It's Not How You Start, It's How You Finish

Chapter 2

We had just got back from the attorney's office regarding daddy's will. He pretty much left everything to mom but wanted to make sure he had the funeral he thought he'd like. He requested to be buried and had bought a plot where him and mom could be together forever. The plot and the potential headstone were already paid for in full which mom was relieved to hear. He also requested if possible to have a small memorial and gathering at the house afterwards. The only thing daddy didn't realize was the impact he had not only on his football players, new and old, but on the community. Mom, Jay and I made the decision to ignore that request of his.

We were currently silent as we rode in the car to the mortuary where his body was. We were going to make arrangements for his memorial service and to let them know our plans for daddy's burial. The high school offered to let us use the football field for the funeral since it is end of August and the gym (with air conditioning) for the gathering afterwards. We just needed to get the mortuary the outfit daddy would have wanted and pick out a casket.

While in the mortuary mom took over talking with the funeral director who was taking diligent notes. Jay's phone went off multiple times. I looked over his shoulder and saw a couple times it was from Meredith but then a few times I couldn't see the name that lit up on his home screen. Mom was listing the pall bearers to the funeral director and I snapped out of my thoughts when she mentioned a name I didn't think I would hear.

" the last pall bearer will be Rob Gronkowski. He offered and said he will try to make it in time for the service." Mom told him. I know Jay, dad's youngest brother uncle Shawn, his two older brothers Dan and William, and the assistant head coach Frank Johnson but I never imagines Rob would decide to come. I mean he is pretty busy right now for preseason football. He probably doesn't have a whole lot of time. My heart was beating fast. I only ever thought of Rob when I was remembering the past and sometimes it really made me angry how cruel he could be. He broke my heart and we never were together. But the thought of seeing him again made me anxious. I wonder if that was who Jay was texting when I couldn't figure out the name on the screen.

We settled for August 25th at 11am for the memorial service which was just three days from now.My mom arranged for my brother and I to write speeches and for dads oldest brother Dan to deliver the eulogy. I had my work cut out for me wanted to nail my speech to honor my daddy one last time. We asked on the death notice that in lieu of flowers, they make a donation to this wonderful local organization that gives a college scholarship to a child born with a birth defect. It was one of dads wishes because they lost a baby late in moms pregnancy due to a birth defect. They never got a proper diagnosis for the baby, who would have been my little sister, so they generalized it. Mom helped the organization with fundraising for the scholarship and so did dad in his free time.

The next couples days were a blur. I had finished writing my speech for daddy's memorial. It took longer than usually because of all the emotions ties to it but it's finished. I hadn't packed anything to wear so I went shopping for a dress and shoes. Jay needed a suit because like me he didn't pack something nice to wear either and all of daddy's old suits wouldn't fit him. Jay was a good three inches taller and a heck of a lot thinner as well. Daddy was not fat by any means but he was just a bulkier guy. Jay and I went to the mall and he got his suit first. He picked out a very nice navy blue shirt. It was dads favorite color. So when we went to the dress shop, I also found a navy blue dress to wear. I went with a halter style that came just below the knee. The back of it was semi sexy as it was completely open. I settled with silver pumps for shoes. Jay tried to talk me out of buying that dress but being the little sister that I am, it made me want to buy it even more

" Sam, you know Rob will be there. I don't need him drooling over you the whole time." Jay said as he snickered behind my back.

" Jay, I am 25 years old. Plus the last time I saw Rob he humiliated me in front of all of your old teammates. I highly doubt he is going to drool over me. I mean come on. I look like an overworked nurse, I haven't colored my hair in months. Plus doesn't Rob go for the beach blonde sorority bimbos? I don't think this mop of brown hair will catch his eye at all. You are safe brother" I say. I sarcastically pat him on the shoulder as we walked away from the cashier.