My hand fumbled with my tie..... I was still in a state shock, like how the fuck did this happen? How the fuck did I not recognize the signs..... I looked in the mirror and tried to come to terms with what today was, my dad's funer.... I couldn't even think of the word because it all seemed unreal. That night played in the back of my head, I remember the explosion.... and the hour after it happened, when the realization first hit me the first thing that came to my mind was getting to my youngest brother, Trinity.... he needed to hear this from me and no one else but the news of what happened spread like wildfire and Trinity found out from some random hoe, calling to see how much money he was set to inherit. I couldn't describe how my family took it because there were no words, in my eyes my dad was invincible and now.... it felt like my entire family was vulnerable. I looked at myself in the mirror and shook my head, I needed to get this day over and done with so that I could get to what I really wanted to do which was get revenge.
"Saint......" Mario said and that was all I needed to hear to be able to put on this brave face, I knew the person responsible would be watching this and I didn't want to give off any signs of weakness. "Here....." Mario said walking over to me and helping me with my tie. "Toussaint you know I'm going to be by your side the entire way...."
"And I 'preciate it BabyBoy.... but I'm good, you won't see any tears from me until the person or people responsible are all dead. Let's just get through today and worry about all that emotional shyt later." I said kissing the tips of his fingers, I grabbed his hand and walked downstairs; most of my family was here but my eyes zeroed in on my little brother... Trinity sat in the corner with his face buried in his hands and I swear that almost broke me but I held firm and walked over to him.
"I can't do it Saint....." Trinity said quietly and it hurt me to see him like this but I knew he had to be there, something my father said echoed in my head 'Saint.... look after your brothers and sister', I needed to step up as the oldest and act like the head of the family.
"Trinity.... wipe your eyes and stand up, you're a Prater don't let them niggas see you like this. If you need to cry do that shyt in private but for right now we need to show the world that we're standing tall." I said putting my hand on his shoulder. "I'll give you a couple minutes to get yourself together." I walked around and committed to memory the looks of sorrow on each and every member of my families face that fueled my anger and resolve.....
I didn't really remember the funeral, it was mostly a blur..... Uncle Khalil and Uncle Gonzo delivered the joint eulogy, Lafayette sang my father's favorite song, I remember getting up and speaking but I really didn't remember what I said but as I returned to my seat I remember that everyone was crying. I sat in my seat, discreetly looking around wondering if the person behind this was sitting among us; JD sat with his head on Julio's shoulder.... from what I understood JD lost it when he found out, I glanced over at Darion who was sitting next to Odion, our eyes met and he knew what he had to do. Finally, I looked at Yuri...... who was staring so hard at the casket that you'd think he was waiting for my father to emerge and tell us this was all a joke... but I knew it wasn't.
"Saint, Zyshaun would've been proud of that speech you gave." Uncle Khalil said walking over to me as people filed out of the cemetery. "Come by the house a little later I got something for you, something your dad wanted you to have." Uncle Khalil said hugging me.
"Where are we meeting up at?" I asked looking around.
"Noah's house." Uncle Khalil said and I nodded.
"Aight well I gotta stop by my dad's place then I'll be over there... make sure you put me up a plate." I said hugging him again. "Ayy No' you mind if Mario rides with you I gotta go handle something real quick." I said and Noah nodded then smirked. "What's so funny?" I asked.
