Kissing Mr. Bradley

Chapter 26

Everyone who knew Bronwyn arrived at the cemetery in a sea of black.

The rain from the night before carried over to the next morning. The heavy drops landed on the white marble casket where Bronwyn would forever be. Beside the casket was a gold framed headshot of her. In the portrait she wasn't smiling but she was beautiful with her hair over her shoulder and her sparkling eyes. It was all in true Bronwyn fashion.

Lavender petals scattered about the cemetery. Guests held large bouquets of flowers in various types and colors.

The guests made it to their seats with tear stained cheeks before the service began.

Ethan insisted that I sit in the front row with Ezra and his mother. I declined his invitation and stood near a willow tree that dripped with raindrops as if it were crying on my shoulder. I couldn't face the grief-stricken Donna who had both of her sons on either side of her as a crutch. Even her shades couldn't hide the fallen tears from her eyes along with the dark streaks of her mascara. It took me back to the night of Bronwyn's accident, when her mother was inconsolable. She was devastated to see her daughter in such despair and wanted to know who had done it. I could still hear the screams of a grieving mother and the image of a deceased Bronwyn and because of it, I could hardly sleep at night. Bronwyn was right along. The Black Tie Gala would be one of the most memorable events that no one would forget.

Katherine and her parents sat in the second row, right behind the Bradley's. She stared at the back of her ex-fiancé's head and I felt sorry for her as well. She was going through her own end of a chapter and everybody knew about it. Bronwyn's death was the moment but Katherine's personal life would be on full display when all was said and done.

Maudie was also there, wiping away the tears that wouldn't stop flowing despite her own personal feelings for Bronwyn. Maudie was a sweet soul. She would never wish ill on anyone, including Bronwyn Bradley.

The service began with a sermon from the pastor and his own condolences to the Bradley family who he had a close relationship with. He had known the Bradley's since Bronwyn was just a baby. He choked up during his own shared memories as Donna whimpered into the arms of her sons, wailing to the clouds in the gloomy sky.

As the service came to a finale, the pastor asked for Bronwyn's family and friends to say their last goodbyes. This was the most heart wrenching moment of all.

The Bradley's stood together as one and carefully made their way to the casket.

It was hard to see how distraught they all were, especially Donna who had sprawled her body on top of her daughter's casket, pouring her heart out.

"Why?" she asked, her voice screaming to the heavens. "Why did they take my baby?"

The pastor helped Donna along as the boys stood side by side, looking down at what was left of their youngest sibling. They were given a single rose and placed it on top of the casket.

I stayed where I was, overhearing the whispered conversation of the guests beside me.

"Poor Donna," one woman said as she clicked her tongue. "I can't imagine losing one of my own."

"And in the matter that it happened," the other woman added. "Bronwyn was murdered."

"Are you sure?" the woman asked. "I heard it was a suicide."

"No," the other woman said surely. "Bronwyn Bradley was indeed murdered."

I couldn't listen to the theories anymore.

Ethan was the first person I saw as Ezra helped his weak mother into the car.

"Thank you for coming," he said. "Do you need a ride home?"