Page 97 of The One I Need
Izzy waves her off. “Don’t worry about it. Actually, it was the best thing that could have happened.”
She looks up at me as she says that, and memories of last night run through me. Holding her as she told me her past. Doing my best to take her pain away. Letting her find her power. It was probably the most emotional night of my life, so I can’t even begin to fathom what it must have been like for Izzy.
“Girls. Come here.”
We all turn to see Constance standing in a side hallway of the church. Everyone here is in black, as is customary. But something about my mother-in-law’s outfit seems even gloomier than everyone else’s. Probably because she comes with her own cloud over her head.
Izzy and Jessie walk in front of us as Jimmy and I hang back with the kids.
“Is she always like this?” I whisper.
He shakes his head. “She’s usually worse. We’re getting the tame version because we’re in front of people.”
“Lovely.”
“Here’s how things are going to go,” Constance says. “You’re going to sit in the front pews with me. Jimmy, you're to sit on the end with the kids in case they start crying. We can’t have the funeral ruined with crying kids. If they do, immediately take them outside.”
“Mom, they’re three and six,” Jessie says. “They aren’t newborns.”
“Watch your tone and just do as I say,” Constance says. “I swear, you always get like this when Izzy’s involved.”
“You mean like having a voice and actually speaking up? Yeah, I can see how you’d hate that.”
Oh shit, my girl isn’t fucking around today. And I know it’s not the correct or appropriate response, but I can’t help but let out a laugh.
“And you.” Constance points to me. “You will sit in the back. No one knows you. You aren’t family.”
“Like hell he will,” Izzy says as she steps in front of her mother. I don’t know what’s about to happen, but I quickly pass Benji to Jimmy, who was ready for the hand off. “That’s my husband. He’s shown me more love in the few months I’ve known him than you have my entire life. So he’s either sitting up front with me, or I’m sitting in the back. Take your pick, Mom. It’s one of the two.”
Constance narrows her eyes at Izzy and me. Izzy has stepped to my side, taking my hand in solidarity. I make sure to be right next to her, showing we’re a team. I know Jessie has tried to help and defend Izzy over the years, but I really don’t think she’s ever had a unified front when it comes to her family.
Well, that’s the past. This is now. And right now, Team McCall-Price is here to stay.
“Fine. He can sit with you. One less thing for you to cause a scene about.” Constance looks over to Jimmy. “Now Jimmy, you leave the kids with Jessie, since you’ll be a pallbearer. They’re gathered in the back.”
“Who are the others?” Jessie asks.
“Your cousin and uncle. A friend from the Rotary Club. Mr. Karr and Matthew.”
You can hear a pin drop after Constance drops that last name. It’s also why everyone in the church can hear Izzy’s response.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake!”
Constance whips her head at the outburst. “Elizabeth! You watch your language!”
I always love to see those moments where people just snap. You don’t get to see them often, but when you do, it’s fascinating to watch. It’s the moment when they’ve absolutely had it. Where the cord has broken, and whoever is around to see the carnage has a front row seat.
I just wish I had popcorn, because I have a feeling this is about to be epic.
Izzy starts hysterically laughing. I’m talking can't breathe, bent over, I think she let out a snort, laughter.
“Elizabeth, you’re acting like a crazy person. Pull yourself together!”
She stands up, shaking her head but still laughing. “I absolutely will not.”
“What is your problem?” Constance asks, pulling Izzy more to the side. “Why are you acting like this?”
“My problem? I don’t have a problem. I’m fine. For the first time in sixteen years, I’m fine, despite everything you continue to do. You haveallthe audacity, and I’m out of fucks to give when it comes to you and your bullshit.”
