Fallen From Graceland

Chapter 13

*~*RICHIE POV - Three days later*~*

Richie sat in one of the hard pews nursing a glass of wine. He watched as guests filed into the funeral home and they greeted Joan with wishes of sympathy, the voices grating on his nerves like nails on a board.

They all stopped to admire the family photos on display, laughing and crying while they all told stories about Adam. He glanced from under his hat and glued his eyes onto the casket.

Today was his father's funeral and he'd rather be anywhere than here. What he wouldn't give to have David here by his side. Someone to hold his hand...someone to tell him everything would be okay.

His father. His rock. Gone forever.

The funeral home was tastefully decorated with soft music playing in the background. Bouquets of flowers surrounded Adam's casket and the murmur of hushed voices. It was a somber scene but a sense of relief washed over him.

His father was finally at peace. No more pain.

Wouldn't no more pain be nice?

People kept glancing over at him, whispering in hushed tones. He tried to ignore them, but the weight of their stares eventually became too much. He drained his glass and set it down next to him.

A man in a dark suit walked up to Richie, his expression solemn. Adam's brother and Richie's uncle, Edward. "Richie, it's so nice to see you again. Your father was a wonderful man. He'll be missed."

Richie's throat tightened as he swallowed the lump forming there. "Thanks, man."

"You take care of yourself and your mom," the man said, patting him on the shoulder before walking away.

The comforting gesture only served to highlight the emptiness inside Richie. He felt lost and adrift, like he was floating through this sea of sadness with no anchor. He had no anchor here except Ava.

He glanced over at his aunt Sophie, who was standing by the casket with a pained expression on her face. She saw him looking and made her way over, gently taking his hand in hers. "Richie, I'm so sorry. Joan said you've been here for a few days?"

"Yeah," he replied, "I uh...I got here the day before he passed."

"I'm so happy you had those last few hours with him," Sophie said with a small grim smile.

"Me too." Richie nodded and swallowed hard. He glanced around the room, his eyes landing on a photo of him and his father from a fishing trip they took last summer. The memory brought a small smile to his lips. "He was a great man," Richie whispered, his voice thick with emotion.

Sophie squeezed his hand gently. "Yes, he was. You know, he always spoke highly of you. Your Dad was so proud of your success."

"Thanks, Aunt Sophie," Richie said, feeling a warmth spread through him. He looked back at the photo, remembering the laughter and camaraderie they shared on that trip.

As he lost himself in the memory, the doors to the funeral home opened and Richie's heart sank. His Mom was being escorted in by Ava. Joan broke down at the sight of the casket and cried into Ava's shoulder.

Seeing his mother in such distress brought a lump to Richie's throat. He stood and walked over to them, wrapping his arms around his mother and whispering soothing words into her ear. Ava gave him a small smile, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

The room fell silent as they huddled together, their grief palpable. Richie felt the weight of his mother's pain and the ache in his own heart deepen. He held her tighter, wishing he could take away her sorrow.