Hiding Behind a Mask

Chapter 13- Losing a Loved One

Lance didn't go to school that Monday, nor did his siblings. They all sat in the house upset and confused. Lance and Sam had to comfort and calm the younger two whenever they remembered and cried out for Rebecca. Rico would often fight and demand for his elder sister, Sarah would ask them if God would give her back. It upset Sam to the point where he'd yell and run to his room, leaving Lance all alone with the two kids.

Lance couldn't handle it, his sister was his rock, his support, and she's gone. Lance finally hushed Rico and got him to bed. Sarah prayed to God again to talk to Rebecca, Lance couldn't stand to hear his baby sister talk to God like that. He walks out and sat downstairs on the couch. He felt sick, and lost, and confused. Like he did when he figured out he wasn't straight, and he told Rebecca that.

She was the first one to know, instead of freaking out or asking if it was true she hugged him. Rebecca said it changed nothing, he was still her brother. Lance looked to his side where she usually sat, she wasn't there, or anywhere in the house. He stayed on the couch and watched the door hoping Rebecca would run in with her usual smile and making up an excuse why she was so late.

That never happened.

That Thanksgiving break was not happy at all, instead they were planning a funeral. Lance saw his mom planning it with their church early one morning. He grabbed his jacket and walked outside, his mom watched her son with a look of sadness. She knew it affected her son differently, he was the closest to Rebecca, the two were practically twins.

Lance ignored all that happened, he walked away from his home and walked by the park he waited for her at. He looked away from it and kept walking, honestly he didn't know where he was going. He was just walking.

He came back when the church left, he had been walking non stop for over an hour and hadn't eaten or taken his medication. He forgot all about it since her death, he didn't feel like taking it, or eating, or doing anything besides walk and forget. It wasn't working.

The funeral came and only the house family, few friends, and her many many co-workers came. They were all upset, they lost someone wonderful, caring, charismatic, funny, kind, and overall a great person. She was taken from them.

Lance walks up to the body in the casket. He noticed the damage her body took. Behind the beautiful makeup and stunning dress were cuts and an obvious broken arm and cracked skull. That was what killed her instantly. Lance couldn't stand the sight of his sister in there, he couldn't stand it. It was made worse when Rico walked up and asked Rebecca to wake up so they could all go home together, that he was starting to miss her.

Lance ran off and hid in a random part of the church crying. He couldn't go back there, Rico was still talking to Rebecca, asking her why she was so sleepy. Sam stayed with Sarah and comforted her, and their mom was with the co-workers crying. Lance felt alone, felt like no one was there for him. He needed someone to hold him.

He needed Rebecca. He didn't want anyone else, he wanted his sister. He needed to feel her against him, he needed to hear her laugh, see her smile, hear her reassuring voice telling him everything was going to be alright. But he couldn't have that, she was gone.

As soon as she was under everyone left slowly. Lance stood there looking at her casket in the ground. People walked up and threw flowers in and walked away. He clenched at the grave, he couldn't stand it.

He lost his rock, his comfort, his support, his sister to a fucking car crash. And at that moment it dawned on him.

It was all his fault.

That night his mom went to work like usual while Lance was now in charge of the house. He was laying on the couch, dark circles under his eyes and a tear stained face. He looked thinner due to not eating as much and non stop moving.