Page 75 of Corrupt Idol

When she tried to move away, he wrapped an arm around her waist. “You can’t forgive me?”

“We need to go,” she said in a monotone.

“Violet.”

She turned her face away as her eyes burned with tears. “I can’t do this today, Jesse.”

When she pushed against his chest, his arm dropped away. She nabbed her shirt as she crawled into the front seat and slipped it on. Jesse followed and took his spot behind the wheel. She closed her eyes as he pulled away from the park and headed to the church. The short drive seemed to take an eternity. When the pulled up, they saw a bunch of cars in front, including her Jeep.

Jesse reached for his jacket and shrugged it on before he grabbed an umbrella and came around to her side. She stepped out of the SUV and grabbed hold of him when her heels sank into the soggy grass.

They walked into the church and were greeted by the funeral organizers and close friends who had arrived early to see if they could help with anything. She made small talk for a few minutes before she walked toward the stage where her father stood. There was a riot of flowers everywhere along with a photo of mom and a collage of images from her life.

“Hey,” she said as she stopped beside her father.

He didn’t acknowledge her. She wrapped an arm around his waist and squeezed.

“Dad?”

He stepped away and walked out the back door of the church. Her heart thudded in her ears as she watched him stand on the small landing, hands clasped behind his back as he stared out at the rain.

An arm slipped over her shoulders. “Don’t take it personally,” Pastor Sonny said.

She brushed away a tear and tried to cover up her hurt with a smile. “Right.”

“He’s grieving. Everyone reacts differently. I’m working with him.” Pastor Sonny chucked her under the chin, something he used to do when she was a little girl. “It’s good to see you, Violet. Jesse, too.”

“Thank you,” she said and tried to breathe past the pain.

“I hope to see you in church in future.”

She nodded because she couldn’t speak. As someone called his name and he moved away, she knew there was no way in hell she would step foot in this building again unless there was a wedding or funeral. She looked down the aisle and saw Jesse watching her from the opposite end. She turned away and tried to rein in her emotions. She wanted to be anywhere but here.

Too soon, people began to arrive. She and Jesse took their posts near the stage to greet everyone and accept condolences. She was very aware of the fact that her father stayed on the back porch. Some of his friends went to talk to him, but no one could bring him inside the church. She glanced at Jesse who showed no trace of grieving. The tears and vulnerability he’d shown earlier had disappeared. She had never felt so alone.

Pastor Sonny managed to bring Dad inside for the service. She sat between Dad and Jesse in the front row and stared straight ahead with her hands fisted on her lap. The service was mercifully short. She could barely hear the pastor talking with thunder cracking overhead. Neither she or Dad got up to speak, but Jesse did. He quoted one of Lynne’s favorite scriptures and spoke fondly of the woman who had made him into the man he was today. He made everyone laugh through the tears.

When the service was over, she turned to Dad. “Can I ride with you to the wake?”

He walked away as if he hadn’t heard her. She watched him walk through the rain to her Jeep, get in, and drive off without saying a word to anyone. Several people cast her sympathetic looks and pat her on the back.

“Let’s go,” Jesse said.

Neither of them said a word as they drove to the wake, which was being held at one of Lynne’s friend’s house. The wake wasn’t as bad as she thought it was going to be. It was relaxed and casual. They ate and lounged around while telling stories about Lynne. Everyone wanted to know what her plans were now that she had moved back. She had no answers and said she was going to take it a day at a time.

Dad showed his face at the wake only long enough not to be rude before he disappeared again. Jesse followed him outside and leaned on his window and spoke to him before he came back inside. When he caught her eye, he shrugged, indicating he wasn’t worried. She hoped he was right.

When they pulled up to the house that evening, the Jeep was missing. She rubbed her aching temples.

“Should I call him?” she asked Jesse in a voice hoarse from crying.

“He’ll be fine. He just needs to be alone.”

She walked into the house and looked up at him. Even he was showing strains from the draining day.

“Are you going to be okay?”

Moody eyes moved over her. “Eventually.”

---