Untapped

Five: A Black Parade

    Being swiftly escorted into the hospital I observed numerous officers lining the halls, hats in hand. This made me even more uneasy. So many officers had come out to support my mom, and now they were staring me down as I walked down the hall. I was unprepared for what I was about to see.  There was a doctor standing outside of my mothers hospital room. His face was grim. We made eye contact and he shook his head side to side. The blood drained from my face, the world seemingly got colder. He opened the door and there she was. On that hospital bed was my mother, sheet pulled over her face. Mike was holding her now limp hand sobbing, he was covered in blood. I fall to my hands and knees, my mother was all I had left. Mike came running to me, he held me right there on the hospital floor and we cried together. 

    “I'm so sorry Cal, I made you a promise. I tried my best to keep my promise to you and your father. But I failed.” I have never seen Mike cry. This man who had so much love for my mother, who treated us like family, was usually stoic in nature. Now he was right here with me, bawling on the floor like a 45 year old baby. He really was the most loyal friend our family could ask for.

    “Mike, what happened? How could this happen?” I managed to speak in between my sobs. Still unable to stand as my knees were far to weak.

    “Cal, she was jumped in the yard. An inmate grabbed her gun. I fired two rounds at that bastard. His finger was quicker and he put a round through her shoulder. He hit and ruptured a major artery, she was responsive and doing well. Unfortunately the artery was so damaged and they said she only had minutes left. She had me take her final words down on paper for you. I'm so sorry Callum. I tried my best.” His hands were shaking as he handed me a note folded up, tear-stained and slightly wrinkled.
   
Callum Joseph,
       
      I'm sorry I wont be able to say goodbye to your face. I'll miss all the times we have spent together, but I'll still be there. In the sunshine that graces your face in the morning. My blood runs along with your fathers in your veins, and powers your heart. Finally I will be reunited with your father and we will be watching. Always remember you're never alone, as long as you have the memory of us. It felt as if you were with me in that jail yard, but you are always with me. Look deep within yourself my son, there is more to your life than you can even fathom. You truly are unique, and I know you will continue to live your life that way. My only regret was never telling you the truth about your father, or yourself. Hold your head high Callum, we're watching. 
                                    Love Forever,
                                              Mom

    A few days passed but this empty feeling still lingered. Today was the day of her service, the county was taking care of everything. I looked into my still cracked mirror and straightened my tie. I looked like shit, I had barely slept these past few nights. I also must confess that I have slept in my late mothers bed a few nights. I heard a knock at the door. I looked out the window from my second floor room and saw Mike's truck out front. He had two large flags hanging from the bed of his truck and white roses in the grill. I went downstairs and opened the door.

    “Hey Mike.” I mumbled low.

    “Hey Cal, you clean up real good you know that?” He chuckled awkwardly. He was wearing his dress uniform, and looking quite sharp I must say. “Come on buddy, I know it's not easy for either of us. But it's time to say goodbye to one hell of a woman and an amazing mother.” Sadness almost immediately overtook his face. I firmly placed my hand on his shoulder, and he reciprocated. We walked to his truck and drove off, heading for her memorial service at the county court house. As we drove up, I could see numerous officers and troopers lining the long walkway, still as stone. There on the front steps of the massive building was her closed coffin. Her uniform cap, badge and unloaded service weapon decorated the top of the coffin. The mayor, county commissioner and the chief of police all stood up front near her. When I got to the front it felt as if all eyes were on me. The County Commissioner presented me with my mothers flag, which will take its place next to my fathers on the mantle. There were many speeches by different people of power and by friends of my mothers. Then the time had arrived for my mother to make the journey to her final resting place. 

    Mike, four officers, and myself carried my mothers coffin to the hearse. Then came the procession, first two police cycles with lights going, then the hearse followed by multiple patrol cars and town cars. The entire trip down main street was humbling, it seemed like every single person who lived in town stood at attention for the officer lost in the line of duty. We passed the Green Trea, my moms favorite coffee shop. They had placed her portrait at her usual seat outside with a candle lit. Minutes later, we turned onto my street and passed my house. The procession turned up the cemetery road, we had arrived at my mothers final resting place, next to my father. 

    Myself and the rest of the pallbearers unloaded my mom from the hearse and placed the coffin on the lowering sling. The police chief said a few words and dropped a handful of dirt on the casket as it lowered. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. Several officers fired blanks in succession, one for each year of her service to the county. As the cemetery emptied only Mike and myself were left staring at the headstone.

        Lt. Joseph C. Fields
        Father, Husband, Soldier                   

        Ofc. Marcia-Jean L. Fields
        Mother, Wife, Friend  

    Then there was me, the newly orphaned young adult, Callum J. Fields. Mike and I stood there in silence for what seemed like hours. Even when darkness came and Mike had left I stood there grieving. Time passed and I quickly lost track of it, I laid down right there on the ground above my parents graves, and cried for a good while. I was angry that I couldn't stop what had happened, I was right there, well kinda. I missed my father, I missed my family. Once more my anger overtook me and I slammed my fists on the ground. What happened next both scared and empowered me. The same shockwaves I saw in my first visions rippled across the grass as if it were water, and the animals went silent as every pebble around me hovered over the ground. I have found the source of my power, and its name was emotion. If I could learn to control my emotions I could control my power. I ran down to the house, excited and sad all at once.