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Sitting in one of the front rows of a church, Anthony listens to a minister lead the service. He honestly hasn't heard a word the man has said. He looks down at his lap where his hand lays intertwined with Abella's before glancing at her.
He knew as soon as he saw Rob's wife, Nancy, calling him that night it wouldn't be good. Rob had finally succumb to his battle with Prostate Cancer. The past week has been filled with making arrangements and mourning.
The funeral that was initially intended to be for close family and friends grew larger than life when people found out the news. After all, Rob was a beloved coach and trainer to many fighters in England. That includes being the head coach of the British boxing team for the Olympics, Carl Froch, and then Anthony on top of him once being a boxer himself. He had an amazing career, so it would almost be a shame not to send him out right.
The church filled with nearly a hundred people is quiet with only that one person coughing being heard. The Cherry Wood casket is shined to perfection with a flower arrangement resting on top of it. The cameras set up to broadcast the funeral for tv make Anthony uneasy, but if his family didn't find it intrusive, what could he say?
With that in mind, Anthony and Abella decided to not bring their children. They also feel they're too young. Funerals can be confusing and even traumatic.
Abella knows that first hand. Her early experiences with death, funerals, and grieving was something that had to be heavily be covered in their early sessions of therapy together. They don't want the same thing for their children.
A man in a suit comes over to the pew Anthony's sitting in motioning for him to come. That means it's almost time for him to speak. Anthony rises and Abella's expecting to remain seated, but he never let go of her hand. He turns looking down at her so she stands following behind him. As they walk Anthony only lets go of her hand for a couple seconds to button his suit jacket.
"You okay?" she asks quietly once they've gotten to the back area away from the funeral guests.
"I don't know if I can do this," he stares at the stage from the side where one of Rob's closest friends speaks about him.
