t want to risk hurting either of us.
I gave a sympathetic smile. “You should show Leah around town if you haven’t already. Give her a grand tour. Shouldn’t take forever.”
She laughed. “Right.”
“I’m sorry about your dad,” I said. “I hate that it was under these circumstances, but it was good to see you again.”
“Yeah, same to you,” she said.
I continued on my walk, unsure of how far behind me she was.
Once I’d returned to Garrett’s car, I was puzzled when I noticed that the car was without its owner. I began to write out a text to Garrett, and as I was about to send it, I noticed that he was in the front lobby of the church talking with a few people, Bailey’s friend Leah being one of them.
“So, I was wondering.”
I jumped back, nearly out of my skin, startled by the voice and the person it belonged to. Bailey had walked up to me, and I didn’t even know it.
“I’m sorry!” she said.
“Don’t be,” I said trying to catch my breath. “Wow, you sure know how to walk quietly.”
“I guess so,” she laughed. “Listen, I was just curious. Since I’m still here, I was wondering if maybe you’d let me take you out for dinner tonight.”
“You want to take me out?” I asked. “The girl doesn’t usually ask the guy out.”
“I know, but in this case, I’m making an exception,” said Bailey.
“Okay,” I agreed. “That sounds good. Where would you like to go? We could go to Floyd’s. You haven’t been in six years.”
“I hadn’t been in six years,” she corrected me. “I took Leah there yesterday.”
“Oh,” I said deflated.
“But, I can always go back to Floyd’s. You know that,” she said. “Let’s go there.”
“Okay!” I said. “Well, just text me whenever you want to meet there.”
“Okay,” she said and bit her lip. “I’ll see you, Darren.”
And just like that, the somber and grey day had found a warm, promising light.