Chapter Sixteen

Callum

Bella, Martin, and I sat outside the church where my uncle's funeral was being held.

It had been against my better judgment to come, but I thought about William and my other two cousins. When I lost my parents, they were there for Bella and me before shit went down. They spent many nights at my house through the whole planning process, offering us comfort. That was the only reason I told Bella that we would go.

"How long are we gonna sit here?" Bella asked from the passenger seat.

"I was waiting on William."

"Are we walking in with the family? Are we sitting with them?"

"I don't particularly want to sit with them, but I want him to know we are here."

Just as I spoke, the family cars pulled up. After coming to a stop, the drivers got out to open the doors. I motioned for Bella and Martin to exit the car. William stepped out of the first car along with Mo, Jessa, and their mother. Dark shades covered their eyes, but I could still see the sadness in their body language. I knew what they were going through all too well.

Slowly, we made our way over to the family. Mo was the first to notice us. He tapped his brother and sister and pointed. William abandoned his stance beside his mother and came over, pulling Bella and me into a tight hug. Mo and Jessa followed him, and before I knew it, they were surrounding us.

William slapped my back. "Thank you for coming, man."

"We almost didn't."

"I couldn't have blamed you if you hadn't."

"We came for you three. When this was us, you three stuck with us as long as possible."

He nodded.

Jessa smiled at Bella. "You are hardly the same little girl that used to steal my clothes." She looked up at me and cupped my face. Her fingers went to my ears, and she giggled. "You grew into these."

A smile spread across my face. "You grew into that head, Li'l Lollipop."

Mo snickered, and I turned to him. "What about you, boy? Did those braces fix those buck teeth?"

He flashed me a perfect white smile. "It didn't, but my surgeon did."

"Get away from them!" my aunt Sheila snapped as she stormed over.

She pushed her children aside and stepped into my space. My aunt Glenda was right behind her. Both of them glared at me with frowns on their faces. Bella let go of Martin's hand and stood in front of me, giving them the same look right back. It was William who stepped between the three of us.

"Mama—" he started, but she lifted a hand to stop him.

"What right do you have to show up here? You spoke your piece and made your decision seventeen years ago. How dare you come here?"

"I came because your son asked me to."

"Well, I'm telling you to leave. James wouldn't have wanted you here."

Jessa spoke up. "Now, Mama, you know that's a lie. Daddy said a long time ago that he missed these two and wished things were different. He talked about it a lot in his final days. That's why William asked them to come."

"Your father was delirious in his final days. He could have said anything, and he surely never said anything to me about it."

Mo shook his head. "Because he knew you wouldn't listen."

Glenda scoffed as she looked at me. "As disrespectful as he was to both of your parents, you went behind their backs and invited them. If you wanted to make things right, you should have done it when your father was here to get an apology."

I chuckled. "I'm not apologizing for anything. I meant every word that I said."

Bella looked around William. "Listen, Sheila. We came to pay our respects. Nothing more, nothing less. All of this animosity isn't necessary."

"I'm not talking to you, Bella."

"But I'm talking to you. I'm not that thirteen-year-old girl who had to stand back and let my brother argue with you by himself. I'm grown and a mother myself. Nothing is stopping me from whipping your ass right in front of this church if you get out of pocket today."

"Little girl—"

"Hold on there," Martin said, pulling Bella away.

Glenda laughed. "I'm sorry, who are you?"

"That's my wife, and I don't play about her."

"I don't care what you do or don't play about!"

Bella jumped in front of Martin. "Slow your roll talking to him. That's my husband. You know, one of those things you couldn't seem to get?"

Shit. Maybe bringing Bella wasn't the best idea. She didn't bite her tongue, and she never could stand Glenda, even when we were kids. I did not doubt that she would put hands on her in front of this church.

"Can we please just get through the funeral?" Jessa begged, tears sliding down her cheeks. "My father is lying in there. He wasn't perfect, but I loved him, and I just want to give him a proper burial. Please... Let's go inside."

Silence fell among us. My aunts glared at us but allowed Mo and William to lead them away. Jessa turned to us. She took off her sunglasses and wiped her eyes.

"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I'm really happy to see you both."

She kissed our cheeks and followed her family back to the rest of them. I stood there for a moment watching. Seventeen years had passed, and nothing had really changed. Maybe we shouldn't have come here. Part of me was hoping to mend things, but it was clear that there was nothing to mend, at least not with Sheila and Glenda. I'd be open to fixing things with our cousins, but that was about it.

"Get back in the car," I said to Bella and Martin.

"You don't want to stay?" he asked.

"Nah, man."

All I wanted to do was get home and away from this suit. I didn't want to think about family. I didn't want to think about death or a funeral. All I wanted right now was peace of mind.

After dropping Bella and Martin off at home, I headed toward my house. I was deep in thought when I came upon the cemetery where my parents were buried. I hadn't been to visit them in a while, and today, I needed to be close to them. All the contemplating I'd done the last few days had them heavy on my mind.

I thought about how I would have retired them both from work now that my business practically ran itself. I thought about sending them on many much-deserved vacations. I thought about them with Precious and how much they would have loved to spoil her. I could see my mother letting her get away with shit we would have been punished for. I could see my father slipping her money when Bella and Martin weren't looking. She would never know them. My kids would never know them.

It was sad, and the feeling was very overwhelming.

Pulling into the parking lot, I pulled off my jacket and button-up, leaving me in my undershirt and slacks. I climbed out of the truck and treaded through the gate and the familiar path to their grave sites. We were lucky enough to get them plots right next to each other. Once a month, Bella and I came out to ensure everything was clean. We'd bring fresh flowers and just sit with them for a while. Even if no words were spoken, we just sat there.

I approached the graves slowly. Closing my eyes, I said a quick prayer, then stooped to kiss their headstones. I stepped in between the spaces and took a seat on the ground.

"I know it's been a little while," I said, pulling at a few blades of grass. "I'm sure you were looking down at the mess that took place a little while ago. I went there with good intentions, I swear."

I chuckled. I felt like a kid again, trying to explain myself to avoid getting in trouble. There were a few times that worked in my favor growing up. I must have sat between my parents for a good thirty minutes. I didn't say much. Honestly, I just wanted to be close to them. I could always feel their spirits surrounding me when I came here. I just wanted to bask in that for a little bit. Once I'd gotten my fill, I stood and dusted off my pants. These would probably have to go to the cleaners because I was sure there were grass stains.

I trekked the path back toward the front gate. As I was walking, I saw a woman sitting on a bench in front of two large headstones. With her were flowers and what looked to be party balloons. White bricks sectioned off the plot she occupied. Upon closer inspection, I realized that the woman was Pasha. That's when I remembered she told me her parents were buried out here as well. I guess we both needed to be near our parents today.

I slowly walked over so as not to alarm her. When I stepped on a twig, it cracked, and her head snapped in my direction.

I raised my palms. "It's just me."

"Callum." She quickly wiped her teary, red eyes and sniffled. "You went to the funeral?"

"I went, but I didn't stay. I should have listened to my first mind telling me to stay home."

She stood and walked over to me. "That bad?"

"Bad enough."

She reached out and gently rubbed my arm. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay. If it's meant to be worked out, eventually, it will."

"Were you visiting your parents?" she asked.

"Yeah... They've been heavy on my mind since I got the news of my uncle's passing. I figured I'd come see them."

"Are you feeling better?"

"I am." I looked behind her at the balloons and flowers. "What's the occasion?"

"Oh, that? Well, the flowers are for my mom. The balloons are for my dad. Today would have been his birthday. Every year, I bring a cupcake and sing them Happy Birthday. I know it's silly—"

I shook my head. "It's not silly at all. If it gives you comfort, it has a purpose."

"Most days I come out here, it's for comfort. Today, I just needed to talk to my parents."

She sat back on the bench and patted the spot beside her. I sat and wrapped my arm around her shoulder.

"I got a call from my lawyer yesterday," she said softly.

"Oh?"

"Raymond's lawyer subpoenaed my financial records. He's trying to reduce the amount he wants to pay me for alimony. You know the crazy thing, Callum? I never wanted anything from this man. I was willing to leave this marriage with what I came with because none of the material or monetary things would have made me happy. I just want to be free of him. I'm already tired of going to court. I'm tired of him calling and harassing me from blocked numbers. I'm tired of it all."

She dropped her head in her hands. She wore that same look of defeat I'd seen her with the first night, and I didn't like that. I reached out and pulled her hands away. Cupping her chin, I brought her eyes to meet mine.

"In this life, you have to do what brings you peace. You do that for you, not for anyone else. You don't strike me as the type of person that seeks revenge."

"I'm not. I don't have it in me to do people the way they do me. I never have. I've always been unconfrontational. I don't do drama. I like to stay out of the way. I would have gone through this divorce with my head down and my mouth closed. Nothing I gain from it will ease my pain in the end, so what's the use?"

"Then stay true to yourself. Talk to your lawyer. They may have all the training and legal expertise, but you know what's best for you. You know what you can live with."

She nodded. "I will talk to her."

I wiped her eyes and leaned in to kiss her forehead. "Do you need a ride home?"

"Yes, but can we just sit here for a little bit? I'm not ready to go yet."

"Sure."

She picked up the bag next to her and dug through it to produce a cupcake in a plastic container. She also dug out a candle and a lighter. Opening the container, she stuck the candle into the cupcake and lit it.

"Happy Birthday, Daddy. I miss you and Mama so much. I've been struggling, but I'm trying to keep the faith that everything will be okay..."

She sniffled, and my immediate response was to pull her close. She rested her head against my shoulder as I gently stroked her arm.

"Please kiss Mama and Jordan for me. Let my baby know that there isn't a day that goes by that I don't miss him or wish he was here. Let him know that I'm... I'm sorry. I'm so sorry..."

She blew out the candle and set it on the bench beside her. Much to my surprise, she turned to me and wrapped her arms around me. The moment I encased her in my embrace, she broke. Tears stained my shirt, and audible cries echoed in my ears. My heart hurt for her, like hurt to the point where I could physically feel the pain she carried. All I wanted to do was carry it for her.

"I got you," I whispered, stroking her back. "I'm here as long as you need me."