Searching For A Rainbow

SIXTEEN-Carson

It was the day my mother was to be buried.

I stood in front of the closed casket in a black, lacy dress, my blonde hair neatly straightened. The only makeup I wore was to cover the fresh bruise on my cheek, my eyes without my normal mascara and eyeliner.

I glanced over at my father, who was greeting some of the people who had come to the funeral. He wore a suit and his face was clean-shaven- he had cleaned up more than I had ever seen him, but he still smelled of whiskey and cigarettes. He was putting on the face of a loving, grieving husband.

Only 17 people, aside from us, had shown up to the funeral. My mom had not gotten out much due to my father's tyranny, but had known a few people around town, such as the man who owned the grocery store and the pastor of the church. It showed that, as little as she got out, she made friends whenever she did.

I traced the edge of the casket softly with my finger, turning around when I heard the door of the church open.

Sunlight streamed in through the open double doors, and out of the light stepped none other than Will Bennett, like the guardian angel I didn't ask for.

In a black dress shirt and khaki-colored dress pants, he looked much more grown-up than the boyish look I was used to him having.

He made his way to me.

"What are you doing here?" I said to him in a hushed tone.

"I saw her obituary and thought you might need some company," he answered.

"I didn't ask you to come, Will," I said.

"Sometimes we don't ask for the things we need," Will said with a smirk on his face.

Just then, my father made his way over. Exactly what I was afraid of.

"Who's this?" he asked, his friendly voice on.

"Will Bennett, sir, Carson's friend," he reached out to shake my father's hand, "It's nice to meet you."