Fallon

Chapter 20: A Dark Day For Flight

The news of Mom's passing spread through our quaint little corner of the world. Before we knew it people were dropping off casseroles, cakes, and baskets that they thought would help us while we mourned. Honestly they tasted like shit. The towns population couldn't cook to save a life. The past couple of days have been filled with "I'm sorries" and "She's in a better place". What gave people the impression that saying that was ok? I know people want to show their remorse but, still... I'd rather have my Mom here than in a casket. No matter how she treated me throughout her life she was still my Mother.

    *knock* *knock*
    "Fallon.. Aunt Tara wants to know if you're almost ready." The hushed whispers of my sister's voice carried in the quiet. Today's the day. I pulled my hair into a makeshift braid as i nodded.
    "Yeah.. Let's get this over with." None of us really wanted a funeral but, it's what Mom would've wanted. The soft foot steps of my father shuffling in the hall were barely existent. I could hear his exhausted body creep on the bed.
    "Daddy..? We have to go soon." I swung open his bedroom door, and walked in. He faced the window as rain poured from the sky. I just want this to be over.

    "Daddy.. We have to get ready. It's starting soon." Aunt Tara could be heard down stairs welcoming groups in through the door. Heels clicked on the hard wood, while oxfords and loafers shuffled across to the carpet. The house was filled with endless chatter and tears. People telling stories of Mom in hushed tones. This was Mom's last moments in this house. I know we all wanted to just be in our pajamas but, that wasn't acceptable to the strangers that lurked around. If only they knew they were intruding in Dad's eyes.

"Your mother use to hate large crowds." His soft voice stirred in the silence. His suit hung against the door frame steamed and pressed for today's festivities. It's solemn grey color coated the suit as a whole. His nice shoes laid on the floor just underneath. Grabbing the clothes from the hanger, I moved towards my father. His feet swung over the side of the bed while he watched the droplets of rain dance on the tree branches. I kneeled down, putting my hand on his knee.

    "She loved the rain," His clouded eyes watered like the sky. Dad struggled to get dressed as mournful tears escaped his eyes. He hadn't been the same since her passing. He had gone through three of five stages of grief. We were on four; depression. If I'm honest I didn't expect to miss Mom this much. She had put me on the back burner my entire life, and yet I'm saddened by her death. The dread of going down stairs grew in the pit of my stomach.

Dad shuffled to his feet and got dressed. The imposing look of despair filled his face as he glanced at his reflection. Dad's hands fidgeted as he shifted his tie into place. Taking his hand, we walked downstairs heading into the crowd of people.
    "Hey baby." Aunt Tara's arms covered me in a warm embrace as tears flowed from my cheeks.The scent of warm spiced ginger filled my nostrils as i squeezed tighter. She smelled like my mother.  Her soft touch grazed my cheek, wiping away the pain that poured from my eyes.
"Is your father coming?" I nodded as she released our hug, and kissed me on the forehead.

"I'm here lets get this over with." Dad looked dapper in his suit. His feet thudded against the wooden stairs as he rushed down. No amount of pleasantries were going to make him forget the fact that he lost his entire world days ago. Chairs flooded the empty spaces in the living room and hall as the pastor ushered people to the front. My royal purple dress stuck to my body as i walked to a foldable chair with my name on it. Music filled in holes of silence and remorseful sobs. Kassy sat next to me in a navy blue dress that flowed when she walked. My sister had never known loss of any kind.. well not like this at least.

The only other family member to pass was grandma but, that was when Kass was a tiny baby. She was far to young to comprehend the intense weight it bared on Mom. We both were if I'm honest. Kassandra's eyes were extremely puffy from crying. Her hands shook while she fidgeted. I intertwined our fingers.
"It ok Kass.." My eyes met hers as she fell into my lap sobbing. My poor sister.. My poor Father..