Chapter 15

It was Saturday. The day's seemed to be dragging since my dads death and I didn't know why. I just sat at home all day and thought. I probably thought to much actually that it wasn't good for me, but I had nothing else to do.

My sister got the job at the diner and my mom found a job as a bank assistant. I didn't know what that was exactly, but she said it would bring in money that we badly needed.

We drove up to the big church building in the center of town and I gulped. My dad was in there. Not alive, but dead. I didn't want to go in. I just wanted to go back home and forget all about it, but I knew I couldn't.

I took a deep breath and opened my door. I was wearing a long black skirt with a grey blouse. I hated the colors because funerals were supposed to be about celebrating someone's life that they lived and the dull colors just ruined it all.

My hair was in a tight ponytail and I didn't have any makeup on.

My sister was wearing a black skirt similar to mine with a matching black top. My mom was wearing a solid black dress.

I invited Ponyboy and all of his gang because they were the only ones I really knew around here and Pony was my boyfriend after all. I didn't know if any of them would come, but I was secretly hoping Ponyboy would. I would just feel better if he came.

Elizabeth told her new friends to come if they wanted to and I wanted them to because I haven't met them yet.

I followed my mom and sister into the big church building and looked around. We were the first ones here obviously and I was nervous.

"Hello, Ms. McLister, I am deeply sorry for your loss." A tall man with glasses and a suit greeted us as we walked in.

"Hello." My mom replied.

"I'm Mr. Brady and I'll go through the service and after service procedures with you if you would like, so your husbands funeral goes as smoothly as possible." He said with a smile.

"That would be lovely, thank you." My mom said and followed him into a small room.

Me and my sister were left in the big church building by ourselves now.

The door opened and I turned around to see my grandparents and uncle walk in.

I ran to them and my uncle swept me up into a big hug.

"Hey there sugarcakes!" He said happily.

The nickname reminded me of my dad. My dad and my uncle were such close brothers. It pained me to think what he was secretly going through under his exterior.

"Hi grandma. Grandpa." I said and hugged them both.

Elizabeth did the same and by then I noticed more people were arriving from the family and my mom came back out into the main church.

The service was just about to start when I saw tinted red hair out of the corner of my eye.

I turned and there coming in the door looking all fancy was Ponyboy and Johnny.

"Hi Pony, Johnny." I greeted, walking over to them.

"Hi Jewel." Pony said for both of them.

"I'm really appreciate you two coming." I said.

"Of course."

"It's about to start, I'll see you after." I said and walked away from the two of them.

They went into the church and sat down as I lined up with my family to walk down.

Mr. Brady gave us the go and we slowly walked down the aisle and to the front of the church. As we approached my dads open casket, my heart did flip flops in my chest. My mom led the way and Elizabeth and I followed. Behind us were my grandparents, uncle, aunt, and three cousins.

I heard my mom suck in her breath as she stopped in front of the casket. I stepped beside Elizabeth and peered down.

My heart stopped. My dad looked peaceful and at rest, but that was the thing. He was in an automobile accident and he looked perfect. He just looked like he was sleeping and my five year old self would jump on his chest and sing to wake him up. He would come back to life and giggle with me and tickle me until I couldn't breath. None of it seemed real to me and I didn't want it to be real.

Elizabeth nudged me slightly to get me moving to our seats. I obliged and sat down in the front row with her and my mom and either side of me.

The service was wonderful and they did a really great job remembering my dad, but I couldn't focus on all of it. The whole time I was staring at my dads casket, silently praying for him to wake up and tell everyone he was sleeping or it was some sick joke. I knew it wasn't going to happen, but I still prayed.

When it was over I watched them bring down four big guys, including my uncle and two of my cousins to carry him out.

I lost it when the men closed the casket. Tears welled my eyes and realization swept over me. That was it. I wasn't ever going to see my dad again. He would forever be a body under a lid from a wooden box.

My mom hugged me and swayed me back and forth. We all followed the men and the casket out to the cemetery. The cemetery was connected to the church, so there was no need for driving.

They lowered the casket into the ground as we all huddled around. The minister said a very nice passage and with that it was over.

I still felt tears burning the back of my eyes but refused to let them fall.

Everyone was told to come over to our house afterwards and I invited Pony and Johnny to come for something to eat at least.

"The whole gang can come if they want, we have plenty of food." I told them.

The only people at the funeral were intermediate family, Ponyboy, Johnny, and some people my dad worked with and their families.

"I'll stop by the house and see if any of them our there." Ponyboy said and left with Johnny.

We arrived home and I watched in awe as my mom and grandma worked so quickly and efficiently in the kitchen, getting the food prepared. They were spectacular cooks.

The family slowly started to trickle in the house and also my dads coworkers. The small house soon became overcrowded and I needed to get out.

I walked out onto the front steps and enjoyed the air. The day was beautiful and I knew my dad made sure today was a nice day since it would be full of sorrow.

Life was definitely going to be hard without him and I wouldn't heal for a while, but I knew it would slowly get better.

Ponyboy's door swung open and he, Two-Bit, Johnny, and Dally all walked out.

They made their way over and greeted me.

"Hey guys, there's food inside if you are hungry." I said.

I assumed they came to eat. Why else would Two-Bit or Dally come?

"Well, I'm not going to make this the first time I turn down free food." Two-Bit said.

I got up and had them follow me inside.

"Mom Ponyboy's friends are here." I told my mom as we walked into the kitchen.

"Oh, wonderful. Eat anything you would like boys, we have so much extra." She said and smiled.

They nodded and eagerly attacked the food. Ponyboy stayed back and dragged me back outside.

"Jewel?" He asked.

"Yes?" I said.

"How are you feeling?" He asked.

I sighed, "I think I'll be okay, it'll just take time you know?"

"Ya, I know." He smiled sweetly at me.

I looked into his green eyes and he stared into my own. He leaned down and put a soft peck on my lips.

"Woah! Love show of the year out here!" Two-Bit yelled.

I blushed and looked down as Pony gave him a glare.

"Hey, they have food you know, you don't have to devour each other." He said and laughed.

I couldn't help but giggle a little. Two-Bit just has that stupid humor that gets you sometimes.

"Want something to eat?" I asked Ponyboy.

"Sure." He said.

We left the boys outside and went to get food.

As we looked at everything and decided what to get, Ponyboy stayed close to me and it made me feel safe and sound.

I picked up a chip and stuffed it into his mouth. His expression made me laugh. He then took some dip and dotted it on my nose. I pushed him gently and ran out the house with my plate. He followed and we were greeted outside by the boys and my two guy cousins.

"Oh, I see you guys have found each other." I said surprised.

"Ya." Jake said.

"Well, this is my older cousins Jake and Danny." I said.

"And Jake, Danny, this is Johnny, Two-Bit, and Dally."

"Oh, and Ponyboy." I said turning around and pointing to my boyfriend.

"They live across the street. Well, Pony does, but these three are always over there." I said chuckling slightly.

They said their hellos and we just all got to talking about anything and everything.

Danny really kicked it off with Johnny and Jake got along with Two-Bit and Dally.

It was a really great time and I was happy. I wasn't focused on my dad or anything else. I was just focused on right there and then.

Just the way I liked it.

The end.