Yours, Eternally(2015 Revision)

Chapter Nineteen

Thursday came crashing at my door, bringing a tsunami-like storm with it to add to the dread and gloom of the day. I was digging through my closet, trying to find proper attire for the wake and funeral, because as crazy as it seemed, I wanted to look good for Matt. I eventually chose a pair of heather gray trouser pants and a flowing black silk blouse with black sling back pumps and for the funeral, I chose a simple black pencil skirt styled dress, and hung both selections on the back of my door so they wouldn't wrinkle. I made my way over to my vanity mirror to run a brush through my hair and put on make-up, seeing the last couple days were noticeable in my face with bags under my eyes, and blotchy, puffy skin from crying. I caked concealer under my eyes and used a thick foundation to cover the the redness of my face before throwing on some mascara. The mirror reflected a bit of improvement, but not much.

While dressing, Kylie and I argued with each other across the hallway between our bedrooms for close to an hour about my driving to the wake.

“I just don’t think you should be driving is all I am saying. You are distraught and your head is all over the place.” She popped her head into my room before she made her way to the bathroom. “Stop being so damned stubborn about it.

“I'm driving. Now let’s stop arguing and finish up before we're late.” I needed to focus on something other than the days ahead, and driving called for my undivided attention. Despite where we were going, a drive with people might have been what I needed to clear my head for a short time.

Vicky arrived just before one thirty to make our trip into Pennsylvania to Buckingham, where the funeral home was located. She rang the doorbell as we were making our way downstairs, still bickering. I swung open the door. “Hi.” Vicky said quietly.

“Hey,” I replied, showing her in.

Tyler emerged into the living room a moment later.

“Ready?”

They all nodded in agreement, and we made our way out, and I locked the front door behind me. The four of us loaded into my Acura; Vicky sat next to me up front, while Kylie and Tyler slid into the backseat. A short time later, we were driving through Lambertville, and merged onto Route 202 South heading toward the Pennsylvania border, where Matt took his last breath. Luckily, the drive was short, because it was quiet one. Kylie was still annoyed with me about driving and Tyler just didn't get involved; he sat in the backseat with his head turned out the window. Vicky, feeling the tension, sat quietly, staring straight ahead.

I tightened my grip on the steering wheel and zoned out when, unexpectedly, I began to tremble and my stomach turned. My hands turned to ice although they were clammy. Out of nowhere, I saw a red blur coming towards us, spinning out of control; and it was going to collide into us.

I snapped out of my vision terror strickened as Vicky yelled and snapped her fingers in my face. “Addison, what’s wrong with you?” My three passengers were leaning over toward me, gawking wide-eyed as I gripped the steering wheel, white-knuckled. I looked at my surroundings to see we were pulled over onto the shoulder of the road.

Temporarily speechless, I leaned my head back against the head searching for an answer. My mouth was dry and words formed, coming out of my mouth raspy. “We were going to collide with whatever that was coming at us.”

“What are you talking about? There was nothing there. You freaked out and pulled over,” Kylie spoke up from the backseat, her words condescending. “See, I told you not to drive.”

“Shut-up, Kylie!” I screamed, looking at her through the glass of the rear-view mirror, in disbelief of myself. I've never hollered at her like that before. Vicky and Tyler looked at me in shock, but remained quiet in their seats.