Ghost Story

Two

I refused to start crying until the funeral. I was grateful that Jonny had agreed to come with me, but I felt guilty for dragging him there. He met Guy one time, and now I was dragging him to his funeral. Not the best way to start a friendship, I guess.

Jonny drove. I was still suffering emotional trauma from the accident, and I hadn't driven myself or anyone else since then. I'd had my license temporarily revoked anyway.

I just stared out the window, thinking about what I would say in Guy's behalf. I hadn't prepared anything, because I felt it unfair to prepare a big speech from Guy without just listening to my heart. He deserved to hear what was in my heart, not what was on a stupid piece of paper.

"Are you ok?" Jonny asked, putting his hand on my leg.

I smiled at him and nodded. He had been staying with me since I invited him over, his claim being that he never had anyone to hang out with. I don't really know what I would call us. Not boyfriends, it was far too early for that. Maybe we were friends with benefits, or two blokes with a silly crush on each other. I don't know. All I knew was that I enjoyed his company and I didn't want him to leave me yet. Too much loss had occured in my life. No way I was ready for another one.

He smiled at me and patted my leg. I turned back to look out the window, paying close attention to the sway of the trees as a storm blew in.

When we got there, I was greeted sadly by my mum and dad, who had come to love Guy like their own son. "Hi, sweetie," Mum greeted, kissing my cheek and pulling me into a hug. She was wearing a long, black dress that ended just above her ankles, smooth like silk with black lace that began at her chest and snaked its way up over her shoulders and down her back. "How are you?"

I sighed. "I've had better days, that's for sure."

She rubbed my hair and sighed. "I know, honey. I'm so sorry."

Jonny pursed his lips, and I looked at him apologetically. "Mum and Dad, this is my friend, Jonny."

Mum smiled at Jonny and Dad shook his hand. "It's good of you to come, Jonny," Dad told him.

Jonny smiled his sweet smile at him. "That's what friends are for," he replied, winking at me.

I smiled back and turned back to my parents. "He's been staying with me at Al's since a few days after the accident."

"You seem like a sweet young bloke, Jonny," Dad said, and both Jonny and I blushed.

"Dad, leave him alone," I said with a small giggle.

Dad smiled at me. "Is there something wrong with compliments, Chris?"

I just rolled my eyes. "Where am I supposed to go?"

He frowned again. "I believe the pastor knows where you should go," he replied.

I nodded solemnly and took Jonny's hand, going to find the pastor. He was standing at the front of the room, scanning the crowd, and I carefully walked up to him. I had always been afraid of priests and pastors, as I'd been questioning my religion (is that a thing?) since I was 15. I thought that they would judge me for not being a firm believer in God, throw holy water at me and tell me that I was going to Hell. This pastor, however, had a bald head and small, jovial face with a solemn smile, as if it were his first ever funeral.

"Uh... hello, sir," I began, letting go of Jonny's hand to avoid judgment. The pastor looked to me and gave me a smile. "I'm uh... giving Guy's eulogy today. Is there a certain place that I'm supposed to go?"

The man hummed and looked at his paperwork. "You're Chris Martin?" He asked, and I nodded. "You are required in the meeting room for the reading of the will."