Ride Along // h.e.s

{ Home for Angels - Chapt. 2 }

The room was dark, the only light that illuminated the corner was the small lamp on the desk. A shadow, face hidden in a mask of black, shuffled through papers rapidly. They were looking for something, as though it was urgent. A few grunts and groans later, a single hand pulled out a small slip of paper from the left drawer, leaving it ajar. The figure scanned the sloppy handwriting on the paper, mouthing the words breathlessly.

12 January, 2012

A Doctor by the name of Seuss once said “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” Which I choose to live by. I lived by this quote just like she did, Amelia Jane. Amy was, and still is, a beautiful extraordinary girl. I was more than lucky to have been part of her life. The problem is, I stand before you to see the sad faces of her loved ones. Amelia died in a car accident, as you all know, and even though I smile at the memories I share with her, that are mine and only mine, I also am allowing myself to cry. Because I will always, forever, miss my Amy.

You knew her well, possibly better than I knew her. But I can tell you that our relationship, the almost love we shared, was incredible. I feel purely blessed to have been able to share that, and still do, with Amelia. Though she is not part of this world now, I believe she is part of another world. She has always been an angel in my eyes. And the day she passed, she went back home to where all the angels live. Whether you believe in a Home for Angels, or not, I know that we all hope Amelia is in a wonderful new place. May her soul rest in peace, and be missed. Thank you.

The boy at the desk blinked back tears that had formed on his eye. He let out a sigh, and then breathed in a breath through his nose, trying to stop the running snot. He wiped at his nose, and then at the single tear that dripped down his cheek. A shaky breath, and the slip of paper slid back into its home. It had been 3 years since Amelia passed. The night of Harry had wished to bring her to The Coffee Bean and give her the present he had bought for their one year anniversary that was only a month away.

He just couldn’t have waited. He wanted to give the present to her that night, after he got the startling news. But now she was gone. Harry sighed, closing the door and pushing his chair out from under him. He clicked the lap light off, and slid the chair back into place before walking up the stairs of the basement and into the light of his house. The boy’s eyes scanned across the digital clock. ‘11:30’ the blue numbers glowed.

With one last look at the desk drawer from the top of the stairs, Harry closed the basement door and made his way around to another set of stairs leading to his bedroom. He ran a hand through his thick hair, climbing the steps slowly. One breathe at a time, he told himself. He knew he wasn’t prepared for this day, the day of the anniversary. He had gone to sleep the night prior with blood shot eyes and a red- sore nose.

It had taken him much longer than usual to fall asleep, and when he did it was no slideshow of lovely memories. Instead, he was shown images of nightmares. Nobody coming to the funeral anniversary. Harry stood behind the podium, his hands shaking as he gripped the paper of his old eulogy, and behind that, a new clean slip of paper of his new eulogy for her. Harry had gulped, and scanned the empty benches. Nobody had responded his invitation, nobody had come. Harry woke up, crying.

Now, only a few minutes until he was scheduled to arrive and greet others arriving, Harry was a ball of nerves. He brushed his hair more than enough times, making it curl up in tight bouncy curls. Harry looked at himself in his door mirror, gulping a ball of air and forcing it down. He forced himself to steady his heart. Harry chose not to wear anything too fancy, he knew Amelia wouldn’t have liked the fuss.

He instead, wore a plain black suit jacket, a crisp white shirt under, and a black tie. With a pair of black trousers, Harry quickly removed the golden watch on his left wrist. Amy wouldn’t have liked the watch. The only accessory he allowed himself to wear was a thin chain with a pendant attached. He hid the pendant under his collar, not wanting people to ask about what it mean or what it said.

With one last look, he straightened his tie and walked out of his room and down the steps to the front door. He grabbed his car keys, and walked out the front door. Shutting the door, Harry walked down the front steps and to his car. One breath in, one breath out.

###

The smiles on their faces were forced, he could tell. One hand shake, one smile, and then they walked. Most who had arrived had come for him, instead of her. That thought made his insides boil with anger. He tried not to show it, just keep shaking and smiling. Finally, the last guest arrived. The white church he had arrived at three years earlier was shiny and white in the midday light.

Harry had pressed his hand to the door handle, ready to close the church and begin his walk up on the stage and behind the podium, but instead halted. A slick black car, long and shiny, rolled up to the walk way to the church. The woman that emerged from the open car door, stood and gave a tight smile. Harry didn’t recognize her as she walked up the steps, and to the doors. As Harry shook her bony cold hand, he got a good glimpse at her face, and still had no idea who this woman was.