OCTOBER
Not even my telenovela wrote funerals like this
Oct 13, 2016 Part 6
Weight: 120 pounds
Ate: nothing else.
Drank: Hmm… I probably could use one
Sex: Let’s put it out there. I want to.
Jennifer slipped out into the walkway and realized cameras were all on Peter and his family as the hugged.
John reached behind him and brought Alice into the fold.
I tapped Peter’s shoulder and he pulled me closer too.
His cologne was familiar and the smell alone made me feel safe.
Victoria pushed out of the group and walked to the front, not caring the entire world watched her every move with rolling cameras.
As she made it to her father’s casket as he laid in regal state like he was the true head of an empire Victoria’s eyes were pools of tears though she didn’t cry. She asked Peter, “Is Dad really dead?”
He left me and walked to his sister, tapping her shoulder as he said, “We should have checked your casket.”
She leaned into her brother but then I noticed her other brother tilted his head at them. The red glint in his eyes made her guess that he knew that Peter and I knew Victoria was alive.
Drat.
I was normally a better actress. I walked over and took Peter’s hand, but then John pointed for the five of them to head into a backroom.
Peter held me close and I went with them though behind her she heard Alice as she said, “You’re hurting my hand.”
John then nicely said, “I’m sorry.”
Huh. I hadn’t realized John might like Alice. Peter needed to tread carefully if he wanted his family back. I’d tell him the moment we were alone.
As they walked into the backroom, Alice sounded all warm and sweet like freshly baked muffins as she said, “It’s fine. We all thought Victoria was dead- you turned into an icicle. John, sweetie, are you okay.”
John turned and I saw he stared right at the cameras. He then said to Alice, “Yes, come help me get the family out of here.”
Victoria walked around her brothers who were ushering her to the other room and headed back to her father.
She hugged herself and stared down at him with a cold hardness I’ve never seen in her.
Victoria had always been the nicest one of her high school friends.
But then she was dead.
Peter’s brother, then told Alice, me and Peter, “Peter, let’s take Vicki to the back room, away from the cameras.”
Something in his tone made Jennifer think something was wrong. She glanced out into the crowd and met the gaze of the stranger again. He nodded at her.
But I gripped Peter’s hand and the five of really left this time out the side door.
John was right next to Alice but then Alice slipped away at the door.
I wondered what was up from John’s pained expression but whatever was happening, this wasn’t good.
He whispered to Peter something I couldn’t hear but the hair on my arms stood out. Were we in danger? Before I could ask, John took off into the crowded Cathedral, probably to find Alice.
He closed the door and I stayed near Peter. At least here I was safe and now maybe I could make amends with Vicki. She’d be the perfect friend to have back.
