The Tail of a Wolff (UNDER MAJOR EDITING)

19. Parental 'figures'

My blood boils at the sight of my mother. Who does she think she is? Showing up late but just in time to do a speech. She hasn't even been present for the past 6 years but suddenly she wants to say something, apologize?

Charlie squeezes my arm in a warning 'Calm down, don't stir up at scene' it implies. I look at him to see angry too, but better composed than I am. He understands where I'm coming from because he was there when she left us.

"Hello everyone. My name is Catherine Hurley. I am- was Tallis' mom. I know most of you here don't know me and have never seen me before. That's because I left Tallis and Wynter at a very young age"

"On the way here, I had everything planned out from what I was going to say to how I was going to say it, but... no words can describe the pain that I feel." Her shoulders shake for for a second "Tallis was my only son and it breaks my heart to see him go, but I know he's in a better place"

"When Tallis was a little boy he'd always do this odd thing that I didn't understand, at first. He'd collect sticks, lots of them, and store them in his room. It got to a point where his father and I got extremely concerned. When we tried to ask to him what it all was for, he refused to tell us"

"We had to threaten to take and throw them away, so he finally told us what they were for. I can remember that day like yesterday" She smiles sadly as she continues.

"He said, 'I saw that you can make something of sticks and it catches your dreams mommy. Maybe if I build one big enough for all of us all of our dreams will come true"

I still remember some of that, we were 5 maybe 6. After that we all spent time together building a huge dream catcher. Eventually it became a hobby that we would do when we were all at home. Instead of only catching nightmares, we believed it would make all our dreams come true.

"From that point I always knew he was special, my little boy grew up to be such a bright young man. He always looked out for the ones he loved, he was optimistic, practical and adventurous. I wasn't there through half of it, and I will forever regret it. They say 'You never understand the value of something meaningful until it is lost"

She let's out a sob, her eyes glazing over as she relives a memory "For the past few years I have regretted ever walking out that door because I walked out on the best thing that has ever happened to me. Oh my baby boy, I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me -" she puts a hand on her chest "and wherever you are, know that I love you so so much"

Her heels resonate with a click as she walks down the podium to the closed coffin. In a bid of goodbye, she puts her fingers on her mouth and presses her hand against it. She then turns to where I sit and says "Both of you"

I don't know what to say so I don't say anything, but I also don't smile back either. She concludes and heads to wherever she was standing. I look over my shoulder to see a handsome man comforting her, hugging her lovingly.

"Wynter. It's time" Charlie stands up and helps me stand up front. I don't decline or push him away because I need this. This is the moment that I have been dreading for so long. I don't know what to say. Will I break down? Will my last words for him be good enough?

I look among the crowd to see various emotions lingering on people.

I want to run.

My hands start to shake as Charlie adjusts the microphone to my height. He squeezes my hand "You got this"

Everyone is quiet as they look at me expectantly. Some faces I have never seen before, some I have. Some of my old college friends, who also knew Tallis, smile encouragingly at me. Annabelle also stands in the crowd and I am thankful that she is here. I don't know why but I look at my mom, and she mouths 'You can do this'.