Blacksburg

The one when we all say goodbye : (Junior year)

My eyes scanned the sunlit graveyard. So many people had turned up to say goodbye to my dad, but knowing most of them I couldn't look them in the eyes, it was too hard, I had to look away.

I glanced at my aunt Vivian. The puffy red of her eyes told me she'd been crying for a while, probably all night , maybe every day night since he'd died. By her side was an older friend of my fathers, his arm was intertwined with my aunt Viv's, showing her some kind of comfort. But Mo just stared straight ahead, his face was perfectly still and serious, but his eyes showed pain, and sorrow, the bloodshot lines around his eyes showed me that he probably cried as well. As Mo turned his head slowly in my direction he gave me a small smile, basically telling me.
"Everything's gonna be okay."
But we're they?
I smiled back tilting my head downward.
"Today," the vicar said, "we bit farewell to Arthur who was a father, a brother, a friend and a son."
As the coffin was lowered into the ground, as it slowly disappeared, I found myself crumbling inside and at that time my legs felt like Jell-O, falling down to my knees .
My breath came in a gasp and my lips tightened.
"Goodbye, Dad."
I said in a whisper.
Sagging down to the ground,hunched over I brought my hands to my face, sobbing into them.
Feeling someone's arms around me helping me standing up I wiped my face.
"Come on Sweetie. I've got you."
My aunt Viv wrapped me with her arms, bringing me into a hug, pushing my face into her chest.
"Come on, I think it's time to leave."
I nodded. Pulling away taking one last look into the hole.
"Love you Dad."
And we walked away, no turning back.
When we reached the car Mo hugged us both.
"It was good Seeing you Viv."
"As always a pleasure Mo."
As we all exchanged hugs I hugged Mo extra long.
"Can't you come with us?"
"I wish Rudy Bug, but with the shop and everything."
I nodded.
"I understand, I'll miss you."
"I'll miss you even more."
He squeezed me tight.
"Drive safely you hear and Rudy don't forget call me ."
"Yes sir."
I smiled at him as he winked back walking to his truck.
Sliding into the passenger seat I sat back taking off my shoes .
*beep,beep*
I looked up waving bye to Mo as he drove away in the distance.
"Ready?"
I nodded.
"Mhm."
"Hey, look at me."
I turn my head.
"Yeah?"
"I know this is hard for you, it's hard for me but he was your father.-"
"Aunt Viv..... I'm fine, I'm just gonna miss Mo and everyone."
"I understand, I'm sure we can visit or maybe they can visit us."
I nodded.
"Let's go before we hit traffic."
She nodded and pulled away from the curb.
"Sit back and relax kiddo we've got eight hours to go."
Leaning back I turned to my side laying my head against the window.
My aunt Viv lives in Blacksburg, South Carolina, and from what she told me she still lives in the same house her and my father were raised in, the towns population is a little less than 2,000 people .Though she didn't mention my grandparents who I am to believe aren't in the picture, I didn't ask questions, it wasn't my place.

"Rudy?"
I rubbed my eyes sitting up.
"Mhm?"
"We're here sweetie, and I'm beat we can unload the car in the morning. Is the couch okay for tonight and you can get settled in tomorrow and we can go into town."
I nodded grabbing my pillow and blanket dragging myself to the front door following aunt Viv inside.
"Living rooms that way."
I nodded finding my way to the couch plopping down.
"Ahhhh."
Jumping up I screamed.
"What the-"
The light turns on and I see a women with curly blonde hair , dark eyes and a bunch of slobber on her cheek.
"Peaches what are you doing?"
"Peaches?"
"I tried to stay up but I guess that didn't work out."
"Rudy this is my roommate Peaches, Peaches this is my niece Rudy."
"Hi."
"Hello?"
There was a few moments of silence.
"Peaches Rudy has the couch tonight, I'll see y'all in the morning I'm going to bed."
"Night Viv!!"
Peaches stood up.
"Goodnight Rudy."
I walked over too the couch curling up in the blankets.
"Night."
And then the lights went out.

Waking up to the sound of heavy breathing I opened my eyes to find Peaches. Staring at me.
"What in gods name?"
"Sorry, but you looked so peaceful-."
"Please, don't ever do that again."
"Sorry."
She said walking away, as I rolled over throwing the covers over my head.
"Rudy?"
"Hmmm?"
"I already brought your stuff in so when ever you wanna settle in, everything's in your room."
"Thanks aunt Viv."
"Oh and I enrolled in school today, so you are officially a wildcat?"
"Please tell me there's no singing or dancing involved."
"What?"
"Never mind."
(High school musical....come on aunt Viv.)
"Well, I got to go to the bakery. The tours gonna have to wait till later okay."
"Mhm."
"Okay, you have my number, peaches is here need anything call me."
"Okay."
"Okay ."
And I heard the door shut.
Rolling over on my back looking up at the ceiling I saw peaches out of the corner of my eye watching me .
"Peaches."
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry."
She stood up walking into the other room as I just stared at the ceiling fan.
Thinking to myself I thought of my dad, him just smiling at me and all I did was smiled back.