Kidnapped

Chapter 23 - "I loved her..." (Last Chapter)

Chapter 24 – Sam Heasley

I stood at the podium in my black slacks, white dress shirt and tie, and black vest and jacket. I stood a looked at the people before me. I had a speech prepared, but I knew that I didn’t want to use that speech anymore. To be honest, I’m not even sure what I’m supposed to do anymore.

Jack was arrested the day that Jessica died; he was taken to jail and is scheduled to go to court on Friday to figure out his sentence; and I pray to God that it’s the death sentence; he killed three members of his family…if anything he doesn’t even deserve to be alive anymore.

I stepped out of my thoughts and looked at the crowd of people in front of me once more; I cleared my throat, “Th-thank you, everyone, for coming out today; I know that the Montez family would’ve appreciated it.”

I sighed, looking down at the front row, Katie was sitting with Nick; they were both looking in the direction of Jessica’s casket; I had allowed the two of them to put something inside of it before Jessica was buried; Katie chose to put Jessica’s favorite flowers, a note, and a picture of the two of them. Nick, well, he put a single rose. That was it, at least it was something.

I sniffled a bit and continued, “if any of you knew the Montez family, you knew who Megan was and you knew who Jessica was, obviously,” I cleared my throat once again, “those sisters were the strongest sisters I had ever met in my entire life; they had been through so much in their lives and they were the most amazing people I had ever know. I promised myself that I would never forget them, and I hope that you all do the same.”

It was too sunny for a day like today; I stood at the podium and felt tears welling up into my eyes, taking a deep breath I addressed the crowd once more, “I just wanted to take this moment right now to say that Jessica was the most amazing girl I had ever met; she had three amazing best friends: Katie, Nick, and myself. But I want to say this…Jessica’s made a lot of mistakes in her short life…but she didn’t deserve this; she deserves to be here right now.” I paused for a moment to swallow the lump that was forming in the back of my throat, “if I could go back to the day that she was killed, I wish I could’ve been the person who was shot instead of her. I wish I could’ve save her. Like I said…she didn’t deserve this.”

I sniffled once again and continued, “Jessica Montez, you will always be remembered; and you’re always going to have a place in my heart…and I wanted to tell everyone just one thing, even if none of you care for what I’m about to say…I still want you to hear it, because Jessica will hear it,” I sucked in a deep breath and felt my tears roll down my cheeks, I looked straight at Katie and Nick who were crying with me, “I loved her…”

I said thank you into the microphone, stepped down from the podium and thanked everyone for coming.

I walked over to Jessica’s casket and crouched down next to her pale body, “I still do, Jessica…rest in peace…I love you.” I placed my lips to her forehead and let one of my tears fall onto her hand; it just sat there…and slowly…ever so slowly soaked into her skin, “I’ll miss you forever.”

Help me remember

The way that we used to be

When nothin' else mattered

‘cause you were lovin' me

Just for the night, one last time

One more good memory

When I look back

That's what I wanna see

Oh, help me remember…

I looked down into the casket one last time before the service workers shut the casket forever and lowered her body into the ground.

“Goodbye, Jessica…I will always love you” I whispered.

Sometimes life is fully of sudden surprises, and this surprise was my wake up call…Jessica was gone…and all I could do now…was think of her.

Authors note: this chapter was deep...but that's the end of it...that was the end of Katie, Nick, Sam, and Jessica's journey. Thanks for reading.

PS: Lyrics were from the song Help Me Remember by Rascal Flatts