Complicated

34. Mark My Words.

Two weeks after Jordan's death, his funeral was set to go. Family, friends and co-workers came to show their respects. Michelle wore a big, black sun hat and sunglasses the whole time to hide how sad she was. She was bottling it all up for the sake of her pride. Although she loved Jordan, she still wanted to be the bigger person for what he's put her through. The church was quiet with occasional coughing and sniffling. "Would anyone like to say a few words?" asked the pastor. Courtlen looked up and walked towards the podium without thought. His pastor patted Courtlen's back and left the stage. Courtlen had nothing written or planned; he just wanted to speak from the heart.

"I'm Courtlen Lee, Jordan's son. I never expected this day to come so soon but that's life. I don't think I should be up here because the last time I saw my dad, I basically cursed him out, along with my family. I never got the chance to apologize for coming across the way I did. We fought because I was mad about him trying to rule all the things I do. I didn't realized that it was because he cared about me. I used to think it was to irk me but my dad only wanted what's best. I ain't changing my mind about what I said but.. I'm sorry for not appreciating you like I should've," his voice started to fall apart and tears built up in his eyes. "I won't let you down no more. I put that on everything."

He took a quick breath and walked away from the podium; everyone in the church applauded. Courtlen sat down in between his mom and Abby; Michelle held on to his hand and Abby held on to the other.

Kiloni sat in between her mother and Chresanto; she tapped on his shoulder as she held onto her mom, "I know you haven't known him forever but can you say something too?" Loni's face was puffy and tired; she cracked a small smile, the only smile Chres has seen in probably the last month. From that, he couldn't say no.

Everyone in the church simmered down their comments when they saw Chresanto walk up to the podium.

"Who's that?"

"That's his foster kid."

"I never knew he had another son."

"I've never seen him before."

"Ya know, I heard about him having a mistress. I bet he's his, mhm."

Finally, everyone was silent. "Good morning. I'm Chresanto August. I'm actually a foster child to this family, which is why most of you have never seen me before. Like Kiloni and Courtlen, I've been taken away from my father. From the time I've know Jordan, he reminded me what it was like to have a father figure. He helped me regain that piece of happiness in my life. Even though he's gone.. he taught me something valuable." Chresanto took a deep breath to help hold in his emotions. "Sometimes, he could get on the bad side of others but that's what reminded me of my dad. He could do wrong but still manage to make his loved ones feel loved. He always meant well, even if someone didn't see it. I haven't known him for long or as well as some of you do but.. I wish I could've.." Chres turned his head to the closed casket. He tucked in his lips, pulling out his chain from under his shirt; he fiddled it in his hands and went back to his seat. Sitting back down, he didn't react; there were no tears or anything. Even that day when Jordan died, there were still no tears. In his head, he knew the feeling of losing a father figure in his life. Even if he was growing a bond for Jordan like his own dad, he knew what the pain was like. He felt that he could handle it for a second time.

. . .

After the service and dealing with multiples of mournful people, it was time to deal with Jordan's will. Michelle and the kids, along with Abby, sat back in a room, waiting for Jordan's lawyer to settle business. Since Abby's been practically "part of the family" all her life, she gets a cut too; Chresanto's technically part of their family, and tolerated, so he gets a cut as well. Someone came through the door; everyone thought it was the lawyer but it was actually Sandra, his sidechick. Sandra knew who everyone as but no one knew who she was.