Rrinkers

Chapter 33

"We are gathered here today to celebrate the life of Janice O'brien. Noticed how I did not say funeral. Because this is not a funeral; it is a celebration of an amazing life lost too soon." Everyone was looking at the pastor on the pulpit. "Janice was an amazing woman, who I had the privilege of knowing and even baptizing her two beautiful boys before they could even remember. She was the epitome of a strong, independent woman that loved others with a passion. I see that same kind of passion in both her boys. I also see the same heart of gold in them."

Zoe looked at Lucas who was sitting next to her. Seeing the pain on his face, her eyes started to tear up. Everyone was currently at the funeral for Lucas' mom.

It had been a roller coaster of a week since Zoe and Lucas had their talk and cuddle. Well, ever since that day, they've had nothing but cuddle sessions. It was nice. For a whole week straight, Zoe would go to Lucas' penthouse and they would spend the entire night together, usually in bed watching movies, eating junk food and cuddling. Lots of cuddling. Well, cuddling that was possible to do without hurting Lucas. They both enjoyed it more than they could have ever imagined.

It was nice. It was nice to come to someone that caused butterflies in your stomach. It was nice to come home to someone that saved your life. Zoe felt it. She felt how nice it was. It was as if life was suddenly worth living.

Today, the day of the funeral, was the first day that Lucas was cleared to be out of bed. After all, they waited a month to do the funeral for him to be there. They gave a week recovery time since his body had already been recovering when he was in the three week coma. He felt amazing to finally be out of the bed. Although he still insisted that he and Zoe return to sleeping in the same bed at night.

He was excited in many ways.

At the funeral, they were all sitting on the first pew in the church. It was Tyler, Adana, Logan, Rosalee, Lucas, Zoe, and Janice's best friend, Britt. The entire church was filled. There were almost 500 people. Janice was very loved. She was now the good guy.

Zoe looked at Lucas again and this time, his eyes were watery. She was shocked. She had never seen him cry before. She didn't think he was able to hide behind that hard exterior.

The words of the pastor faded away in Lucas' mind. He was thinking about his mom. The person who loved him most in the entire world. The only person who has given him unconditional love. His first love. He hated himself for ever believing his dad. He hated himself for ever letting his dad make her out to be so evil. She was an angel. He realized that too late. All along, she was there rooting for him, being supportive, and loving him with all her heart while he kicked her to curb everytime. She would have given her life for him and yet he was still unable to save her. The pain in his heart was too great. The bullet might not have killed him, but the pain just might. I love you, mom. He kept repeating to himself.

After the pastor had finished talking, he turned to Logan and Lucas, knowing that they each planned to say a few words.

Logan was the first to get up. He read the eulogy and said some nice words about his mother, crying deeply in the process. Lucas was somewhat jealous of Logan because he had gotten to spend more time with Janice. Logan was a mama's boy. Always. He was always the one to back Janice up after every fight with Emmanuel. He was the one that was always there for her while Lucas just defended his dad. Lucas was blinded by all of his dad's lies that he didn't see the halo on his mother's head. The hatred he felt for his father was beyond words. He wanted to kill him.

After fifteen minutes passed by, it was Lucas' turn to get up and say a word about his mother. So he did. He got up, went to the podium, and just stood there. All eyes were on him. All 500 pairs of eyes.