Listen Before You Go

Chapter 6: The Funeral

Gerard looked to the colorless sky above. Black clouds loomed overhead, distant thunder and lightning were coming in from the horizon.

Of course, a funeral for a guy that maybe one person will miss will be as fucking dramatic as possible.

He stormed inside, quickly seeing his brother by a table with an open sign-in book on it.

"Your tie is seriously messed up, Gee." Mikey said, taking the red fabric to retie it.

"Ties suck." Gerard muttered. "Frank already tried to fix it, but I don't care what it looks like."

"Gerard." Mikey said, a mild sternness to his voice. "Behave, for mom."

Gerard nodded reluctantly, and let his brother fix his tie.

Lindsey and Frank walked over, both in their formal outfits. Frank's simple black suit was much more like Gerard and Mikey's, whereas Lindsey's black dress with a dark red, fringey tulle skirt, had a very Victorian-era vibe. Despite it being a funeral, the four looked like badasses.

"Hey." Lindsey said softly, giving both Ways a hug. "How are you guys?"

"Doing just fine, glad you could make it." Mikey said. 

Gerard didn't say anything, he just nodded in agreement. Frank tried to scan him for specific emotions, but once again, could not.

Lindsey nodded and smiled, and looked to Frank.

"Let's go sit, your mom is near the front." The two walked away, leaving Gerard and Mikey alone again. Frank noticed Gerard's tie was better, but he didn't mention that it was still crooked.

"So, Gerard." Mikey started slowly.

Gerard's heart rate jumped, and he looked at his brother. "What?"

"I don't know when she's getting here, but I want you to meet Kristin."

Gerard smiled for the first time that day.

"Your girlfriend?"

"Yeah." Mikey seemed nervous.

"I'd love to." Gerard noticed his brother was being quiet and he tapped his arm. "This is a good thing, right?"

Mikey nodded. "I thought you might be upset, that's all."

"Upset that you have a girlfriend?" He frowned.

"Not just that, just, you know, like, inviting her here."

Gerard's expression softened. "Why would I be upset about the person who makes you happy?" 

"I don't know." Mikey admitted. 

Gerard hugged his brother tight. "I course I want to meet her."

-

Like most funerals, it was quiet, but unlike most funerals, it wasn't due to the loss, it was just awkward.

Nobody knew Donald Way that well, and most of those who did, didn't like him much. Everybody was just there for Donna.

The pastor talked about Donald some. He mentioned his donations to the local charities and his help in building the small children's hospital down the road. But once he mentioned how good of a father he was, Mikey and Gerard just looked at each other.

Gerard could barely hold back the sarcastic remarks begging to be given to the world, and Mikey was a little upset that the pastor would stand there and say things about his father that were so untrue.