Finding Jack

Chapter 3: The Funeral

"It is true
I was created in you.
It is also true
That you were created for me.
I owned your voice.
It was shaped and tuned to soothe me.
Your arms were molded
Into a cradle to hold me, to rock me.
The scent of your body was the air
Perfumed for me to breathe...
.. Time passed steadily and drew us apart.
I was unwilling.
I feared if I let you go
You would leave me eternally.
You smiled at my fears, saying
I could not stay in your lap forever.
That one day you would have to stand
And where would I be?
You smiled again.
I did not.
Without warning you left me," - Maya Angelou
-

Jack Marlow POV

*2 Weeks later*
January 20th, 2010

".. Ashes to ashes, Dust to dust."

I listened as the pastor instructed the others to lower my mama. Seeing her lowered into the dirt, gave me a different feeling from just seeing her in her casket. This meant she was really gone. I thought I'd cry when we got here, but I haven't cried since the first time I'd found out. I just couldn't.

"You're mother was a beautiful person inside and out, we'll all miss her". A strange woman says pulling me out of my thoughts as she wraps her arms around me.I look at her for a moment, embracing her not wanting to be rude.

"Thanks". Was all I could say before walking away from her. Honestly, I've never seen most of these people a day in my life and felt they were all being phony. If you were really her friend or family, you would've been there.

"YO JACK!" My annoying little cousin Keith calls for me. He may only be 2 years younger, but I think it's in donkey years. I swear he reminds me of Cole from Martin sometimes.

"Wassup Keith". I say dapping him up and sitting on the bench next to him.

" I'm sorry about your mom man, she's my favorite aunt ya know?"

"Man, she's your only aunt" I say while laughing for the first time in 2 weeks.

"Oh yeah, you right. Well, you know what I meant man. I'm here for you through whatever" he says in the most serious tone I've ever heard from him.

"I appreciate that Kee." I say looking into the distance seeing my sister with my Dad.

"How is she taking all of this?" Keith ask referring to my sister.

"At first.."

*2 weeks earlier*

It's been 24 hours since I heard about my mother being shot to death, dad says we have to tell Emily soon or she'll start to question where's mom.

".. Baby girl daddy need to speak with you about something very important" Dad says trying to sound as positive as he can

"Yes daddy?" Emily says as he picks her up to sit on his lap.

"Sweetheart mommy was shot just the other night while working, she didn't make it baby." Every word tearing him apart as he tells Emily her mother will no longer be in her life, not to tuck her in, not to pick prom dresses, and not to give her advice on her wedding day.