Among Friends

The Funeral

I sat in a daze as the pastor told of Vivian's Life. I held on to Nia as she sobbed. Tasha held on to Tyrell.
"You see Sister Vivian was the epitome of love just like our Lord she let love governed her life..." the Pastor spoke and the church concurred.
The choir sung a selection as all of Vivian's co worker's, friends and loved ones paid their last respects.
I had an epiphany during the services. I walked away as they were putting my friend in the ground. I heard Nia's cries as they lowered her mother in the ground. My soul aches for her. But Tyrell and James grabbed her as she sobbed uncontrollably.
I decided to call my mother.
She was somber. She said that Vivian was a very lovely girl.
"I am sorry Keisha. I thought Jeremiah loved you...he swore up and down." She replied.
"And he's not going to keep the house..."
I sighed. " He can have it. I am leaving."
"Where are you going?" She asked. I told her I had all my stuff in storage and that I was leaving tomorrow.
" You can't leave K'Shawn here to marry that boy!" She interjected.
"Ma, K'Shawn is grown. He can love anyone he wants..." I replied.
"That's disgusting! Yes and Jeremiah did tell me how you was messing with your dead friend's son. I declare...Keisha...you can't do anything right..."
This was my last nerve. "So Ma was it right for you to send me to Grandma's house after your friend tried to mess with me? " I asked. " You chose every man over me. And the fuck up shit is just because you allowed these men to slap you in the face, push you down, curse you out like you were less then a child of God while you took from me to provide for them that means I have to let this man degrade me and my son..."
"Okay Keisha, you want me to say it. You are the bigger woman then I ever will be."
The friends and family gathered back to the house for refreshments. I found myself serving the food. James came over and said he wanted to talk to me. I pulled off my apron and threw it on the counter. We walked outside on the patio.
"I wanna thank you, Keisha." He replied. I looked at him and answered "No problem..."
"I loved Viv...she was a good woman. She was a good wife and mother. But sometimes I just wish..." He was hurt. I reached up to hug him.
I excused myself to go to Vivian's room.
It was neat just how Tyrell left it. I found the silver hoop earrings she gifted to me in her jewelry box. I took out the bottom to find the letter.
It was eight 'o'clock before everyone paid their last condolences and head to their homes. Tyrell was sitting down with his friends when I tipped him on his shoulder to motion him to come here. I heard the low cheers of his friends.
I close the door of Vivian's room behind us.
I hand him the letter. He took it out my hand slowly. Inside was a photograph of a man. He looked like him.
Tyrell gasped. "So what Ma and Dad whispered and fussed about is true..." he replied. He took out the letter. It was a love letter to Vivian. "He knew about me..."
I smiled. "He knew the question of you. He died a little before you were born."
He read the letter in silence. "Ma was pretty special." He replied. I agreed.