Downpour - sequel to Dark Storms

18

18

I was heartbroken. I didn't talk for a bit. I hadn't said anything until I woke up four days later. I looked at Erika's side. I looked at my wedding ring. I got up sighing and heading to the washroom. I showered, shaved, and looked at the mirror while I put gel in my hair. I pulled on my suit and tied my dress shoes. I looked in the mirror sighing and picked up my phone. I went to twitter and quickly tweeted. "I swear to god if there is one pap near me today you're getting punched." I sighed and headed out the door. I got to the church, seeing nothing but black. I blinked back tears sitting down next to my family. My family being my immediate and in-laws. The service started and I was called up. I spoke my eulogy crying halfway through. "I miss her so much..." I mumbled before continuing. It finished and I headed out with everyone else. Before I did I gently slid Erika's copy of The Fault in Our Stars next to her. The burial followed. I watched as the coffin was lowered in. I threw in a fistful of dirt and watched as they buried the manufactured box. They put down the headstone and that's when it really got me.

"Erika Bella Wheeler Mendes

November 17, 1998

December 31, 2017

Wife, Friend, Sister, Mother

We Love You. "

I headed out to my truck reaching into my pocket and pulled out the little blue box. I opened it and pulled out a cigarette. I slowly lit it before climbing into the car. "If you can't breathe neither can I." I mumbled pulling out of the church parking lot.

Epilouge

I got in my pick-up and drove to the Waffle House. I remembered the long drive, the country songs, and her laugh. I entered the building and the same waitress gave me the same fake smile, and the same greeting. "Welcome to Waffle House. Choose a seat." I went to the jukebox and paid the two loonies it took to play the familiar melody. "And darling I'll be loving you until we're 17." I sat in the same booth. I ordered five waffles and one with three strips of bacon. Two glasses of chocolate milk. Like the last time. I watched as the two 16 year olds who had entered started waltzing at the sound of Ed Sheeran. I ate my five waffles and two strips of bacon. I took the last sip of milk and stood up for the check. I paid and watched as the waitress looked at the untouched meal and then looked up at me. I exited and climbed into my pick-up. I looked at the pack of cigarettes on the floor with one of her lilac hoodies and flower crowns. I picked them up and opened the glove compartment and grabbed the lighter I had bought earlier. In black sharpie sat her handwriting. "I love you xx - 'Eraphant'" I pulled out the cigarette with 'Only You' written on it. I placed it between my teeth and heard the familiar click of the lighter. I brought it to the end of the cigarette and inhaled the smoke letting it out. Rejects by 5 Seconds of Summer started playing and I smiled a bit. "That was a great idea Erika Wheeler." I smiled as I spoke and pulled out of the lonely parking lot of that Waffle House, Rejects blaring, waiting to interuppted by her innocent, "Oh! Yeah!" I sighed and looked at the passenger seat and then the road. "I'm missing your voice right about now Erika Bella."