He's not bad. He just looks like it.
-------*******-------
Riley didn't know or care about her father, until he shows up at her doorstep, and flips her life upside down.
-------*******-------
"'My name's Cody, and I belong to a father who is the he...
Grandma and I go into the emergency waiting room, and the nurse looks at us.
"Can I help you?" I nod.
"My husband and mother-in-law are in here.. Please tell me they're okay?" I worriedly look at her.
"Names?" She asks me, getting behind the desk.
"Cody and Angela Maze." I look at Grandma, who looks more worried than me.
"204." The nurse replies, and I guide Grandma down the hall. I look at my father-in-law, who looks very worried.
"Riley.." Drake calls, and I help Grandma over there.
"Thank you, dear. Honey, why are you so sad?" She speaks to Kert.
"Mom... Mom, Angela didn't make it." He sadly tells her, hugging her. I hear her cries, and my own tears start to fall. The nurse comes out, and taps my shoulder.
"Mrs.?" I turn around.
"Yes?"
"The boy wants to see you." The nurse tells me, and walks away. I enter the room, and hug Cody.
"Told you that I would survive." My face goes white.
"Uh... Um.." I stumble.
"Baby, what's wrong?" He asks me, grabbing my arm.
"I'm so sorry, love. Your, uh... Your mom didn't." He looks at me.
"Didn't what?" I wince.
"Survive." His face scrunches up, and he yells. He places his head on my lap and cries, as I try to calm him down. He holds onto one of my hands, and I look at his mother's bed, which still has the body laying in the bed.
"Cody, it'll be okay." He shakes his head.
"No, Riley, we're getting out of this. I refuse to let you die. I refuse it. You and I, we will live like normal people. No gangs, no shootings. The only risk we'd be taking is going to family gatherings. I don't want our family to die because of this." He tells me, looking up at me.
"Okay. Okay. That's what we'll do." I smile weakly, and so does he.
"Cody?" His grandma comes in, and sits on the opposite side of the bed.
"Yes, Grandma?" He answers her.
"Did I just hear you and your girl here are getting out of tradition?" She asks him, smiling.
"Yes. I don't want this life anymore." He replies, his grip on my hand tighter.
"Thank you. At least I know one bloodline is going to be safe." I smile.
"Really?" He asks, confused.
"Every grandchild of mine is in some sort of gang. I didn't want it." She tells him, looking at me.
"Can I ask you something?" I ask her.
"Of course, girl." She smiles.
"How did you make so much money?" She laughs.
"My husband was a very successful man. When he died, I got all of his money." She explains.
"Ohh." I respond. She starts to walk away, when Cody looks at me.
"Grandma..." She turns around.
"Yes, Cody?"
"We want to hold a second wedding. Once we are actually ready." She smiles. "I was going to ask if we could hold it at your house."
"Of course." She grins.
"Thanks, Grandma." She nods and walks out, leaving us alone.
*ThreeWeeks Later*
•Angela's Funeral •
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I drag my dress down a little, and fix my necklace. Cody comes behind me and fixes his tie. I smile weakly, and sigh.
"Ready?" I ask him. He shakes his head.
"I never thought I'd loose her. I never thought." He mumbles, and hugs me.
"Well, it's almost time. Wither you like it or not." He nods. We go out, and look at her body one last time. We sit next his father, and he even lays his head on my shoulder. We sit through everything, and I stand up.
"Now, Angela's daughter in law is going to sing one last time to her." The priest says to everyone, and I look at her.
"Hi, Mom... I'm sorry." I wipe a tear from my eye, and sigh.
"I know you're somewhere out there Somewhere far away I want you back I want you back My neighbors think I'm crazy But they don't understand You're all I had You're all I had
[Chorus:] At night when the stars light up my room I sit by myself talking to the moon. Trying to get to you In hopes you're on the other side talking to me too. Or am I a fool who sits alone talking to the moon?
Ohoooo...
I'm feeling like I'm famous The talk of the town They say I've gone mad Yeah, I've gone mad But they don't know what I know Cause when the sun goes down Someone's talking back Yeah, they're talking back Ohhh
[Chorus:] At night when the stars light up my room I sit by myself talking to the moon. Trying to get to you In hopes you're on the other side talking to me too. Or am I a fool who sits alone talking to the moon?
Ahh... Ahh... Ahh... Do you ever hear me calling? (Ahh... Ahh... Ahh...) Oh ohh oh oh ohhh 'Cause every night I'm talking to the moon
Still trying to get to you In hopes you're on the other side talking to me too Or am I a fool who sits alone talking to the moon?
Ohoooo...
I know you're somewhere out there Somewhere far away" I finish, and wipe my eyes. Everyone clears out to go bury her, and Drake, Kert, and Cody stay with me to look at her before they close her coffin.
"She's in a better place. I promise." I tell the boys. They nod, and get in the car. I drive the cemetery, and stay in the car.
"You aren't coming?" Cody asks.
"It's too painful after singing to her." I tell him, wincing. "Someone needs to be able to drive." He nods.
"Okay, babe." He hops out, and they leave. I sit there, listening to the music on the radio.
I lean on the steering wheel, and watch the people gather. I look away, barely keeping it together.
