Broken

Part 7

A Few Days Later

Sophia's Point of View

With EZ in the passenger seat, I followed my Uncle Hank to the cemetery. The day after I had moved into Angel's apartment we had a small little funeral service for my parents. As much as I felt strongly that my father didn't deserve to be celebrated, my mother, on the other hand, did deserve a respectful send off. Ever since the funeral, Hank had been distant and I wanted to know why.

After we parked in the parking lot, I turned to EZ. "Do you mind if I do this alone?"

"Not all," he replied, "I'll keep a look out from here. If you need anything just text me."

I smiled sweetly at him and then leaned in to kiss him on the cheek. "Thank you."

I got out of the Jeep and walked along the path towards my parents' plot. The sun was shining brightly and I could feel the heat on my back. It felt good to be outside. I stopped a distance away from their graves when I saw my Uncle Hank standing with his head bowed and his hands crossed in front of him. If I wasn't mistaken, it looked like he was crying.

I didn't want to interrupt him, but I wanted to know what had been going on with him. Hank had never been secretive in the past. He was never one to keep secrets from me, unless it was serious club business he didn't want me to be involved in, which I understood. I slowly made my way down the hill towards him and stood quietly behind him for a moment before I cleared my throat to make myself known.

Hank quickly wiped his eyes and turned to see who was behind him.

"Sophia...baby girl, what are you doing here?" Hank asked, looking like a child who got caught with his hand in the cookie jar, "Why are you by yourself?"

"I'm not," I replied, "EZ is with me. He is just waiting in the Jeep."

"Are you here to see your mom?"

"Actually...I followed you here," I answered honestly, "You haven't been yourself since the funeral and I've been worried about you."

"Oh sweetheart, I'm fine," he replied, too quickly.

"Uncle Hank, I know you better than that," I stated, "I know dad was your brother and you and mom were friends, but what aren't you telling me?"

"I was in love with your mom, Sophia," Hank replied.

"Ok...I wasn't expecting that," I said, reaching for his hand and looking up at him, "When did that happen?"

"Sophia, I fell in love with your mom twenty-five years ago," Hank answered, "A year after they got married, your mother showed up at my door in tears. She was lonely and neglected and she just wanted to be loved. Our affair started that night and it continued until a month ago, when your father finally figured it out."

I stared at Hank, the shock written all over my face, I'm sure. How was that even possible? How had I not picked up on this? How had my dad not picked up on this?

"You had a twenty-four year affair with my mom?" I asked, "How did you keep that a secret for so many years? How come you or mom never told me?"

"We were very careful," Hank answered, "Sophia, we couldn't tell you. The only other person who knew aside from me and your mom was Bishop. There were times when your mom and you needed protection. Aside from you being my niece, Bishop needed to know why I was so keen on keeping your mom protected. Up until a month ago, Bishop supported our relationship and the club provided protection when the two of you needed it, no questions asked."

"What happened? Why did the protection stop?"

"A month ago, your mom decided to tell your father the truth," Hank explained, "Needless to say, your father didn't take it too well. He cut off all forms of communication and that day was the last day I ever heard from your mom. When I couldn't contact your mom, I had no idea she was in so much trouble. I should have found a way to get to her...Sophia, I'm so sorry."