problematic ➳ reddie

120

February ❀ age 23

Richie stared at the church floor as the priest was explaining something about his mother, but he was too tired to listen to him. Eddie was sitting next to him and on his other side was his sister Riley and her boyfriend Steve and their dad.

Neither of Riley and Richie didn't cry. They just sat still, hands settled on their laps and faces towards anything else but the casket in front of the church.

Behind them, sat Richie's friends, Bev, Ben, Stan, Mike and Bill. Carol, Mike's girlfriend, was working in Europe, so that's why she didn't sit next to Mike and wasn't there overall. She had sent her condolences and a big hug for Richie, which Mike had secured to happen.

Richie felt a small nudge on his side and looked over at Eddie, who's eyes were glistening. "You two are up."

Richie looked over at the priest, who shut his bible and was nodding towards Riley and Richie.

Richie turned back to Eddie with a pleading look.

"It'll be alright...it's okay, baby..." Eddie assured.

Richie nodded and stood up, waiting for Riley to follow him, which she did. The two walked on the stand and Riley leaned towards the microphone.

"Our mom u-uhm..." her voice was already breaking down. "She was...amazing. She cared for us so much and made us feel loved. Sometimes I just can't believe how she put up with Richie and I, since we were fighting twentyfour seven.."

The other people chuckled a bit, sad smiles on their faces.

"She used to tell me that if something's hard to do, doesn't mean it's not worth of trying and...that's what has been getting be forwards in life. She was my best influencer and...she still is."

Riley stepped backwards and now it was Richie's turn. He glanced over at Eddie, who was giving him a sad, but reassuring smile and his friends, who were all looking at Richie with fond looks. He cleared his throat, but as he started thinking he forgot his little speech what he had prepared and instead he said a simple sentence.

"I love you, mom" Richie said, voice completely broken. He stepped back and looked at Riley, who smiled at him and linked their arms together as they walked down from the stand.

Richie sat back on his spot and got a series of taps on his shoulders from his friends. He looked back at them and smiled weakly. Then he felt a small hand wrap around his. Richie looked down at Eddie's pale hands, which were cupping Richie's bigger one.

"She loves you too" Eddie mouthed to Richie, who now let a single tear trail down his cheek.

-

"Is he doing alright? At home?" Beverly asked from Eddie as all of the guests had arrived to the dining place. Eddie, Bev and Ben were looking at Richie from the distance. He was sitting alone by the window, fiddling with his hands in his plain black suit. He had his plate in front of it, but no food on it.

"He's uhm...been down." Eddie sighed.

"Understandable." Ben said. "What about work? He doesn't record his podcasts anymore that often"