Lay it on the Line : The Good Samaritan book two

3

CHAPTER 3

Many people had gathered for the funeral. Mr. Welsh was a very respected and loved man. Paige still couldn't believe he was dead. She sat in silence in the front pew of the church as the ceremony preceded, her friend, Xavier a couple pews behind her. The church was packed with people from all over, showing their respects. Many people had to stand because all the seats were taken. The grief in the air was thick and the room silent. Mitch walked to the podium to speak John Welsh's eulogy. Paige's eyes wandered through the crowd, and she noticed William Greene sitting across the church. When she saw him, her blood started to boil. William sat with a couple of his own bodyguards and security. He had his black hair combed back, with a thousand-dollar suit on. He loved to show that he had money. His pinky ring was even rumored to have cost more than a small island. Paige kept calm and collected on the outside, but on the inside a storm started to build up. Plots of revenge, among other things, ran through her mind. She knew it was Greene. She could tell by his appearance at the funeral. His crooked smirk is what gave it away. Paige turned to face the front and began to play with her necklace. It was a small silver cross her father had given her. The cold smooth metal gave her comfort. She would often play with it to calm her nerves. She remembered the day her father gave it to her.

~It was the eve of her sixteenth birthday and Paige was standing in her room rummaging through her closet. She took a couple items out, laying them on her bed. It had been almost an hour and she still couldn't find anything to wear. Mr. Welsh was taking her out to celebrate, just the two of them. Paige looked at the items on her bed and sighed. As she grabbed the pink dress hanger, there was a knock on her door.

"Come in." she said walking back to her closet. She placed the dress back on the rack as her father entered her room.

"Happy birthday darling, about ready to go?" He asked. She turned to him

"No, I can't decide what to wear." she huffed in frustration. "It's alright, take your time." he laughed a bit.

"You know you are just like your mother, right? She would be so proud of you, I know I am." He drummed his thumb over the little gray box. Paige looked up from her bed towards the noise. Pointing up towards his hand she tilted her head. "What's that?" she asked, finally deciding on a green tank top with jeans. "It's your birthday present." he held out the box, walking towards her. Paige smiled and walked around her bed towards her father. Slowly taking the box from his hands, she smiled up at him then down at the box. She slowly opened it to reveal a small simple cross.

"It was your mother's cross. She had worn it every day. I asked her one day why and she simply said to remind me that God is watching out for us, that he is always there for us, no matter what. No matter the problem or the struggle, this cross reminded her that he was there, helping." Paige smiled as she ran her finger over the cool silver. "Thank you, daddy."~

Mitch finished his speech and sat back down. He gave her a faint smile as he sat beside her. The pew creaked as he sat beside her. Paige again glanced back towards William. Mitch noticed her looking at him. He touched her knee. "Don't worry about him." He whispered in her ear. The preacher asked everyone to stand as he prayed over the casket. The whole church stood up in unison. Everyone bowed their heads, except William. He just watched Paige from a distance. He touched one of his bodyguard's arms and whispered in his ear. The bodyguard nodded and left the church. Paige stared down at her black heels, thinking to herself. The preacher then called the pall bearers to come to the front and carry the casket out. The men did as they were asked, and Paige followed them out. She still eyed William as she passed by, her face full of anger and hate. William stared back at her, squinting his eyes, and tilting his head.