Page 12 of New Beginnings
“Our caskets are this way.”
“I’d like to see them first,” I said.
The old man stopped and faced me. “They’re not fully dressed and are still in our cold storage area.”
“That’s fine.”
After a brief moment, he gave a curt nod, then made a right down a long hallway. Once we reached the end of the corridor, he ushered us through large metal doors. Immediately the chill hit my skin causing a shiver to move through my entire body.
“Wait here please,” the old man said.
As he shuffled off, Demon turned to me. “Are you sure you want to do this?”
I inhaled a deep breath and exhaled it. This part of the funeral home had a distinct odor—a mix of chemicals that lingered in the air. The room seemed even more pungent in the presence of the cool air. I hated this place. Hated that my child and wife had to spend one fucking night here, let alone days.
“I have to see them one last time.”
He nodded, then we both turned our attention to the older man as he moved at a snail’s pace back to where we were standing.
“You can go through those doors, right there.” He pointed to another set of steel doors at the end of the hallway. “I will be waiting for you to escort you to our casket showroom when you’re done.”
Without another word he exited, and Demon and I made our way down the long corridor towards the looming metal doors.
“You can do this,” I muttered to myself and took a deep breath, then released it before Demon pushed it open.
He stepped over the threshold first, then I followed. My breath hitched when I saw her and Luca laying on the metal tables beside each other, white sheets covering their entire bodies except for their faces. It took everything in me to keep my knees from buckling.
I watched Demon walk over to the tables, put his hand on his hips and sigh. Then he ran his hand over the crown of her head.He leaned down and whispered something in her ear, kissed her forehead, then turned his attention to his nephew.
He stared at him for a minute before kissing his forehead. He walked back towards me, then squeezed my shoulder as he passed. “Take your time.”
When he was no longer in the room, I took tentative steps towards my family. I still didn’t have it in me to tell our daughter that she would never see her mother again or meet her little brother. Tears filled my eyes as I stood at the head of the tables. They both looked so peaceful, their faces serene and relaxed.
“I’m sorry I didn’t get to know you, little man,” I said to my son. “I’m sorry I didn’t protect you or your mother like I should have. But I promise I’m going to do everything in my power to fix my mistake. I love you, son, in this life and the next.”
I kissed his forehead. The tears and cries I’d been able to bury deep inside I couldn’t push down anymore. He was so perfect. And I was so pissed. I was so fucking angry. I was so sad he didn’t have a chance to live his life.
I looked at my beautiful wife through my glassy eyes. Her once vibrant skin was now pale and lifeless, and my heart couldn’t take any more of the pain.
“I’m so sorry, sweetheart.” I kissed her forehead. “I’m so fucking sorry. I promise even if it kills me, I’m going to find out who did this and make them fucking pay.”
I WANT ANSWERS
J.D. Stevens
“Earth to fucking J.D.”
I looked up at Caesar, his face etched with worry. I didn’t know how long he had been calling my name. We were sitting in my office at the clubhouse, and I hadn’t been able to concentrate on anything. The fear on Dani’s face replayed in my head, triggering a flood of memories. It crushed me that I couldn’t help her. Save her from whatever terrifying thing had shaken her that day. If I could have reached through that damn screen, wrapped her in my arms, and told her I had her back, I would have. She knew I’d always have her back. The question was why the hell didn’t she come to me.
“You alright, bro?”
The memories of being at the hospital had now been replaced with the haunting sight of their lifeless bodies at the funeral home. And it was because of the promise I made them that day. Now that I had seen how freaked out Dani was, I think my mindwas reminding me of my promise. And it was a promise I was determined to keep even if it killed me.
“Yeah, I’m good.” I rubbed my hand over my face. Tiredness from all this shit weighed heavy on me even though I wouldn’t be able to sleep. “Just thinking.”
“About?”
“The video Rebel uncovered.”
