Page 61 of Blackstone's Heart
After clearing her throat, she started to speak. "Jerry was...what can I say about Jerry. He was loving, loyal, fun, giving and most of all he loved life. He was always there when a friend needed him. Quick to laugh, ready to party," she laughed as did the rest of the guests.
"Jerry was never afraid to take a chance. He used to tell me, 'Kris, life is too dammed short to be scared. All you can do is take a breath and jump.' Well, he jumped and jumped big. He was not just my best friend; he was my brother. Though I will always miss him, I know he wouldn't want any of us to be sad. He would want us to party and celebrate life. So in the illustrious words of Jerry Summerland, 'Why cancel the party for a hurricane? Let's rock and pour me another drink.' " Krista smiled tearfully as the congregation laughed.
She moved to Jerry's glimmering green coffin. She pulled out the picture of them and her brothers in Miami and tucked it into the coffin. After whispering goodbye, Krista made her way back to her seat. The second she sat, she laid her head on her dad's shoulder as her mother gripped her hand. Behind her she felt Ethan’s hand resting on her shoulder. She knew in that moment that she would get through this and be stronger than ever.
***
Ethan and Grant stood a few feet from the gravesite near Jerry’s parents, Nick Debbie and Krista. On the other side of the grave was Lance, with Tony and Gage was toward the back. All morning Ethan had felt tense. The last time he felt this way was the day of that last mission. It was a feeling his guys used to call his “Spidey” sense. Over the years he had learned to listen to his gut and he truly believed that was the only reason he was still standing.
"What's wrong?" Grant whispered.
"I can't explain it, but I feel like..." Ethan sighed.
"Your “Spidey” sense?" Grant questioned lifting an eyebrow.
"Yeah." Ethan nodded as he watched the people begin to stand and leave.
Ethan said no more as he stepped away from Grant and walked straight to Krista. He enveloped her and just held her. He barely registered his boys moving in to escort Nick, Debbie, Tessa and Carl to the waiting car. All he was focused on was Krista.
"You okay baby?" He asked.
"I will be. I realized at the church that I will be stronger because of this. Plus, Carl and Tessa are basically throwing a party at the house once we get back." She answered with a soft smile.
Ethan looked down and cupped her cheek. "Think Jerry would have wanted that."
Krista nodded. With his arms wrapped around her, Ethan lead her toward the waiting car. He tucked her into the black sedan and then joined his men in the sedan behind them. Ethan slipped into the front seat.
"How's Krista?" Grant questioned.
"She's hurting but I think she'll be okay. Today was rough for her." Ethan breathed, resting his head against the seat.
"We'll get this asshole boss." Gage stated, a lethal edge to his southern boy voice.
"Gage is right. He's going to screw up and we'll nail him." Lance agreed as Grant steered the car out of the cemetery.
The rest of the drive back to the Summerland home was silent. The whole time, Ethan couldn't shake the feeling washing over him. It was like being in a crowded room and feeling someone watching you, yet you couldn't see them. It unnerved him. He didn't like it, but he didn't know what to do about it. He climbed out of the car and made his way into the house. Already the house was filling with family and friends.
"You okay Ethan?" Debbie asked as she approached.
"Honestly? No ma'am. I can't explain it but I feel like something's going to happen." Ethan answered.
Debbie frowned. "You better tell Nick. Hold off on telling Krista until tomorrow. She seems better today than yesterday, but she's still having a hard time." Debbie instructed.
"I think you're right. Where is he?" Ethan nodded.
"He's in our room changing." Debbie replied.
Ethan turned and headed for the second floor where Debbie and Nick were staying. He found Nick just as he exited the room. Nick must have seen something on Ethan's face, because he reopened the bedroom door and led Ethan inside.
"What is it son?"
"Nick, I have this feeling that's something is going to happen. My guys call it my “Spidey” sense, but after twelve years in the Corps, I learned to trust it."
Nick rubbed his chin. "Okay, what do you think is going to happen? You think Jerry's killer is here?"
Ethan started pacing. "No, I don't but you never know. It's more like...hell, like something is going to be waiting for us when we get back."
"Alright. Wait till the morning to tell Krista. Tomorrow morning, we can all head back to Austin." Nick said.
