Tyler's Battle

Chapter 16 - The Funeral

Tyler looked around the room, there was hardly anyone there, just a few people scattered across the seats: a couple of neighbours, a social worker, a few of his mum's old friends. A lady was stood talking to the vicar, she must be cousin Irene
Soon the service began, it's was fairly mundane. The vicar said a few words about sally and then everyone stood to sing a couple of songs. Tyler couldn't help feeling it was wrong, all wrong. He looked around at the other mourners, how many of them had really known his mum, hardly any and how many had been there when things had been tough, none of them.
Would anybody likes to say a few words asked the vicar, looking around at the small gathering. Tyler assumed cousin Irene would get up to saw a few words but she didn't.
Right then... began the vicar
I will shouted Tyler standing up rather shakily
Errr right exclaimed the vicar taken a back
Tyler, are you sure? whispered Mike in surprise
I want to say a few words about my mum Tyler said louder and more confident this time
Of course replied the vicar still a little shocked
Tyler walked to the front of the chapel, he didn't really know what to say, all he knew is that he had to say something, no one else would
I could stand and say sally was the perfect mum but she wasn't. I could say that she's looked after me, was always there when I needed her, that we went outings and holidays and had lots of fun. But that wouldn't be true. We did have good times, we did go on outings and I know she loved me but most of the time things werent that great. Ever since I was little she suffered with bipolar disorder, some people called her crazy but to me she was just my mum. Even when she was so paranoid she refused leave the house or heard voices or when I had to eat toast for dinner for days on end because she could barely drag herself out of bed  let alone cook a proper meal. Even when she was so upset that I had to stroke her hair until she fell asleep. She was still my mum and she loved me and I loved her. And where were you lot when she was in such a dark place? He looked round the room, choking back tears. 

Where were you when she needed help, I did more for her as a kid than any of you ever did.

You could have heard a pin drop it was so quiet. Tyler shuffled to the side of the room and went back to his seat.  The vicar not sure how to proceed opted for another hymn and then after a short sermon the service was over.

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