Page 75 of Right Place, Right Time (Second Chances)
“So were you and Mac and Sean all close?”
I sigh. “Sort of. Mac and Sean were best friends all through school. They’re the same age. I would tag along here and there, but being six years younger, it didn’t always fly. When I moved in with Mac after my parents went to jail, they let me hang around a little bit more, and Sean and I became friends. Then when Mac arrested me, and I wouldn’t speak to him, Sean was our in-between. He’d come and visit and report back to Mac. I guess we sort of bonded then and remained close ever since. Kind of crazy, huh? Two of the closest relationships in my life were built while I was in jail.”
“It’s not crazy at all. People are sent to us when we need them the most.”
I ponder that thought and realize that it’s the truth. When I’d been in prison, it was the darkest time of my life. The two brightest spots were Kate and Sean—for two very different reasons of course.
“Thanks, Sunshine,” I say, kissing the top of her head.
“You’re welcome, handsome.”
***
I look around at the crowd of people gathered to celebrate the life of Sean Patrick Reilly. There’s me, Mac, and Kate, the guys from Sean’s shop, Julia and her parents and sisters, and some extended family as well.
The cemetery is also crowded with Sean’s bike brothers…some are customers, others are people he’s cruised with. And then there are all the other bikers. Riders from here, there, and everywhere who had heard about a fallen brother and came out to show their support and unity. The sound of all the bikes as they’d approached had been both deafening and beautiful.
It’s a sendoff that Sean would be proud of. He wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.
The service itself is short and sweet. In his will, Sean had specified he didn’t want a long and drawn out affair. As his coffin is lowered, Julia finally breaks down. Heart-wrenching sobs come from Sean’s widow, bringing tears to the eyes of the mourners. Mac waves off my offer of help and walks Julia to the waiting limo.
Kate squeezes my hand, tucking herself into my side as a tear falls down my cheek. I look down at Sean’s final resting place and say goodbye to my other brother.
“I wish I’d had the chance to meet him,” Kate whispers as we walk away.
“Me, too, Sunshine. Me, too.”
