Dancing with the Stars

Chapter 8

Of all possessions a friend is the most precious.

Herodotus

Saying goodbye to a friend.

It was the morning of his friend Frank burial. It was a sunny day in Los Angeles, blue sky not a cloud in sight. The cars pulled up to the cemetery. One by one the people exit. The cemetery was quiet, it as if the birds knew that today he was burying a friend. Kendall in a black suit stood with the others saying goodbye to his friend Frank and his father Norman. Emily and Nancy didn't know the details of their deaths. It was better if they didn't know. Mr. Anderson didn't know that Frank was Kendall friend. It was better that way. This Is the life he chose. There is no turning back no undoing. This is who he is. Kendall step forward and lay a single yellow rose on the casket and whisper goodbye my friend may I never forget you. He nod his head in prayer. He remember the long summer nights hanging out on Franks porch. Franks mom Emily would always bring him and Frank drinks and cookies. Frank's dad a man so full of life. Always making me feel welcome. He was there for Kendall when his dad die. He held Kendall while he cry and told him it was his dad time to go. Kendall turn towards Emily and held her hands and whisper I'm sorry. Sorry that I couldn't of done something. Emily nodded. She was dress in her sunday best. A black suit with a simple hat. He turn towards Nancy and hug her and whisper his condolences to her. He step back nodded. Nancy who was Frank's little sister who grew up to be a beautiful young lady. She had on a simple black dress with a bow. Nancy brush the tears from her face. She watch Kendall Leave. Nancy was saddened that nothing would be the same again. She turn and thank them all for coming. They whisper their condolence. One by one they left and walk to their cars. Come on mom said Nancy. Dad and Frank are gone there's nothing you can do. Emily holding back the tears carefully place the rose on the casket. Goodbye my love she whisper. Nancy walk slowly with her mom to the car. It was just the two of them now. Nancy didn't know how she would take care of her mom. Kendall watch them leave. He said good bye to the life of his childhood. Goodbye to the simple carefree life. He would no longer be the same. Kendall got in his Chevy Chevelle and drove off. Heading home to say his goodbyes. He'll take Bea up on that offer to see a movie. Hanging out with the stars made him forget who he was and what he did. If only for a little while thought Kendall. Bea was excited to go. They headed downtown Los Angeles to go to the theater that Kendall work at. He wanted to show Bea good time.

It was early afternoon so the crowd was not as busy. They sat in the back and watch the latest Alfred movie. Eating popcorn and sharing a soda. It was fun watching Bea expression. This is just what Kendall needed. A little break from reality. Reality of what he was and where it might take him. It was good to hear his sister laughing as they exit the theatre. Kendall held the door open for her and notice a guy hanging around the outside of the theatre. He help Bea into the car. He lean down sit tight sis I'll be right back. He walk up to the guy, what do you want Kendall said. The guy handed him a piece of paper. Mr.Anderson told me to give this to you and to remind you that you have a job to do. Kendall watch the man walk off. Right now it didn't matter if Mr. Anderson knew. What done was done. Kendall put the note in his inside suit pocket and walk back to his car. He got in and Bea asked who was that. No one he said as he drove off toward his mother's home. He drop Bea off and went inside to say goodbye to his mother. He hug her and whisper I do not know when I'll return. Please be safe. Love you mom. By sis. He left and headed to his apartment. He enter his apartment and place his keys on the table. He walk over to the cabinet and got a glass and pour himself a cold one. Here's to you Frank. I'm sorry I wasn't there for you. Kendall went to the living room an place the bottle on a coaster on the coffee table. He took off his suit jacket and place it on the back of the kitchen chair. Kendall sat on the couch he took off his tie, unbutton the top of his shirt. Kendall lend his head back. He was so tired of all of it. Saddened by today's events. Kendall knew that this was the life he chose. He thought of his time with Franks family and a tear escape and slowly travel down his face. Good-bye Frank and Norman i will missed you. He swung back the drink and place it on a coaster next to the bottle. Kendall lay back and thought of simpler times in his life. The smile and laughter of Frank and his Father Norman. Kendall got up and took the piece of paper out of his suit jacket. He read it. The note was a place and time to meet someone. He knew the place it was Fred place. Fred was an acquaintance of Kendalls. He would go it is what he did. Kendall crumble the piece of paper and threw it in the trash. Sometimes he hated what he became. He would go it's what he did. Kendall wish he had more time to spend with his family.