One Way Bridge

Chapter 12

Riley led Alex and I to the front of the church where we would have to talk to everyone in attendance as they told us they were 'sorry for our loss' or asked my favorite question, 'how are you holding up?'. Yes, that was sarcasm.

We stood in front of the steps, waiting for the rest of my family to join us. "That was a great speech, Emma. Your parents would be very proud of you." Riley said pulling me into another hug.

"No, my mom would have said it was an inappropriate time to make jokes and my dad would still be going on about something Jim said." Riley laughed knowing I was right.

In small groups, people came around the corner to join us. Some talked to us, giving us hugs and saying the same generic things over and over again. The worse ones were my friends from school and softball. They acted so weird around me. When the line of people ended, I made my way over to the one person I really wanted to talk to.

Michael was standing on the edge of the group congregating outside of the church. A little girl looked up at me as I approached him. "Michael," I said and he immediately pulled me into a hug.

"That was a really great speech." I smiled at his compliment.

"Is this your daughter?" I asked turning to look at the girl beside us.

"Yeah, I'm Bella!" She announced proudly.

"Bella, that means beautiful, and you definitely are." I smiled at her as she gave me a toothy grin. "You two are welcome to come to the house." I saw him start to deny my offer so I added, "please do," and he reluctantly nodded. "I better get back, thanks for coming." I smiled and walked back to Riley who I'm fairly certain didn't see who I was talking to.

"We better go back to the house now," Riley said putting his arm over my shoulders. I nodded and left his side to get my cross from where I left it on the steps. We piled back into Jenny's car and drove home. The entire way, Jenny talked about the flowers at the church. Riley agreed with her although I could tell he'd rather she just quit talking.

At home Jenny told me I should go wash my face. I looked at myself in the mirror and sure, my face was blotchy from crying, but I couldn't understand why I had to look nice. I did as was told and washed away the streaks which covered my checks before joining the growing group downstairs.

I found Michael almost immediately. I don't know where Bella was. "Hey," I said walking up to him.

"I'm really sorry, you know that, right?" He asked with his eyes pleading me to understand. I nodded unsure what else to say. "It should have been me." I looked incredulously at him. "I should have died, it was my mistake."

"No!" I spoke a little too loudly so I pulled him to the next room before continuing. "Bella needs you. My brother and I, we'll be fine. He's an adult and I'm-"

"Yeah, what about you. You still need your parents."

"That's the past; we can't change it, so why live in it."

"Because sometimes, the past is easier." We stood silent for a minute before he sighed. "Who's that glaring at me?"

I turned around to see who he was talking about. "That's Riley, my godfather."

"So that's who you're going to live with?"

I shook my head and looked down. "I don't know."

"Here," he handed me a card. "Call or text me if you ever need a father's opinion, or a friend."

"Thanks," I took the card before saying goodbye. I walked away and that's when Riley grabbed my arm.

"Do you know who that man was?" I looked down. I was guilty; he caught me.

"Yeah"

"So you know that I asked him not to come today."

"Yeah"

"How did he know where the funeral was?"

"I'm sure it was on the news."

"Yes, but how did HE know?"

"I invited him." I bit my lip. I hated upsetting Riley.

"What! After I deliberately told him not to come, you track him down and invite him?"

"He wanted to be there, and you know mom and dad would have wanted him there too!" It was low, I knew it right away, but I wanted him there, it made it easier to forgive him. I stormed away to the kitchen where Jenny found me.

"Riley was just looking for you!" She said in a too cheery voice; we just got back from her brother's funeral. Maybe it was all a front for my sake. "We need to go to the office." This was it, I had to choose where to go, and I still had no idea.

All of my aunts, uncles, grandparents, and adult cousins were gathered in the office. I took a seat next to Alex as Jenny closed the door.

"I guess the first, and most important thing we need to do is decide where Emma will be living." Riley looked at me expectantly from his seat on the other side of the desk.

I nodded and stared right at him as I spoke. "I'm going to live with Grandma King." I saw his face fall at my words. I couldn't take it; I had never seen him so...disappointed in me. I got up and left the room. Outside, I took a few deep breaths and started my search.

I don't know why they didn't get to be in the office, they had offered to take me in. Jane and Greg were talking to some of the other neighbors when I found them.

"May I have a word with you two?" I asked motioning to the other side of the room. "Thanks for offering to take me in, but I'm moving to Iowa to live with my grandma." My voice was void of emotion. I had a strange feeling as if I wasn't actually there.

"Of course, Hon'" Jane pulled me into a hug. "Good luck in Iowa." She gave me a smile and I returned it.

I had a strong urge to go to my room, but I knew Jenny would come looking for me so I stayed in the living room. A couple of my dad's friends started talking to me, and I actually enjoyed myself hearing stories about him.

It slowly grew darker, and I found myself going to the kitchen for a sandwich. Coffee was beginning to be served to the remaining guests. Riley saw me and started walking towards me, but I quickly made conversation with Sam. I asked him about California and his work until Riley was in a conversation with someone else.

I excused myself from my own conversation and went back to my parents' friends who were still taking turns telling stories. As the night grew older, the remaining guests dwindled and I feared that I would have to talk to Riley, so I went to bed before they were all gone.

Full Copyright 2013

Updated 6/16/2018