Unexpected Blessings

Unexpected Blessings Part 45

After a quick breakfast at the hotel Evaline and her friends were on their way to the funeral home.  Sitting in the backseat of Chase's jeep she stared out the window as she twisted her fingers together on her lap.  Feeling Rudy slip his hand between hers Evaline turned her head to smile at him, "I don't think I should've ate," she told him.

"You're just nervous and you hardly slept last night," he responded.  "My mom was telling us last night that there's going to be like a lunch or something back at the house after the uh burial so you could probably take a nap later," Chase told her as he drove.

"A lunch?  Why didn't I know about that?" Evaline questioned.  "She told us when you and Rudy were walking around the house," Maddie answered.  "Well who's all invited to that?" Evaline asked.  "I assume everyone," Chase replied.

Groaning Evaline rolled her eyes, "I'm in no mood to deal with my mother's side of the family."  

"Hey can I ask why you never told any of them you're pregnant?" Chase asked, "I heard you tell Mark it was because you didn't want your mom finding out but how come you didn't tell his parents? I thought you were close."

"I am and my grandmother knows I'm in Charleston with you.  She even knows about Rudy, but I didn't tell her about the baby because I didn't know how she'd react.  After my dad, I just didn't want to deal with anyone else making me feel like he did," Evaline replied.  

"He said he finally told them last night though, right?" Rudy asked.  "Yeah, so I'll call her and talk to her.  Hopefully she'll understand.  She knows how my dad is plus I think she's known there was more to my move to Charleston other starting a job," Evaline said.

"How come you didn't want your mom knowing?" Maddie asked quietly.  "Um....well today is the first time I'm gonna see her in person in almost four years," Evaline admitted.  "What?" Maddie questioned turning to look at her as Chase chimed in, "It's been that long?"

"Yeah, I haven't seen her since she showed up to my high school graduation high as a kite.  We've exchanged the birthday and Christmas obligatory calls but after the graduation I decided I couldn't be around her which wasn't abnormal.  I didn't see her from like eleven till I was almost fifteen and then she dropped off the face of the earth again for like two more years while I was in high school," Evaline told them.

"I'm so sorry," Maddie said taking her hand.  "It was something I was used to," Evaline assured her, "I think that's why I kind of just feel numb to all of this.  Other then I don't call her on her birthday or Christmas what else really changes from her dying?  I mean I guess I should've at least called her and told her about the baby.  It seems odd she died without knowing, but I feel like my mom's been dead for years."

Letting go of Maddie's hand as Rudy slid his arm around her shoulders Evaline scooted closer to him as she leaned on him as they drove the rest of the way in silence.

Pulling into the funeral home's driveway Chase was stopped by one of the funeral director, "Are you family?" the man questioned.  "Yeah, I have her daughter," Chase answered, pointing in the backseat, "And two of the pallbearers.  The two cars behind me have the other pallbearers too," he told the man. 

Nodding the man told Chase to leave the keys in the car and they'd move his vehicle in line before walking off to talk to Madison and Elaine who were behind them.  Climbing from the jeep Evaline looked at Chase and Rudy, "You guys are pallbearers?" she asked.

"Yeah, your dad asked me last night if we could do it and I texted Austin, Drew, and JD and they agreed," Chase responded.   Blinking rapidly Evaline bit her lip as she attempted to hold back her tears, "I love you guys," she cried, hugging her step-brother.