Count On Me - Sequel (Laughing into Love)

Chapter 6: A Deep Pain

Two days later and Brian is at work filming the podcast he walked out on days prior. He has helped make all the arrangements for Jane along with Melanie and her wake is tomorrow. After the show, Bryan says "how is she, man?"

Brian rubs his hand down his scruffy face while shaking his head "she's a mess. She's barely eating and sleeping. I've told her so many time it wasn't her fault but I can just tell she's blaming herself. I don't know how to help her through this."

Bryan nods, understanding what he means. "Well, you still have both your parents, that's understandable. Has she talked to anyone who can maybe understand what she's going through? Any of her friends? Maybe even joe?"

Joe lost his mother years before Impractical Jokers became a show. He was very close to her and had a hard time with her death. He talks about her all the time, all the guys do. She was like a second mother to them for so many years. Brian considers what his friend said to him and agrees "yeah, maybe Joe can help. But look.." Brian leans down into the messenger bag he brought and pulls out the envelope Jane passed to him "her mom gave me this to give to Melanie. It's from her father."

Bryan knows quiet a bit about Melanie, Brian being smitten with her for sometime before they got together. He talked about her a lot and Bryan always listened. He asks Q "the one who left her and her mom?" He raises an eyebrow while waiting for the answer.

Brian nods and pops the P as he says "yup. And she said something weird, like don't let Melanie push me away like she pushed him away."

Both men stare at one another in thought for a few seconds until Bryan breaks the silence "well, you gonna open it?"

Brian shrugs "not really mine to open."

"But what if it's something she shouldn't see? What if it hurts her more?" He poses a good question back.

Brian ponders this, hating he's even kept this from her for the past two days. But he knows he has to give it to her. It was pretty much her mothers final wish. He takes the envelope, stuffs it back in the bag and throws it over his shoulder "I don't know, I'll just wait and see." He stands up to go and leave "you're still coming by tomorrow, right?"

"I'll be there, man." Bryan assures.

Q nods with a smirk in appreciation and leaves. Melanie and him have a quiet dinner, and Melanie stares off past him anytime he tries to talk to her. Eventually, she mutters "I still don't know what to put her in. I gave them 3 choices but they need me to make a final decision."

Her voice is monotone, and Brian knows it's not something she's really deep in thought over. She's thinking about something else, but doesn't want to talk to him about it. He doesn't push though, and instead sighs so lowly she can't hear. He answers "I think the blue blouse you sent would be perfect."

Melanie shrugs one shoulder as if she's listening and takes a small bite of the salad on her plate "fine, can you call them?"

Brian looks down at his plate but tells her he will call them first thing in the morning. Her wake isn't until that afternoon, so he's not in a rush to get a hold of them right now during dinner hours. Melanie only takes a few more bites of food before pushing it forward and claiming to be done. Brian takes her plate as well as his empty one and does the dishes. He's been spending most nights at her apartment, having Sal go over to his place to feed his cats. Brian knew how much Sal hated cats but Sal was a good friend, to both of them, and assured Brian he would do whatever he could to help. He lives closest to Brian. Sal did tell him to keep that in mind when it was time for another punishment. After Brian cleans up, he makes his way into the bedroom where Melanie lays curled up in her bed. She faces the window and her eyes are open as she stares at the dull lights of the cars below passing by through the reflection of the skyscraper across the way. Brian crawls into the bed but doesn't try to cuddle her or caress her. She hasn't been wanting any of that since they left the hospital days ago and Brian was okay with that, he just wanted her to know that he was there. The next morning, she is already awake when Brian rolls out of bed. Of course she didn't sleep well and was up early to get ready. Brian quickly had to shower as Melanie let him sleep in longer then he wanted. The drive to Jersey is long and quiet. Brian's jeep is empty except one bag of clothes the two of them will need for their stay over the next few days. Melanie needs to go through Jane's house and belongings, and she wants to get it over with as soon as possible. Although Brian tried to convince her to slow down and to not rush into it, she snarks at him that it's her choice and she wants it over with. He does however convince her to let Caroline and the guys help them. Melanie walks ahead of Brian as they go into the funeral home. She meets the man they've been conversing with the past few days with a brief handshake and a formal introduction. Giles gives her his condolences and then proceeds to explain how things will go for the day as well as how things go tomorrow. She nods when he's done and he shows her to the showing room. Brian stays behind at the entrance door while she walks up to the now closed casket. She puts her hand on the top half and drops her head. He watches closely as she does the sign of the cross and then moves to open the casket. After she opens it, the tears come out instantly and she falls over it asking out why this happened. Brian's heart breaks as he watches, wanting nothing more then to take the pain from her and suffer it himself.