The Last Great Seduction

Chapter Twenty Nine

"You okay Ms. B?" I asked Ms. Brenda. We were all standing in her living room. I felt awkward being around her family, but Ms. B insisted that I come to the funeral and even ride with the family. She also forced my mother to come, since my mother was just like a mother to Ashley, as well. Because my mother had to come, that meant the kids had to, as well.

"I'm fine, baby, just ready for the limo to come."

I smiled faintly at her and looked over to my mother. She was wearing we sunglasses right now, which was something that I knew that I'd be doing later on. I didn't like people seeing me cry, but I knew that this was going to be emotional for me. I had read majority of Ashley's letters, and I had forgiven her. That was probably the biggest step in my life.

"Limo's here!" Someone called out.

I immediately began helping Ms. B to our limo. She had practically begged for a separate limo for herself, me and my family. It was after she told me that people judged her daughter after she was sentenced. In her mind, everyone was only there because of her and not Ashley.

The ride to the church was very nerve wrecking. It was practically silent. This was the moment. The limo came to its final stop and I knew that it was time for it to finally happen. The door swung open and we all got out.

Melody was staying very close to her grandmother. I really didn't think she knew what today truly was and what it meant. I didn't know the nature of her relationship with her mother, but it couldn't be a solid one since Ashley was in jail. Daniel and Julian were my mother's responsibility for right now, while I was going to make sure that Ms. Brenda was okay.

"Don't you get up in here and start all that crying, now, Melanie," Ms. B chastised.

I couldn't help but laugh at that. We all went inside and when I looked up, I think my whole body froze.

Seeing that body there just didn't sit right with me.

Two officers by his side, Jermaine sat in the middle row of the church. He looked back at the family members entering and it was as though all eyes were on me. I could feel Ms. B squeezing my hand as Jermaine and I looked at one another.

"It'll be okay, sweetie," Ms. B whispered to me as we went to the front row.

"Why is he here?" I asked her once we sat down.

"I have no idea. But he's not the focus today. Don't give that man that satisfaction."

I nodded my head and looked down at Julian. I couldn't help but feel a certain way now that Jermaine was in the same room as his son. He hasn't seen him since he was two, and I planned to keep it that way. Julian didn't remember his father, therefore Jermaine should just fall back. But I was more curious to how Jermaine could want Ashley dead and then show up at her funeral.

The funeral had started and when I tell you it was emotional. There were so many things people talked about that I had missed out on. The birth of her daughter, Chanel, seemed like everyone's favorite moment to talk about. Knowing that I missed an important moment like that had me sobbing on that front row. I literally went through her entire pregnancy with her, but she was very close to her due date when my wedding happened.

Ms. B kept her composure. She didn't cry, when I took as being strong. Honestly, I think Ms. B prepared herself for this day. When we were in high school, she'd always tell us about these stories she'd heard about jail and we'd just laugh at her and tell her we were never going.

The funeral was over, but like all families – people wanted to briefly stay behind. I was walking with Ms. B when Jermaine called my name. I stopped, not wanting to make a scene.