WHITNEY’S POV
Sunday came really quickly. The funeral home had everything ready by one o’clock. April was gracious enough to let us use her house for the meeting point for all the mourners. There were at least two dozen people at her home and I knew there would be plenty more at the church.
We were all waiting for the limo that would carry myself, Brad, Maddie, April and my father to the church. My father hadn’t shown up yet and I wondered if he was going to. Maybe he just drove himself to the church and was waiting there with everyone else.
I pace April’s bedroom as Brad looks in the mirror, fixing his tie.
“Babe, you’re making me dizzy.” Brad states and I stop moving.
I look at the mirror and see he is watching me through it. I sigh and sit on April’s bed.
“This day came too fast.” I state and shake my leg nervously.
Brad stops fumbling with his tie and sits next to me. He places his hand on my knee and presses a bit so my leg stops shaking.
“Babe, I know you’re nervous and it’s expected but remember this is a home going celebration for your mother and I will be sitting right next to you so you have nothing to worry about.”
I smile at him and place a kiss on his lips. When I pull back I fix his tie for him. He thanks me and gives me a kiss before getting off the bed. Maddie comes in the room a few minutes later looking adorable in her black and white polka dot dress and two pigtails with spiral curled ends.
She jumps up on the bed next to me and hugs my torso. “When are we leaving?” she asks.
“Once the limo gets here sweetie.” I tell her and place a kiss on her forehead.
She nods and gets off the bed. Just then April appears and announces the limo has arrived, finally. We all leave the room and head outside. The limo driver calls out the names of everyone who is riding in the limo.
When he calls my father’s name everyone looks around for him. The driver calls his name once again and when no one steps forward he moves on. He explains to everyone who is driving to put on their emergency lights during the drive to the church and to the cemetery.
He ushers myself, Brad, Maddie and April to the limo. We get inside and Maddie is excited to ride in the limo.
The driver gets behind the wheel and I see everyone pile into their cars to follow behind. The drive to the church takes half an hour and the ceremony begins fifteen minutes after we arrive.
The mourners are let in five minutes before the ceremony starts so they can view the body before taking a seat. I wipe my eyes with a handkerchief as I watch people pass by my mother’s body.
Everyone passes by me on the way to their seats and some hug me and whisper condolences before taking their seat.
