It's Complicated

Lamentation

June 20, a nice, summery day where you could just lay on the grass while turning your earwax into pudding using your earphones or have a nice stroll down a river occasionally dipping your feet on the clear cool stream or just do anything, anything but sitting on a bench, in front of a casket in a church. 

Mr. and Mrs. Michaels are in front shedding silent tears, the Clyde siblings along with Mason are at the second row and Manna can’t go because he’s in Penn State for his college application but he sent his eulogy to Hunter so he can read it.

The minister arrived, asked all to stand up to pray and sat on the side to let anyone who has to say something have room. Anna stood up first:

“I have known Jake only for a few months, but I feel like it’s been years since we’ve met. He’s a good friend, a little weird and crazy but a good one. Sorry, a great friend, the greatest that you can ever get. And I feel like nobody can ever replace him. His smile, his laugh and his attitude to his plant Craig… Nobody. So rest in peace my dearest friend. Let us see each other again in due time.”

Silence ensued after that, broken only to Mrs. Michaels and Anna’s muffled crying from their tight hug. Hunter stood up minutes later to deliver John’s message:

“Dearest friend, I know that you will never hear from me or any of us again but I apologize for not being there today. You have been a great friend and I am pretty sure that Annabelle had already mentioned much about you so it leaves me to no choice. I have never repaid your five credits at the arcade so attached at the back are the said credits. But that thing aside, you are one hell of a friend. I promise to fulfill my promise of taking care of Craig the Yellow bell for you; I will never let it die. Goodbye brother and thank you for the time.”

The whole reception is just a crying wreck now. Pass another round of minutes then more people stood up and said eulogies and last words to him. Nearing the last, Sky stood up:

“I’m not good with these things Jake so… uh, thanks for being there for me… and your taste for music had improved. So long bro and save me a nacho dispenser up there, just what we promised.”

A few smiles showed with Sky’s despite their sad eyes. The last few stood up and said what they have to say. The crowd exited with the casket leading them to the burial site then the casket is lowered, buried and blessed. The service is over, people started dissipating slowly until it’s just his parents and his friends then they left.

Hours passed and the last person to visit Jake’s grave showed up. Jaycee Parker laid a brown, utility box that held Jake’s items in the locker room next to Jake’s gravestone, knelt and cried out softly:

“I’m so sorry Jake, I really am.”