You Don't Know Me

The Funeral (Part 2)

CHAPTER 37

'Hey.' I look up from the bench that I'm sitting on to find Katie. She takes a seat next to me and asks 'too much?' I nod my head.

'So what did I miss?'

'Nothing really, your dad was still speaking when I left.'

'I'm not surprised.' She opens her mouth but then closes it again. She does this a few times before asking 'who was that woman?' 

'My step mum.'

'What?' She gasps.

 'My step mum. My dad and mum divorced and he married Andrea.'

'Wow,' she says after a moment of silence. 'Are you going to go back?' She asks curiously.

'Not yet.' I sigh, wanting this day to be over.

~~~~~~~~~~

A short while later, we see everyone walking out of the church, it's probably time to bury my mum. My classmates walk towards us and Katie stands, asking 'what's happening?'

'The burial is going to take place shortly.' Lily answers. Lily sits next to me and says 'oh by the way, the priest was saying you could say a few words then if you wanted to.'

'I don't.'

'Okay.' The conversation ends up drifting to another topic and Liz walks away randomly. Lucy looks puzzled but follows her. 'What's up with Liz?' Chris asks, while looking at Lily and she just shrugs.

'Kiera!' Andrea calls and I roll my eyes before getting up. We walk before she starts talking, 'You shouldn't have walked out like that. It was rude and I refuse to accept that sort of behavior.'

'It's not for you to accept.'

'I'd be quiet if I were you, unless you want a repeat of the other night.' My dad appears before I can even reply.

'Are you okay now?' I don’t trust my voice so I nod. 'The burial is going to take place soon, so that will give you a chance to say a few words.'

'I don't want to.'

'You can't be serious.'

'I am serious, If I wanted to say a few words, then I would have already.' 

'But you were working on a speech.' He says confusion clearly visible from his facial expression. 'So? Doesn't mean I want to share it!' I snap.

 'Okay,' he mutters. 'We're going to the grave-site now and I've arranged for all of you to ride together. Some can ride with Katie and the rest can ride with Lucy.'

'I'll go and find them then.' I walk towards we were and only Katie and Lily are still there. 'Some of the cars are going now.' Lily states and I say 'I know.'

'Who are you riding with?' Katie asks and I reply with 'you, if that's okay.'

'Yeah, of course it is. Tom and James might ride with us; I think the rest are going with Lucy.' 

'I'll go and ask them,' Lily says, leaving me and Katie alone.

 'I told Lily about Andrea.'

'I was actually wondering how to tell her, so you did me a favour,' I say and she relaxes. 

Lily returns with Tom and James and James shouts 'shotgun!' Lily elbows him and he says 'oh sorry, you can ride at the front Kiera.'

'No, it's fine.' I quickly say.

 'See its fine,' he says and Lily rolls her eyes. I take a seat in the middle row, near the window and Lily is seated next to me, followed by Tom.