Filling your Daddy's Shoes

Chapter 11: A Funeral

Shane sat in the chair in the snow. He looked at his Dad's coffin and He started crying. There were Army Rangers there.

"I'm sorry for your loss." said one of them.
Shane got up and shook their hand.
The ceremony started.

Shane walked up and he had to give a speech.

"My Dad, He was one of the best. He raised me when everyone else failed. Dad,You'll always be my hero. And You'll always be a hero to this country. I will miss you. Take care in Heaven."

Shane sat down and Jay walked up.
"Kyle, He was my Best Friend, my partner in crime. We have pretty much been through everything together. We got to live our childhood dream. We got to be the Heroes. Kyle,I'll miss you bro. It's been a good run with you. I'll stay here and I'll raise Shane. I love you Kyle. I love you Shane."

"Attention!" The Rangers saluted

One of the Rangers walked over to Shane and handed him a Folded up flag. But they also gave him something else.

"Here's your Dad's dog tags. Keep 'em. We know how much he'd want you to have them."

"T-Thank you."

Shane still had tears falling down his face. He held the flag with honor and respect. He got into the car and looked at his Dad's coffin.

"Shane,It'll be ok." Kevin gave him a big hug.

Jay left Shane with Kevin and Erin,while He had to go meet with the lawyer.

"Hi Mr. Gilmore." Jay shook his hand.

"I'm sorry for your loss."

The lawyer started reading the Will. In the middle Jay noticed his name.

"Excuse me? But What do I get?"

The lawyer looked by his name.

"Mr. Halstead,You are the legal guardian of Shane Michael James if Kyle ever dies." Those words repeated in his head over and over again.

"Kyle,left me guardian of his son."

"Yes."

"Uh,Mr. Gilmore. Don't sign any papers with Mr. Halstead. A Miss Tony, is here. She said she needs to talk to you."

Jay heard the name Tony and it was familiar like he's heard it before. Shane's Mom walked in and sat in the chair next to Jay.

"Brittany,What are you doing here?"

"The State called me and said I have to come raise my son. So I drove to the Lawyer's place and I met you again. What are you doing here?"

"I'm reading over the will. Kyle left me as legal guardian of Shane. Technically you can't raise him. Because once I sign these papers. I'm legal guardian."

"Mr. Gilmore,Can she do this?" asked Jay

"She can,but I'm pretty sure if She left Shane the first time then Why would she wanna raise him now? And Do you really think Shane being 13 is going to go home and live with someone he just met? I don't. Give him to Mr. Halstead. He's been around him his whole life. He's raised him."

"But I'm his Mom!" His Mom wouldn't let it go.

"He hasn't even met you yet. You think He's going to want to go home with you? He's been knowing me as his Uncle for 13 years. I helped raise him. You haven't done anything."

"Jay, you have always been a dick. I knew you have never changed."

"Really? Then How come I have a fianceé who loves me very much and who loves your son very much. Mr. Gilmore, I have no problem raising Shane. I already do it now. What's the difference."
"Shane,Are you ok?" asked Erin

"I guess so. I'm still kinda shocked."

Shane fooled with the dog tags in his hand. He looked down at his Dad's name. A tear shred from his face.

After Jay met with the lawyer He drove to a bar. He sat down on the stool and ordered a beer.

"Where is Uncle Jay?"

"Shane,I guess He's still meeting with the lawyer."

Shane walked into his room and sat on the bed. He held onto the dog tags.

Erin decided to call Jay

"Jay,Where are you? Shane needs someone and that someone is you."

"Erin,I'll be home in a little bit. I just went to a bar."

"Damn it Jay. Get home. I know where this is going for you. Get home. Shane needs you to be there for him."

"Erin,I can barely look at him. He just reminds me so much of Kyle."

"Jay,I know. I know how hard it is to look at them. You just gotta stay strong for Shane. He needs a father figure in his life. And that needs to be you. I promise, this pain you are feeling it gets better Jay. You need to stay strong. Come home. Are you forgetting about Gracie? Jay she needs a parent in her life. You can't give up."

"He just gave up on me. He just gave it all away. I can't believe him. He promised if anything happened he'd been the one to take care of me. Erin,He just gave up. He's not the only one who lost something. I lost my Dad. He was my hero. I lost him. He shouldn't just give up on me and you. It's not fair. Why can't he understand that He's not the only one who lost someone."

"Shane,Come see bud." said Kevin

Shane walked over to Kevin and sat next to him.

"it's gonna be ok Shane."