I accompanied him to the hospital. The guy was put in the emergency room and I stayed just right out of the door of the ER. You know, just to make sure he'll be okay. It'll be bugging my conscience if not. I don't need another weight on it. The nurse asked me about his information but I really don't know him. So I told her to just ask him since he's conscious and I really gotta go. I stayed for the police questioning (they are giving me looks; like I'm really an accident magnet). They let me go and I ran towards the cemetery. I am a lot closer there now, its just a few blocks away.
While running, passing through the entrance gate, I called Jess. "Hey! Where are you?" I could already see mourning people, wearing black and glum. There's actually a handful of people sitting, listening to the priest. "You! Where are you?! You're late!" I heard my best friend half scream-half whisper on the phone. "I ran into a few problems, I'll tell you later. I can't see you, there's too many people. Where are you sitting?"
"Second to the last chair on the second to the last row on the left."
---
The mass finished and the family had their last moments with Michelle's casket. It was very emotional, even with my frayed nerves, I can see she was loved. The air feels heavy while I could hear the muffled sobs of her parents. Her children-two boys- were visibly lost without their mother. The younger one, maybe about nine to ten years old was openly crying. Loud and full of grief. The older one, he looks like we are in the same age. He clutches his brother to his chest, shushing him, calming him. It looks like he was keeping it together for the sake of the younger. His eyes are brimming with tears, but he needed to be strong from now on. I admire that trait. He seems like a good brother.
Their father, alone at the side . His head hang low. I would say he's crying but I know he wouldn't be. Why would you be sad for a person you wanted dead? He's so fake, I could feel my anger rolling out like waves. You hypocrite! You abused her! You killed her!
But what bothers me is that, why? Why would you kill your wife? Did she cheat? Was she a terrible wife too? But that doesn't make you deserve beatings from your husband. Much less be killed. And I don't think she's like that, she seemed like a very nice person. I can't really judge 'cause I don't know them. My first vision felt like they guy really loved her.
"It's such a tragedy isn't it?" I heard Jess say. "Yeah..."
When the people started go, Jess and I went to go talk to the family. I am trembling with fear. Surely, he'll recognize me and I'll be dead soon too. Coming here is a bad idea, I shouldn't have thought I would be safe. It feels like that night again. My heart is beating wildly in my chest, my whole body is sweating, I am having a hard time breathing.
My best friend beside me noticed my distress. She looked at me sympathetically. "They won't blame you Ree. It's going to be fine." Oh Jess, if you only know. I don't think everything would be alright again. But I gave her a shaky nod. I don't want her to get involved in this.
When we got there, Michelle's parents greeted us. But they distanced theirselves from us after we told them sorry for their loss. The just smiled at us then walked away.
I was still not ready to face Robert, but he came towards us along with his children. The little boy seemed to have calmed down a little.
"Condolences to your family Sir." Jessica said and shook hands with him. My best friend touched a blood soaked hand. Metaphorically. He looked at me and I shivered. I was shaking when I raised my hand to shake his. I may look too obvious that I know something, but I can't help it! "Co-condolences S-sir." I stammered. He shook my hand and smiled. He actually smiled his kind smile. The one I saw he gave his wife, just with less intensity. "Thank you." He said.
"These are my sons, Matthew and Riley." He added, putting his hands on the shoulders of each to indicate who is who. The older one, Matthew nodded at us. The younger one hid behind their Dad's legs and waved meekly. "Hi." I said.
"I would like to thank the two of you. I heard from the police, it was the two of you who attempted to save my wife." He smiled at us with what seemed to be gratitude and sorrow. My fear turned into boiling anger. How could he?! How can he stomach making pitiful faces when he killed his own wife?! Before I could control my temper and my hand as an addition, I grabbed the pendant necklace from my pocket. I shoved it to him. "I'd like to return this to you. This must have been important to your dearest wife." I said to him.
He looked down at my palm and carefully detached the jewelry from me. He's shaking. "T-thank you."
Everything got awkward because he began crying. That two-faced killer walked out sobbing his loneliness of losing his wife.
---
Jess and I were leaving the cemetery when someone called us from behind. It's Matthew. He's running towards us. Jess raised her brow at me. Maybe still thinking about my weird behavior earlier. I just shrugged at her. The son of Robert stopped right in front of us, panting. "Hey." He huffed, bowing to his knees to catch his breath. "Uh, hi?"
When he looked up at us again, he grinned boyishly. He's quite cute, the good boy type. Matthew has slightly long shaggy hair. His fringe falls slightly on his face. His eyes, brown as hazel, wearing checkered polo, the son of Michelle made my heart jump a little. D*mn.
"Here. It's my number. Save it."
I stood there frozen so Jess grabbed the piece of paper and kept it.
"Yeah sure. Thanks." Jess said, amusement evident in her voice. Oh boy, I'll never hear the end of this ribbing.