Written With Love

Chapter 26: Commitment

Kimberly awoke to her aunt's loud voice telling her to get up. At last, today was the day of the funeral and afterward, she could finally confront her stepdad and go home. Kimberly got up and got dressed in a royal blue dress with some black heels. Since there was time before they left, Kimberly ate before getting in the car with her aunt and two cousins and heading off. When they arrived, they were the first who were allowed to go in since they were the immediate family. As they walked in, there was already a man standing there, a frail, pathetic man.  They continued down the aisle and for the first time since coming home, she saw her stepfather, and the two locked eyes. Instead of fear, she felt hatred which made her blood instantly boil, but before she could say anything her aunt grabbed her and pulled her to face her mom's body.

Tears once again trickled down her face as reality hit her again. This was her mom, lying there, lifeless. Kimberly grabbed her hand and said, "I'm so sorry things had to end like this Mother, but I want you to know that I forgive you". Margaret smiled before pulling Kimberly to the side and holding her as she burst into tears. Kimberly's heart was devastated once again and she didn't know how she was going to finish this since she was expected to give a speech about her mother. With the help of Margaret, Kimberly managed to compose herself and the service went on without a hitch. First, the reverend opened up with a wonder eulogy and a prayer before finally, it was her stepfather's turn.

She had to admit the man put on a good front about him treating her well and loving the family, but as Kimberly noticed, the crowd of family members didn't seem to believe a word. After he sat down, Kimberly stood up and her and her Aunt Margaret took the stage together but it was Kimberly who spoke first. Kimberly said " As most of you know, my mom...me and my mom didn't always see eye to eye. We bumped heads a lot and there were times when I thought she was a warden. Honestly, as I stand here now, I find myself wishing she'd yell at me one last time. Sure things weren't always the best at home and she was always working double shifts after her and my father split but she did it all for me"

Kimberly sighed and said"My mom was a strong resilient woman, who couldn't be broken easily, who couldn't be swayed once she set her path and even though she's departed this world, her lessons will stick with me and guide me when I raise my own family...I love you Mother". After her speech, Kimberly lost her composure yet again and this time it was her cousin Lindsey who escorted her out and held her while her mom spoke. Kimberly said"It hurts... it's not fair! I'll never see her again, I'll never get to say I'm sorry...I-I was angry but I never wanted her to go out all alone like that!". Lindsey held her tightly and tried her best to hold back her tears as well. Lindsey smiled and said, "It's not your fault, you only did what was best for yourself, and if you're going to move forward you're going to have to forgive yourself".

Kimberly nodded and said, "You're right". Lindsey sighed and said, "Looks like they're about to bring the casket out...you think you can do this or what?". Kimberly nodded and scurried over with her cousin and walked alongside her mother's casket as they rolled it out to the hearse. Finally, her, Margaret, and her two cousins lifted it into the hearse before getting into the car. Kimberly didn't join them, she instead caught an Uber home as she had enough for the day and told them she was feeling Ill. When she got home, she changed back into her regular clothes and prepared to go meet the family at the dinner. As she was headed into the kitchen, she heard the front door slam and turned around to see him standing there.

He grinned and said, "Good job putting on a front today, I almost forgot for a second what an ungrateful, worthless bitch you are. I mean look at you, you let her die all alone". Kimberly balled her fists and said, " And where were you? Out drinking like the pathetic drunk you are, my mother was way too good for the likes of you". Kimberly put her glass away and headed for the door, before a hand yanked her by her hair, pulling her to the floor. Her stepdad said," How dare you talk to your father like that". Kimberly said," You were never my family nor will you ever be, you are a sad excuse for a man, a husband, and a father".

Before Kimberly could say anything else, he punched her, knocking her into the glass china cabinet behind her. She said," I'm not scared of you anymore, you've caused me enough pain and it's time you go back to hell where you came from".He laughed before rushing her, picking her up by her neck, and pinning ing her against the wall, essentially choking her. He smiled and said " I'll tell you what, since you miss your mother so much how about I send you to her you little bitch! You can try all you want to beat me but I'm the top dog, I will always win and I think it's time you learned a worthless whore's place".