Hellcat

Chapter 87

We had a funeral for Father Lantom. Half the city seemed to be there, with me, Matt, Foggy and Karen in the front row. Matt had been asked to prepare a speech, and he had. I could see the nerves in him as he made his way to the pulpit, using his cane to maneuver. "Feels like half of Hell's Kitchen is here today," Matt started off. The nerves in his voice were clear. "...to say goodbye to Father Paul Lantom. Seems fair. He certainly welcomed everyone here, Catholic or not. And he expected those of us who were to, uh, look for ways to do good in our community."

I glanced around the room, Karen and Foggy on the pew to my left. The first few rows of pews across the aisle were full of nuns and other priests, even ones from different churches. "Not even the kids got out of that requirement. I'm sure I'm not the only one who remembers his 'suggestion' that we give some of our First Communion money to the poor box," Matt continued, using air quotes.

The crowd let out a gentle chuckle. "And that was his way. To think of the community, and the, uh... and the individuals in it. To think in terms of 'what can I give'? He gave his life, right here, in this church, protecting others. Standing up to a man who used fear as a tool to set neighbors against one another." I saw Karen dip her head for a moment at Matt's words, and I reached over, squeezing her hand.

"If Father Lantom had an enemy, I would say it was fear." Matt's voice got thick now. "For me, personally, he spent many years trying to get me to face my own fears. To understand how they enslaved me, how they divided me from the people that I love." Matt's head turned in our direction – my friends and I – for just a moment.

"He counseled me to transcend my fears, to be brave enough to forgive... and see the possibilities of being a man without fear. That was his legacy," Matt continued, a small smile on his lips. It almost felt like a secret smile. A teasing and knowing one. Like he was talking about Daredevil, and not just Matt Murdock. "And now its up to all of us to, uh, live up to it," Matt finished with a small nod.

He and I walked out of the church, arm in arm, a small sigh escaping him like the pressure had been lifted. "That was nice, what you said. Perfect," I assured him, giving his arm a small squeeze. "Yeah, it wasn't just him, you know. It was you too," Matt started as we stepped out onto the sidewalk. "You helped me see the truth about myself. And you stopped me. I don't know if I could've done it without you," he said, voice dropping slightly.

"You would have, I know it. Maybe just... after a few more punches," I said, trying to tease. Matt let out a small laugh, dipping his head slightly. "Yeah, maybe. But you always seem to keep the Devil in check," he added with a shrug. "Ironic, given my Atheist tendencies." Matt chuckled at my quip, and I shook my head at him. "Come on, we don't want to me late for the wake," I said, looping my arm with his before heading down to the Nelson Butcher Shop.

"Hey there, Matty! Allison!" a large man in his late fifties called to us. "Uncle Timmy," Matt greeted as we approached the man. "How are those briefs doing?" Timmy asked, beginning the same joke he always made. "Still stapled together," Matt finished the punchline, patting the older man's shoulder as we slowly moved past him. "Attaboy!" Timmy called with a laugh, patting Matt's back as we walked past.

Matt sat at a table, him listening as people moved around the buffet tables, grabbing sides and main dishes as they went. I left him for a moment, grabbing us both a drink. Of course, Foggy's family being Irish meant there was really only Jameson. So, I poured one glass for Matt and grabbed a soda for me before returning to the table where Matt waited.

I sat beside him as Karen approached us with a smile. "Whiskey, neat?" she questioned as Matt raised the glass to take a sip. "For medicinal purposes," Matt responded. "Mmm-hmm," Karen hummed, taking Matt's drink from his hand, and holding the glass. "Want me to get you your own?" Matt asked. "Oh, no. This one tastes just fine," she said even though she hadn't had a sip.