Page 102 of We Were Something
The entire service goes by in a blur.
There are a few hymns, some words from the pastor, a speech by one of Rodney’s friends from high school, and then a speech by his father. Another hymn, some candles are lit.
When it’s over, I take Paige by the hand and drag her out of the church with me as quickly as I can move us.
“We can’t run off just yet,” Paige tells me, giggling as we get outside. “Isn’t there a wake?”
I groan. “I don’t want to go.”
She sniggers. “You sound like a school kid being made to head to class.”
“Maybe that’s what you sounded like. I loved school. This is more the sound I make when I’m told I have to do a photo shoot with my interview.”
Paige giggles again and I tug her into my arms, holding her as people pass us by, walking down the stairs.
“I think you’re right that Jen wants me back,” I tell her, my voice quiet. “But I don’t think it’s because she actually wants me back. I think she’s just…”
“Grieving,” Paige offers.
I nod. “So I don’t want you to worry about it. I…”
“I know,” she tells me, looking up into my eyes.
Her hands are wrapped around my waist and her chin is resting on my chest as she gazes up at me, the differences in our height incredibly apparent.
“Another time, another guy, I might have felt threatened. Giroux cheated on me, so I’m usually suspicious and unforgiving.”
“Who’s Giroux?”
“My asshole ex. But he doesn’t matter. What matters is that I know you. I trust you. And I’m not worried about Jen.”
I smile, appreciating the faith she has in me. “You’re pretty fantastic, you know that?”
She gives me a cheesy grin, one that shows off all her teeth. “I know.”
Chuckling, I kiss her forehead.
“How about this?” I tell her. “How about you head to the hospital and hang out with mom, and I’ll drop by this wake for a little bit and snag us some delicious snacks.”
“Anything that gets me out of going to a wake for someone I don’t know sounds like anamazingidea.”
I kiss her again and wait with her until a cab arrives. Then I spin around and try to find someone to give me a ride to the wake.
It might not be where I want to be, but I don’t mind putting in this last little bit of effort for Jen. After today, she’s going to be dealing with her grief alone for quite a while.
When I arrive at the house Jen and Rodney shared twenty minutes later, having caught a ride with an elderly couple who knows Rodney’s parents, I scan the main living room for Jen but don’t see her.
Idospot Warren and Greg standing around a fire pit in the back yard, so I grab a beer and some sort of quiche and head out to join them. It’s been a long time since I’ve been able to hang out with these two, so I don’t care if it makes me a prick to take advantage of the fact that they’re here, even if itisa wake.
“Where’s the kid?” Warren asks, laughing when I pin him with a glare. “What? You had to know it was gonna get brought up.”
I roll my eyes and slug back half the beer in one go, grimacing at the taste.
“You know, I’ve been to quite a few wakes in my life, and there’s always shitty beer and wine,” I say, ignoring his comment about Paige. “You’d think every wake would be overflowing with liquor.”
Greg laughs. “That’s so true. I’d much rather have a glass full of vodka right now than whatever this shit is.”
A throat clears behind us and we all spin around, finding Mrs. Park standing there staring at us, her eyes red and tired.
