Pieces

Chapter 19

Rebecca stayed close to my side as our guests gave Marcus and I their condolences. I was glad for it. Some people made a fuss over having a celebrity there, but she brushed them off and kept ahold of my hand.

I was becoming overwhelmed and Marcus was really trying with the guests, but I could tell that it was too much for him as well. I moved to stand with him, with Rebecca following and wrapped my hand around his upper arm. He gave me a "thank you" look and smiled. I led him to the garden and we sat on the bench my mum loved and relaxed.

"I just wish this part would be over. I can't breathe in there," Marcus said.

"I know. I can wrap it up if you like." I said back.

"No, this is just as much for them. Let's just sit here for a bit." He sat back and said.

I nodded and sat back with him.
Rebecca sat on the other side of me and put her hand in mine. She hasn't said more than 10 words to anyone since we got here. I think she may be overwhelmed as well.

Eventually, we went back inside and mingled until the last guest left. We were exhausted and flopped on the couch together. I looked at Rebecca. My beautiful Rebecca. In all the chaos, I couldn't even process the fact that she was actually here with me. She turned to look at me too and smiled sweetly.

"Thank you," I simply said.

She reached over and took my hand, "You're welcome. I got here as soon as I could, I'm sorry it was late."

"You weren't late." I said.

Marcus spoke up, "I appreciate your being here as well. It's good to see you again, Rebecca. I'm sorry it had to be under these circumstances."

"Thank you, Marcus. It's good to see you too." She smiled.

"I'm going to go clean up the kitchen, then lay down, if that's ok." He said, looking at me.

"I can take care of the cleaning, just go relax." I said.

"Are you sure?" He asked.

Rebecca spoke up, "Yeah, I'll help her."

"Thank you, both." He said, then kissed us both on the head and went upstairs.

I stood to clean the kitchen and Rebecca followed. I wrapped the leftovers and fit what I could in the refrigerator, whilst Rebecca started the dishes. It was a mess in there. Eventually, I moved to help her with the dishes, by rinsing them and putting them in the drainer after she washed them.

"Like old times, yeah?" Rebecca mumbled.

I chuckled, "Like really old times. We haven't had to hand wash a sink full of dishes since we were teenagers and living in that tiny, dingy flat."

"Those were my favourite times." She said with a hint of sadness.

"Me too." I said quietly.

We finished the dishes in silence, then sat out in the garden afterwards. "How are you really, Rebecca?" I asked.

"Depends on the day, I suppose. I have a dog now, Raymond. He's a pug and the most perfect boy in the world." She said with a smile.

"A dog? You never wanted a dog before. If I remember right, you said they smell and leave hair everywhere." I said.

"Well, I wasn't wrong, he smells sometimes and leaves hair everywhere, but I love him and I kind of like it. It makes me smile when I randomly find his hair on my clothes, when he's not with me." She replied back.

I laughed, "Can I see him?"

She pulled her phone out and scrolled through her photos. "I thought you would never ask."