Sunshine After The Rain

Chapter Eight

"My son was a great man," Joel said as he stood next to the closed coffin at the cemetery. "An honorable man. He worked hard all his life. He was an exemplary student, worker, son, husband and father."

Sophie let out a small sigh, the only one of which who seemed to notice was Lucas, who gave her a pat on the back.

She supposed Joel only saw his son through the eyes of a father. He hadn't known about Jason putting the children's raising onto mainly her shoulders, which was why she had to quit her job at the art gallery and find something more part time so she could handle everything. He also didn't know about his affair.

Because the burial was much smaller than the funeral itself, the woman hadn't joined them to see the pain his children were suffering through head-on. Sophie knew not all the blame for the affair could be placed on her, but with her husband no longer there to confront, she felt her pain and anger building within her. 

Feeling a nudge against her side, Sophie turned her head and saw Laura staring back at her, fiercely pointing her finger toward the coffin.

Unsure of what was going on, Sophie just shook her head until Lucas leaned in. "It's time for you to say a few words if you're up for it."

Though Sophie was most definitely not up to it, she knew what it would look like if she declined speaking at her own husband's funeral. She also knew what it would look like if she said what was actually on her mind versus rather than what one was supposed to say. 

So Sophie took two steps forward, the hands of her children gripping her own, and opened her mouth, hoping the right words found their way into her heart on time. "My husband wasn't a perfect man. He was flawed just like everyone else, but I think his flaws are what I'll miss the most."

Sophie closed her eyes then, and looked back to the beginning of their relationship when they were on top of the world, years before their decline to a harsher reality. "He had terrible taste in music and was about as frat boy as it got. Our third date, he even took me to a toga party. Up until then, I thought that was just a thing they did in movies. He played a lot of pranks in college, which is what I loved about him. Jason had this incredible sense of humor and this light that made the rest of the world look so dark by comparison. 

"He passed out when I told him I was pregnant, puked in the delivery room, and lived on takeout whenever I wasn't home to cook. His dad is right. Jason may have had his flaws and weird quirks, but he was an exemplary man; so much so that I often felt like I was holding him back from something bigger. I felt simple because all I had were these simple dreams for a simple, happy life, while Jason always strived for more. He wanted the world, and it was like I was just along for the ride. 

"For years we were this vomit inducing couple that I'd like to think everyone was jealous of. He gave me two incredible children and ten years of happiness that I wouldn't trade for anything."

Sophie looked back at Lucas, who gave her a warm smile and a nod, and she went back to her place between he and Laura, who gave her the same. 

It was strange doing anything right by Laura's eyes. Almost as if Jason's death was the bridge that helped them find their way to an acceptance. But she didn't doubt the bridge, like Jason, had it's flaws and would someday in the near future come tumbling down.

Lucas spoke next; kind words filled with love and humor she only wished she could share in her own small speech. Everyone was easily charmed by the big burly man in the expensive suit, causing Sophie to feel like he was born for this life so much so than he could ever comprehend. It all fit him like a tailored glove.