Heaven Isn't Too Far Away After All.

Chapter 19 | Dirty little secret

Waverly's point of view-

The days following the loss of Nicole's grandma were sad and gloomy. Nicole had to go back to work as did I, making sure to stop in and see her as often as I could.

I know Nicole has been dreading today, today is the funeral. Nicole tried telling me that I didn't have to go, but I wanted to. It's in purgatory at the cemetery, Nicole's mom is going to be there and I'm actually really excited to meet her.

It's 5 p.m. when Nicole pulls up in front of the house. I'm wearing a black dress with sleeves that go a little past my elbows, then I opted for black flats. To top it off I put a black sun hat on.

When I walk out of the house Nicole is leaning against her car in dark grey slacks, a black trench coat with a black long sleeve underneath it.

On the ride to the funeral Nicole tells me who's going to be there. She doesn't have much family except for a few cousins, her mom and her brother. When I tell Nicole how excited I am to meet her mother, she doesn't say anything, just keeps her eyes plastered on the road.

Pulling up to the funeral I see that there's only about fifteen people here. I spot who I think to be Nicole's little brother, I've only met him once. Next to his side is Nicole's mother, I know this because her red hair and Nicole has the same dimples. I reach out for Nicole's hand and she pushes it away. It's probably just her nerves.

Her mom makes her way towards us, Axel getting to us first. Nicole leans down a ways and he gives her a hug, he then walks over and gives me one too. Cute kid.

Nicole's mother is in hand shaking distance now, my stomach turns.

Reaching my hand the woman shakes it.

"Waverly." I smile warmly at her.

"Debby." She says back. "So you must be Nicole's friend. I hope you're a good friend to my wonderful daughter.

Friend? "I'm her—"

Nicole cuts me off. "Yes mom she's a great friend."

Nicole avoids looking at me the rest of the time we're at the funeral. My blood is steaming by the time get back in the car.

I cross my arms. "What was that about?"

She keeps her head down. "Waverly, please not right now."

Her words go in through one ear and right out the other. "You haven't told your mom about me?"

Nicole sighs. "You're not going to let this go are you."

"Not until you explain."

She puts the key in the ignition and starts the car up.

A few minutes of silence go on before she finally says something.

"Of course I've told my mom about you."

"Oh yeah, like how great of a friend I am to you?" I add extra emphasis to the word "friend".

She hesitated. "I wouldn't expect you to understand Waverly."

"Try me." I say coldly.

"My mom is many things. She's a great cook, she's a good listener, she's a good piano player. But out of all the things she is, supportive of who I date is not one of them."

I narrow my eyebrows. "And you're just now telling me this? You didn't think it'd be a good idea to inform me on the fact that I'm a secret?"

"Telling you sooner wouldn't have made a difference. You have a right to be upset, but that doesn't change the fact that my mom can't know."

"It wouldn't have made a difference?? We could've fought through it together like couples are supposed to. If I was important to you her opinion wouldn't matter."

"Don't say that." Her voice cracks, "You are important to me Waverly, you know that."

"Obviously not important enough." I sneered.

She grips the steering wheel tighter. "This is why I said you wouldn't understand. You don't know what it's like to be looked down on because of your sexuality. When my mom found out that I was dating a girl in high school she made me switch schools and told the other girls parents. If my mom found out that we were a couple, she would light my world on fire."

"Nicole you are twenty-two years old. What's your mom going to do? Tell you she's disappointed in you?"

"Most likely, yes. I'd be lucky if that's all that she says." She replies with a hint of anger in her voice.

We pull onto the homestead driveway.

"Where does that leave us Nicole?"

She finally looks at me and when she does I see how much this hurts her, but I won't give in. I have every right to be upset.

"I'm sorry Nicole but being kept a secret isn't what I had in mind when I fell for you."

I don't bother telling Nicole bye and storm into the house. Wynonna is making a sandwich when I make my way to the staircase.

"Hey baby girl, everything okay?"

"Just peachy." I holler.

Right as I step foot into my bedroom I pull my clothes off and replace them with sweat pants and a hoodie.

My phone vibrates. It's a text from Nicole.

I'm leaving tomorrow to go pack up everything in Nanna's house. I won't be back for five days. I love you Waverly.

I turn my phone off and make my way back downstairs. I need a drink and my favorite drunk is home.

I spot a bottle of wild turkey on the counter. Perfect.

I find Wynonna in the living room, setting down the bottle and two shot glass on the table in front of her.

"Is my little sister offering to have a shot with me?" She says shocked.

"More than one." I reply, sitting next to her on the couch."

Wynonna pours us both a shot. "Wait first you're going to tell me what happened. Did Haught do something?"

I make a disgusted face. "Her name is forbidden for the rest of the night. How about this. First we get drunk then I'll tell you what happened?"

I raise my shot glass up and we clank drinks.

"Deal." She says.

Love me some good ole angst.