Seas Between

Chapter 12

Katrina and Avery sat side by side on the plastic chairs above Freddie's grave, surrounded by guests of all ages and races. A dark woman sat next to Avery in all black, as custom when attending a funeral. Avery's parents were next to Katrina, also in black.

Avery's mom, Dana, had the same black hair as Avery. Avery looked so much like her mother. Her dad, Felix, had thinning, dark brown hair and a scruff 5 o'clock shadow. He was a ruff looking man. He had a lot of bad habits but she still loved him.

Katrina's parents were by the coffin crying, trying to read their eulogy. Katrina couldn't listen to them. She was too sad to look up from her lap. She just stared at her black skirt and shoes.

Avery nudged her. "Hey, they're lowering the coffin now, last chance to get up there and say something."

"I don't want to..." She trailed off.

"It's okay, you don't have to. I just thought you might want to. I'm sure there's a few people here who'd like to hear from you." Avery hugged her friend's shoulders, pulling her into her. "Just a word?"

"On one condition," she said quietly. "come up with me?"

"Sure buddy, no problem" she squeezed her tighter and stood up, pulling Katrina with her.

Katrina stood next to the lowering coffin, tears streaming down her pale cheeks. Avery stood next to her, swinging back and forth on the soles of her black flats, funeral information in her hands.

"I'd like to say a word." Katrina said loudly but not confidently. Slowly, the noise dissipated and heads turned towards them. "Thank you, I know you all probably had something else planned that you were going to do today. I'm glad you all came. It means a lot to my family and me." A few people smile and nod slightly.

"We all loved Freddie. He wasn't old, only 8 years old," a few people started to cry, still smiling. "He was a really happy kid, really easy to get along with. I'm glad he was my brother." She wiped back tears and Avery grabbed her hand, squeezing tightly and releasing a bit.

"Freddie, that name fills us all with the memory of him, his jokes, his laugh, his schemes..." Her mom and dad joined her, she looked at their faces, full of pride. "I'm glad you all loved him as much as I did. Bye!" She blurted out and started to run back to her seat, Avery shortly behind her. The casket was lowered and sympathy was received then Katrina went home for snacks.

***

A smaller gathering was held for only the closest friends and family. Avery was there. She brought the brownies. She makes the best brownies; Katrina adores them.

Maxwell, Ed and Clayton were there too. They were all 8 too. Ed was eating most of the delicious brownies.

Ed was a bigger kid, short black hair, glasses on the bridge of his nose. He had Spanish origin; he got it on his father's side, his grandfather.

Maxwell was a shorter, shy guy. He was really smart. He had short, spiky brown hair and freckles, lots of freckles.

Clayton was the biggest joker. He always made them laugh, but not today. Clayton was quiet. He was from Canada and only moved to Seattle a few months ago. He had black hair and blue eyes, a really beautiful child.

Katrina and Avery went into her room and sat on the bed. "I'm so sorry," Avery said for the ten-thousandth time.

"Again, there's nothing you could've done. It's okay." But it's not, a little boy dying is never 'okay' and she knew that.

"I know, I know, but I just don't want you to be sad."

"I'll not be sad in ten years, happy?"

"In ten years" They laughed. "See, that's a start!" Avery pointed at Katrina's still laughing face.

"I guess it won't be quite ten years, maybe 9 and a half." Katrina said. Avery smiled and hugged her again.

***

"When do I get to meet your mystery man?" Avery nudges after a while. Katrina forgot all about that.

"Uh, he couldn't make it."

"Sure... Tomorrow then?" Avery smiled.

"Uh, I don't think so."

"Oh really? Then why don't we go find him instead. Unless he really is fake." Avery teased.

"Absolutely real, but I don't know if he can."

"You're making excuses. My belief in this mysterious date of yours expires tomorrow night. That is, unless I meet him, in person!"

"Okay, so, you wanna watch a movie?" Katrina asked in attempt to catch the subject.

"I guess, sequel to last night's movie?"

"Sure, I think I have it."