Emily's bright blue eyes pierced through the bright sunlight, looking across the cemetery towards the dark suits gathering in the distance. The funeral was beginning soon; Emily paced on ahead as her mother and brother trudged behind her, unwilling to move forward. She gently tugged their arms, leading them to her father's soon to be grave. Her mother's legs gave away every few steps and Emily supported her and guided her forward as her mother's tears trickled down her cheeks. Her brother, 12 year old Mike, gently pushed her ahead, while staring vacantly at the ground, his eyes red from tears the night before. As they approached the grave, they were received with silent whispers, as the family members took their opportunity to offer their condolences. Emily's mother was hugged by every friend, relative and acquaintance while some ruffled mike's hair and put their arm around him to show their support. Emily had a vacant expression as she stood by and waited for the funeral to begin.
As the procession commenced, Emily's mother lost her composure and broke down, while Emily silently held her hand, staring off into the distance. She hadn't shed a single tear; she never did. "Android Emily", as her cousin's often called her, was known for her indifference and lack of emotion. Some relatives were offended by her behavior; they often frowned upon her usual indifferent attitude at family occasions, but still expected her to show some sadness at her father's funeral. They never understood her, she didn't expect them to. Mike tried his best to muffle his sobs with his sleeve to no avail, and eventually burst out before the eulogy. Emily's mother was requested to speak about her late husband, but couldn't compose herself to speak so in turn Emily was asked to speak. She walked awkwardly towards the grave, and faced the crowd without expression. "He was a good father...", she mumbled, and without another word marched back to her mother's side. Awkward silence hung above the crowd for a while, broken by the priest who decided to spare the families the discomfort.
As the funeral concluded the crowd slowly thinned, while they made their way home. Emily heard whispering among her mass, she caught the words she had heard very often spoken behind her back, "shrink" and" sociopath", and knew they were talking about her. She had often been suggested to talk to a therapist, but dismissed it. No one could understand her; they treated her as if she was abnormal and had a problem. But she believed her behavior never harmed anyone, she just didn't express many emotions. For her it was a part of her personality which she saw no need to change.
At dinner that night, the table felt incomplete without the fourth member. The family ate their food in silence. As Emily finished and got up to wash her dish, her mother suddenly croaked "D-Did you not l-love your father?" Emily stopped in her tracks and turned towards her mother, whose crazed eyes were sore from hours of sobbing. "The man who raised you for 17 years, who spent most of his time taking care of you, taking you for trips, carnivals and camps... and yet, it doesn't even phase you? Not a drop of tear? How could you be so cold hearted? Did he mean nothing to you? He was your father!" She thrust the table aside and stormed out the room, her face stricken with tears. Emily stood there, unable to express herself. She proceeded to wash her dishes and then made her way to her room. She locked the door behind her, and opened her desk drawer. She took out a small locket her father had won for her in a carnival so long ago. She clenched it tightly within her fist and recalled the last words her father had told her. "Emily, when I'm gone, your mother and brother will need you to be strong, take care and be there for them. Don't let your emotions get the better of you and promise me you won't cry..."
Emily gazed out her window and whispered into the night, "I'm sorry I couldn't keep my promise... I tried my best." as a tear drop fell on her bedroom floor.
