Brianna is the daughter of an army woman and a drug lord. Her mom is in the army and is getting ready to be sent back overseas. Her dad has been in her life since the moment she came into this world. She is his only daughter and he has 7 more sons...
We are in the principals office having a meeting with my parents and Mr. Hoffman.
Dad: Why did you think it would be appropriate to show that video in a class that Tyler was once in? He meant a lot to not only Brianna but other students in that class.
Mr. Hoffman: Part of my curriculum is current events. That kids death is the most talked about event right now.
Me: His name is Tyler not 'that kid.'
He has literally no compassion.
Mom: Mr. Moore, what will be done about this situation?
Mr. Moore: Mr. Hoffman will be placed on unpaid administrative leave while there is an investigation which will determine if he comes back to teaching here or if he will be terminated indefinitely.
Mr. Hoffman: Why am I being punished for doing my job?
Mr. Moore: Tormenting our students is not your job. Your job is to teach and you failed to do that.
Mr. Hoffman: I'm suing for unlawful termination.
Dad: And we will be suing you for harassment and emotional distress.
After we left the school, my dad took me over to Tyler's parents house.
I went in and they were finishing up his obituary.
Mrs. Anderson: How are you feling today?
Me: I've had better days. How are you?
Mrs. Anderson: About the same.
I nod.
The funeral is in a few days. I wish I didn't have to go. I wish no of this had ever happened. I wish this was all a bad dream. ____________________________________ Day of the Funeral
I got up this morning and began to get ready for the funeral. Today is not going to be easy for anyone.
Tyler's favorite color was blue, so I got my hair blue. And I think I'm going to keep it this color permanently.
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I finished getting ready and looked in the mirror at myself.
Me: You can do this Bri. You can do this.
I hear a knock at my door. I wiped away the few tears that hava fallen and tell them to come in.
It was Keshawn and Yasir.
Keshawn: Are you ready?
Me: No. I wish this was all a bad dream that I can wake up from.
Yasir: I know. But you can do this. You're one of the strongsst people I know Bri. If anyone can make it through this, you can.
Me: Yeah. I can make it.
I took one more look in the mirror, a deep breath, and then we left.
When we got to the church, it was already starting to get packed.
His parents were already here.
I walled up to them and his mother hugged me.
Mrs. Anderson: You got your hair blue?
Me: His favorite color.
The service started and his mother went up to talk about him.
Mrs. Anderson: You know, we always hear about things like this happening to people all over the country. We just never thought it would be us. Tyler was an amazing person. He was always happy, enjoying life. He loved everyone. He had nothing but love in his heart. He didn't deserve to have his life taken from him. He nevere hurt anyone, so why did they have to hurt him?
She broke down and Me. Anderson went up to help her back to her seat.
His father spoke next and then, I was called up to speak.
Me: This is by far the hardest thing to have to do. Tyler, he was everything to me. He never hurt anyone. He was always happy and joking around. I don't know if any of you know this but, a few weeks ago, Tyler proposed to me. He wanted to get married after we graduated and had the baby.
I wiped my face and cleared my throat.
Me: The day he passed, we found out that we were having a son. Tyler was so happy. He couldn't even focus in class that day because he was making plans about how he wanted to decorate our sons nursery. Tyler couldn't wait to be able to hold his son for the first time. Teach him how to play sports. Teach him any and everything he could. And now, he won't be able to do any of that. He won't be able to see his son or hold him after he his born. All because someone decided his life wasn't important.
This shit hurts. Its painful. It isn't a type of pain I would wish on anyone.
Jakhary came up and helped me back to my seat.
They finished the service and then went to the cemetery. I didn't go. I couldn't watch him be put into the dirt like that. I just couldn't.
The repast was at Tyler's parents house.
I went up to his room and sat on his bed. His room still smells just like him.
His favorite shirt was laying in a chair next to his bed. I picked it up and hugged it, crying into it.
Me: Oh Tyler. You don't know how much I miss you baby. I decided on a name for our son. Tyler Asaad Anderson Jr. Yup. He's going to be a mini you for sure. I wish you could be here with us right now. I know you're our angel and you're watching over us but, I need you here. We should have been planning our baby shower and not your funeral. You didn't deserve this Ty. And we're going to get justice for you. We all know how this corrupt ass system works, so its likely that, even with the video, that monster is going to walk. But he won't walk for long if I have anything to do with it.
Someone knocked on Tyler's door and then it opened. It was my mom.
Mom: Are you okay baby?
Me: No mom. I'm not. I just...I can't deal with this type of hurt mama. Its so hard. I miss him so much. He was my everything. He still is my everything even though he isn't here anymore. And it is eating me up that my son will never know his father all because some trigger happy cop decided his life didn't matter. But it did. It did and I'm scared because, what if they don't indict him?
Mom: Baby girl, I want you to know that Tyler will get justice. If they don't indict him, we'll get him justice another way. An eye for an eye.
I nod.
She hugs me and we go downstairs.
We need to celebrate his life. Even though it may be hard right now, it will get easier as well move forward. ____________________________________ Chapter 10 coming soon