One day in Brooklyn

Chapter 26

Adrian's POV

It has been three days since the death of my dear friend. Vito's Mother has planned the memorial service and funeral for tomorrow. So now, as I get out of bed and trudge through life I have to worry about what everyone is going to say. I am not in the mood for sympathy or people's condolences and cheesy sayings about how life will go on. All I want is Vito back. I want my big brother back.

I drag my feet across the floor moping around the house. I go to the kitchen where I numbly acknowledge that my Mom is cooking something. I glance at the clock and see that it is after one in the afternoon. Mother glances at me her eyes full of sympathy and misery mixed with many other emotions.

I grab some piece of food off of the counter and munch on it. I let the food slide tastelessly down my throat. As I march back up the stairs I cross Joanne. She looks at me with eyes full of anger. Something clicks in the back of my mind, confusion?

Jo grabs my collar and pulls me into her plush room. She pushes me up against the wall. That emotion I felt earlier was definitely confusion.

"I'm DONE!" She screams in my face getting small bits of spit all over my face. "I'm sick and tired of watching you walk around like your whole world is destroyed because one kid died. Your world revolves around you! Not VITO! Yes we lost him but we are not losing you! Quit slouching and OPEN YOUR EYES. This isn't some game you are playing, we are all sitting here miserable too! We loved him TOO. Do you see me walking around in such deep depression that I don't even talk or live? NO. What happened to Adrian? What happened to my sister?" She demands yelling louder.

I shrug and close my eyes momentarily deciding what to say "She's gone." I mutter quietly trying to walk out of the room.

"No, I don't think so little miss sulk. You are going to open your eyes to the world as of right now. Do you see me? I am mourning two people. My sister and my sister's brother, I am sad too, but you and your decisions are making others even sadder. You are affecting us your family. Everything happens for a reason whether that is a good thing or a bad thing. You have to make the decision how you are going to let it change your life. Vito died for a reason, because GOD needed it to happen to form the big picture, it just happens to be a bad thing, at the moment. Ian looks at me and tells me that what you are doing is the correct way to honor Vito's life." She says looking more compassionate instead of angry,

I open my mouth to speak but words can't come out. I look at the ground ashamed and embarrassed. What am I doing? Vito would be so mad that I am treating what happened like this. Jo is right. He died, but he can live on in my heart.

"I know sweetness. I know it hurts." She says pulling me to her side and stroking my hair.

I sob into her shoulder as I reminess all of the good times I had with Vito, but along with that I respect the bad things because we wouldn't have been as close if not for every single thing that happened. When I am done she takes my hand and pulls me into my room. She lays me down into my bed and curls up beside me saying "I'm here baby girl; Jo is here to help you through this."

The visitation day

As I walk with a more, lively step through the house deciding that I have nothing to wear to a funeral I decide to go to Mother for dress help. I walk into her room and she is dressed in a black skirt and blazer with a dark navy blue shirt. I let out a whistle as I look at her outfit.

"De toute beauté," I say in French

"Merci," She says in response turning around so that I can see her whole outfit

"Encore une fois, magnifique." I say smiling causing her to blush

"Où sont vos vêtements?" She asks me