Sunflower

01

"Dearly Beloved, we are here to say our final goodbyes to Parker Gordon Collins, a man who departed from this world way too soon...", the snowy-haired man said flatly, standing washboard-stiff in a black suit and tie. Mrs. Collins broke into sobs at the mention of her son while Mr. Collins rubbed her back, his stony face faltering.

As the guy droned on, Myra Leroy, focused her gaze on her shiny, black Mary-Jane's, refusing to look at her ex's casket.

She had wanted him to die after he'd dumped her, but she hadn't really meant it...

From a few chairs away sat a brooding Jordan Walker who stared sullenly at the coffin, willing Parker to jump out and declare it was all a joke. Then, he would have a big laugh over it, his mother would scold him, Jordan'd chastise human not letting his best friend onto the plan, and they'd walk off, hands in their jeans pockets, to plan the next practical joke. Just like old times.

Times that were now just memories and nothing more.

The man wrapped up his sermon, staring blankly at the considerable crowd who were all dressed in somber black and grim looks. "-And Parker shall forever be dearly missed. His memory will live on in the minds of his friends and family. Goodbye, Parker." He stepped down and with a shaky sigh, Mrs. Collins stepped up to the podium, her husband steadying her by the arm now and then.

In a grief-stricken voice, she started her speech. Person after person, it was the same thing. They'd say how meaningful he was, recount old times, take a long, hard stare at Parker's final resting place, and then make way for the next person. Myra dreaded her turn, dreaded having to stand up and speak and look at the face of the grieving Mrs. Collins whom had helped her bake a cake to surprise Parker on their one year anniversary.

Dreaded having to accept that Parker Collins was actually gone for good.