Patrick
This whole process was a nightmare; I floated through the arrangements for Toni's funeral without even noticing what was going on around me. The day arrived and I went about preparing in auto-pilot mode, I did the same at the cemetery.
Toni had expressly declared a closed casket as well as no viewing of her body. I needed to say goodbye. I waited until everyone had left and it was just the guys and I before going over to the coffin and attempting to open it. The funeral director stopped me and said I was not allowed to do so. I was not her family nor in a relationship with her at the time of her death. I looked to Pete; his eyes were red and puffy from crying throughout the entire day thus far. "Will this work to get you sober Patrick? Seeing her, dead in a coffin, knowing you put her there?"
I gulped, "Yes. Yes it will."
Pete nodded at me then spoke clearly and concisely. "I was Antonia's boyfriend at the time of her death and I would like you to open that casket please."
"But Sir, Miss Oliviera's express wishes were..."
Pete bellowed loudly, "I SAID OPEN IT!"
The director fumbled to open the casket. Inside the casket was the clothes Toni was in at the time of her death, still bloody and torn, and a note addressed to "Whomever disrespected my last wishes."
With trembling hands, I opened the note. There, in her immaculate handwriting, was written: "You should have let the dead rest in peace. Now the living will be left with questions. Do not try to find me."
Antonia was still alive. She didn't want to be found. But we needed the truth. She owed us the truth.
