She Will Be Loved

Chapter 20

"Hi, dad." I said when we picked him up. "How did it go?"

"It went nice. I think I'm really going to do this." He said and smiled at me. "I have to go back tomorrow. We talked about how it effected our family members and how it effected ourselves and how it could effect others. It really opened my eyes." He said as we drove off.

"That's good. I'm glad to hear it."

"Sophie, I'm so sorry. I really am."

"I know you are, dad. You couldn't control yourself though."

"I know, Sophie. I know."

When we got home, I wanted to talk to him.

"Dad, I want you to know something. If you don't already." I said and sat down next to him reading the newspaper.

"What's that, sweetie?"

"Do you still love mom?"

"Of course. I miss her and think about her every day."

"Do you regret that you guys got in a fight?"

"Well, of course." I nodded and we looked at each other for a moment.

"Dad, what would you say if mom died?"

"Well, Sophie. I'd be very upset."

"D-dad, I think mom died." He looked up from the newspaper.

"W-what? You think?"

"Well, I was visiting Jason's grandmother and she said that she knew my mom. She said that she died. But I don't know for sure."

"Oh." He said. He shed one tear. I kissed his forehead.

"I'm going to Paris tonight for Ryan's mom's funeral."

"Okay. I have to go tomorrow anyways to the rehab place."

"Alright. Love you, daddy." It felt good to say that.

---

I packed and before I knew it, I was in Jason's car on the way to the airport.

"Jason, why don't you like Ryan?"

He looked over at the stoplight.

"I mean, just out of curiousity." I said and smiled.

"Because he broke your heart."

"Is that really the reason?"

"Yes, it really is. I love you, Sophie. I have since I can remember. Even when I went through all of those girls. I didn't love one of them. I tried to make you jealous, but you didn't even notice me. And now that I have you, I don't know. It's something special."

Well, that was sweet, I thought to myself.

"I love you too." I realized then that it was true.

We got on the plane and I sat down next to Jason.

10 minutes into the flight, a question popped out of my mouth.

"Do you really think my mom is dead?" I asked.

"I don't know. I hope not. I would really like to meet her."

He reached over and laced his fingers through mine. I rested my head on his shoulder and fell asleep.

"Passengers, you have now arrived in Paris. Enjoy your stay!"

I woke up to the flight attendant saying that. Wow, I slept the whole flight.

I got off of the plane with Jason holding my hand. It was morning here and Ryan met up with us.

"You're going to go to the hotel and then we'll leave for the funeral when we're done getting ready. Alright?"

I nodded and we made our way to the hotel. Right when I got there, I started getting ready. Before I knew it, it was time to go to the funeral.

---

We got there and sat down in the first row. We went through the prayers thing, and then close friends and family went up to speak. Ryan went up and it was a tear jerker. He said things about how him and his mom were always so close to each other. Then, Ryan's dad went up. He said how even though they fought, he loved her. And he always would. Then, a blonde lady went up. She had a big black hat on, so you couldn't even see her face. From what I saw though, she was beautiful.

"Sarah was a beautiful girl. She had a wonderful personality and spirit. She doesn't want any of us to be sad, I can tell you that. She was always making sure everyone else felt perfect before she did. If there was anyone sad, she would go try to cheer them up. And it always worked. I remember going through a hard break up in high school. She came right over with my favorite ice cream and we watched a movie. She kept telling me that there were plenty of fish in the sea. And even though it was one of those clichés, it always seemed to make me feel better. She had a beautiful soul. She will be missed. And from this day foward, she will be loved."

I recognized that big hat. Sitting in the closet, I always used to try it on. The lady looked up. When she did, I did a double take. I stood up in the middle of the room.

"Mom?"

the end

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