The Forest

The Funeral

"Together, we are gathered here today," A large man belted, "to mourn the death of Jinx Michael Cope."

We listened to this man go on and on about how Jinx was in a happier, better place and how we shouldn't be sad for he's happy now with the Lord. I wanted to stand up and call out bull shit. I know Alex was thinking of doing the same. He held me back, and I held him back as well. 

"And now, Jinx's boyfriend-- Alex Dawson Bates-- will give us his speech of how much Jinx changed his life. Alex?"

Alex stood up, but quickly sat back down as he was in tears. "I- I can't do this..." He whispered to me, "Can you please read this.. for me?"

"Yes, Alex. Just sit there. If you feel like you are feeling better and want to take over, just give me a thumbs up," I said, rubbing Alex's back. 

I stood up, and moved to the front of the building where Jinx's casket is and where that one man had been before. I took a deep breath and started, "Hello. I'm Clover Lynn Armstrong; I'm also one of Jinx's friends. I know Alex should be reading this," I paused and looked at Alex who was still in tears, "but he's having a moment. So, I told him that I would read this for him. Pardon me if I start crying."

"It's okay!" Jinx's mom shouted, "Just read the speech! Then do your own!"

"Yes ma'am Mrs.Cope!" I shouted back. I took a deep breath and started to read the speech Alex had wrote. "According to Richard Bach, if you love something, set them free. If they come back they're yours; if they don't they never were. I wasn't ready to let Jinx go; I don't think any of us were. I hated seeing him whenever they found him, and I don't think any of us will ever be ready to truly say what happened to him. But, I know he loved me and I know that he was mine. But, how is he supposed to come back? I know people believe in reincarnation, but I'm not one of those people and neither was he. We never even fathomed that one of us could die soon or even that one of our friends would be murdered." I had to pause, I was starting to tear up. I quickly wiped those tears away and continued. "There was no way that we could have known what was going to happen. Trust me, if there was a way that we could have known, we would have been out of here in a split second. Jinx and I, we were partners in crime, not literally, but you know what I mean. We did everything together, and I wouldn't change that. Before I met Jinx, I used to need two shots of tequila to know how and what I feel, because I couldn't understand myself. Jinx was my tequila when I met him. He knew everything there was to know. Or he at least made it seem like he did, and he helped me understand myself. He made me realize what true love was; being afraid to lose someone, not finding someone. He taught me so many things during our short time together, but I remember everything." As I said those words, I looked at Alex who was still in tears. He motioned me on, telling me to keep going. "...He once told me that I shouldn't worry about what people say, because people don't really know what or who they are themselves... Someone once told me that one day I would find that one person who makes all others disappear. Jinx was that one person for me. I remember the last words he spoke to me.. "I love you, Alex. You made me realize that I was looking for happiness in the wrong spot because I was looking for it in the same place that I lost it. You are my happiness, my life and my world. I love you." Those words will forever be engraved  If only we could turn back time... Maybe we could have found that person... Jinx, you mean the world to me. You meant the world to me in life, and you still mean the world to me even though you are gone. I know that he couldn't control if he lived or if he died, but he made my life special. Truly special. I love you, Jinx. Godspeed, Jinx. Godspeed."

I wiped tears from my eyes as I read those last three words. I stepped off those stairs and went back to my chair, as Alex and Jinx's parents gave me a big hug. 

"Those were his words, Mr. and Mrs. Cope," I said, pointing to Alex. "He just asked me to be the messenger."

"It's time for us to bury the body," The same burly man said.

"Let's go.." Alex said, pulling me along. Delilah and the rest of our small group that got even smaller followed slowly behind.

We went to the place in which they were laying him to rest. People from his life-- family, friends-- were all around his casket as they lowered it into the ground. 

"We should pray..." Delilah said, then paused. 

"It feels like the right thing to do," Autumn said, choking back tears.

"I'll start us off," Bishop said.

"No, Mrs.Cope should start us off," Alex said cutting Bishop off.

"I'm quite fine dearie. Sir, go." Jinx's mom said, trying not to cry her eyes out.

"Lord..." Bishop said then paused, "please. Please be with this family, and these friends, during this time of crisis and hurt. Please be with the police officers in this town as we catch this evil person who tore Jinx and Loren away from us. Let us find the person who did this, so that it will not happen to another person by their hands. Be with this town, and place your healing hand on these people here today. Amen."

"Amen," we all repeated.

With those words from Bishop, we watched the casket containing our friend lower into the ground. 

"Godspeed," I spoke softly.

"Godspeed," Bishop repeated, grabbing my hand.

We all went around in a circle, repeating the words I had spoken. That's when we heard a faint, "Godspeed," in the back of the area by someone none of us that none of us recognized.

"We have tequila and shot glasses!" Alex shouted, going to his cooler in his car.

"Why do we have drinks and shot glasses?" I asked.

"It's.. It's a tradition. Jinx told me about how whenever one of his close friends had passed away, he had brought an alcoholic beverage for those who were closest to the victim to share. Since Jinx was my replacement tequila, I thought it only made sense to bring some tequila. So that we could share this and get a sense that he was still here..." Alex said, shedding a few tears.

"For Jinx, let us take a drink!" Autumn said, holding back tears.

"For Jinx!" We said as we took a shot. 

There was no dry eye in the cemetery that day. Little did we know, the one who was responsible for both their murderers had attended the funeral service. The one that none of us recognized, that was someone who we would see again shortly.