Tempted

Chapter 45

Raven's POV

The past few days have been a blur. Not only for me, but for James as well.

Losing Jonathan was bad, but this-this is much worse.

The pain that we both feel is tremendously painful. We can't stop crying, we can't eat and we can't sleep.

I don't know about James, but I feel like such a burden to everyone. All of them have tried comforting us, but we just push them away. Well James does, I just sit there and stare at nothing in particular.

Harry has been around a lot lately. I feel like he's trying to keep me from going back into that weird depression phase all over again. I can't blame any of them for not wanting that to happen, but I think they need to let me grieve my own way.

James and I haven't spoken to our father since the night mom died. He refused to deal with any of her funeral arrangements. He gave us the money and said he needed some time to recompose himself before her funeral.

James didn't like that and tried to hit our dad, but Harry was there and held him back.

Ever since then I have been planning everything. James is too unstable to do it and even though it's hard for me I know that she would want to be buried as soon as possible.

I asked for the girls help in figuring everything out. Janine has also offered to help. She may not have known my mother, but she knows what it's like to lose someone that's close to you.

Now it's late Sunday afternoon and I'm trying to finalize everything for the funeral.

"So I talked to the church where we had Jonathan's funeral and they said that you can have the ceremony there." Janine tells me.

"Um. My mom had this church that she wanted to have it at, but I don't remember what it's called or where it's at. But that church is fine. It's nice and peaceful." I say in a low voice.

"Okay. I'll let the church know." I nod my head and shift through a few papers on the table.

"I still have to look for flowers." 

"Well what kind of flowers did she like?" Janine asks.

"She liked Calla Lilies and Orchids."

"Well I know a great florist who can put together a really nice arrangement that we can put on top of her casket."

"Okay." I whisper.

"Raven, why don't you take a break? We've been at this for hours honey."

"I have to do this. If I don't who will?"

Janine looks behind me at the door and says nothing.

"Raven. There's someone here to see you." Harry says from the entrance to the dining room.

"Who is it?"

"Some lawyer. Said he knew your mother."

I slowly get up from my seat and walk out of the dining room.

"Roger. What a pleasant surprise." I say upon seeing the man standing in the hall.

"I was half way across the world when I got the call from your brother. I'm so sorry Raven."

"It's fine. None of us were expecting it."

Roger takes a deep breath and looks between me and Harry.

"No offense, but can your friend leave. I'd like to talk to you and James alone."

"I'm not going anywhere. This is my house." Harry says outraged.