Searching For A Rainbow

SEVENTEEN-Will

She looked beautiful.

Her hair was neatly straightened and she wore a black dress that hugged her curves.

Her father was dressed nicely but smelled slightly of cigarettes and alcohol. I wouldn't have noticed if I hadn't been paying close attention.

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

"Ah, a friend, are you?" he chuckled in an exaggerated manner and slapped me on the shoulder, "Don't meet many of those."

Something about his demeanor made me uncomfortable and I wasn't sure how to react to him.

Luckily I was saved as the service began and we took seats, me sitting next to Carson in the front pew, her father on the other side of her. He put his arm around her and squeezed her shoulder, and she seemed to squirm in her seat.

Eventually her father stood up and walked to the podium to say something about his late wife.

"My wife was..." he paused, "the love of my life." He stopped again and his eyes scanned the audience, then stopped to look at the closed casket. He then began again, talking about his wife and how special she was. He wiped his eyes periodically as he spoke.

"Unfortunately, she was sick," he continued, "and there was nothing I could do for her."

He appeared to be choked up at this point, and his voice broke as he spoke.

"I just hope she's happier now," he appeared to be too choked up to continue speaking now and he went to sit down in his seat.

Then Carson stood up and made her way to the front.

"My mother was a strong woman. She was my protector. She was always there for me when I needed her," Carson appeared strong standing up there, talking about her mother.

"She was kind. She was gentle. And she was brave," Carson paused, "She never showed any signs of mental illness. That's why I'm having such a hard time understanding what happened."

Carson's father tensed up beside me at her words. At the same time, I began to see the cracks in Carson's facade. She was beginning to break down.

"I just don't know why she would leave me," Carson's said just barely loud enough for those sitting in the front row to hear. Then her hands went to her face and she started to hyperventilate before running down the aisle of the church and out the large double doors. I got up and ran after her.