The Broken One ✔

Chapter 16

Gina's funeral was the following day. Did I want to go? No. Did I go? Yes, after a few drinks of course. I never attend funerals sober, it's become a tradition over the years to be plastered when looking over someone's grave.

I was surrounded by Gina's friends and family that I didn't know she had. Most of which spoke fluent Spanish. It was times like those when I really wished Elise was still around to be my translator and support.

Chris and Jenny showed up to her funeral to my surprise. Chris grew close to Gina in the last five years because she was Cleo's nanny. Jenny showed up for support - support that I felt I didn't need, well at least not from her. During our time together in elementary school, Jenny grew close to Gina, so close that Gina considered her family - until Jen moved away.

Gina's funeral was very eventful. My friends got to know drunk me very well. I have two types of drunk: my fun-loving hilarious kinda drunk, and my angry, truthful asshole drunk. My friends got to know the second kind very well that day.

Once the service was over, Chris and I wandered around the cemetery to visit Elise. It had been a while since I visited her.

"It reminds me of Elise's funeral you know" Jenny brought up casually as the three of us walked around.

Jenny has always been great at speaking without thinking. It's one of her great gifts, along with insensitivity. I guess we have that in common.

"Most of the people there were strangers" Chris added "but I remember that everybody stood up to shake my hand...I could finally put faces to names you know"

"That makes two of us" I nodded as we stop in front of Elise's tombstone.

I didn't know a lot of people at Elise's funeral to be honest. A lot of the people there were extended relatives from both my mum and dad's side of the family.

"I miss her" Jenny admitted.

"Sure you do" I muttered under my breath.

Okay so remember how I said that I have two drunk sides, one being an angry honest asshole? Yeah well, exhibit A.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Jenny folded her arms.

Chris glared at me "what's wrong with you, man?"

"Nothing" I shook my head "it's just, the two of you replaced her pretty quick..."

Drunk me has zero filter, especially when I'm angry. I guess that I was manifesting my own insecurities or whatever bullshit my therapist was telling me.

Chris shoved me "Watch your mouth man"

"Nah I'm good" I shoved him back. "Admit it, You used Eva because she looked so much like Elise"

I had been trying to get them to admit it for years, I guess drunk me thought it was a good idea to try again at Gina's funeral.

"Ned!" Chris shoved me again.

"Admit it!" I ordered.

"Boys stop it!" Jenny put herself between us.

"C'mon Jen" I glared at her "sweet innocent Jen...You wouldn't lie to me"

Of course, I was being ironic. Considering she was constantly lying to me and the others for years. Yeah drunk me exposed them both during that argument.

"Have you been drinking?" Jenny's eye's widened at me in surprise.

"For Christ sake Ned" Chris shook his head.

"Did you use Eva as a replacement!" I cried.

I already knew the answer but I just had to hear them say it.