Page 43 of Reckless
Chapter Twenty-Three
Carly
Waking up today is horrible, I spent the last two days pretending like this is just some bad dream. I feel like Izzy will just walk in any minute and say, ‘surprise, just kidding!’ I know she’s gone though and today it will all become real. I’ve never been to a funeral.
Everyone around here has been walking around in complete silence and sadness since the shooting. Last night when Wrench got home, it's the most emotion I've seen from him lately.
Opening the closet door, I grab my black dress and slip it on. Looking in the mirror, I don't even recognize the girl staring back at me. I have changed so much since I left Tony and even since Jax came back into my life.
The door opens, and Wrench is standing there. "You ready, babe?"
I nod my head, he still hasn’t told me what happened to his hands and I’m not sure at this point I want to know. “Let’s get this over with.” Taking one last look in the mirror, I smooth my straight hair, I didn’t even bother with makeup knowing I’ll end up crying and ruining it anyway.
Walking into the hall, I see Nikki, we have been stuck to each other's sides since that night. Lying there with Izzy while we tried to keep her coherent and comfort her created a bond between us. "I don't know how I'm going to get through today."
I wrap my arm around her. "You'll get through it with me by your side and take it one step at a time. How is he doing with it all?"
Pres took Izzy's death hard. He's been holed up in his office since that night, and only the brothers have been allowed in.
"Hell if I know. I haven't seen him, and honestly, I'm pissed off. I get Izzy was his sister, but she was one of my best friends." She wipes a tear away. "I don't know what's worse, that he hasn't checked on me to see how I'm doing, but he doesn't even want me around when he's hurting."
I stop walking and look at her. “He needs to process this in whatever way he feels like will take the pain away. It has nothing to do with his feelings for you.”
“I keep trying to tell myself that.” She takes a deep breath. “Let’s get this over with.”
We walk out to the cars, hand in hand. The guys are taking their bikes, but with everything that happened, they don't want us on the back of them. Nikki and I climb in next to Lucy, and Tracy is in the front seat. None of us say anything for the entire ride. Pulling into the cemetery and seeing the white folded chairs lined up in front of a beautifully decorated oak casket immediately causes tears to start falling.
Half the chairs are already full, and the rest are being filled by us. None of the girls wanted the kids to be here, so Jess volunteered to stay back with them since she didn't have that close of a relationship with Izzy. Stepping out, I give Nikki my hand, she's always been so strong that seeing her body jerk with sobs only makes me cry harder.
We take our seats, and everyone is here except for Pres, hearing the sound of a bike coming, we all know it must be him. Eyes turn to the street and follow him as he walks up to stand next to the casket.
"My sister, Isabella Pierce, was the most amazing woman I have ever met in my life. When she walked into my life years ago, I didn't treat her right. She never once held a grudge against me. She showed understanding and compassion for my mistrust and anger at her." He pauses, and I can tell he is using every ounce of strength he has not to break down.
As much as we would all understand, I think he assumes people would think he's weak. "I wasn't able to protect her when she was little. When we took her in, I promised her she would always be safe here. I broke that promise twice, and this time I can't make it up to her. Now she is watching over all of us, and I'm sure she'll be a guardian angel to all of our kids who adored her."
It's at that point that a single tear traces down his cheek. "She would have made an amazing mother, and I hope that in heaven she has that chance." He grabs a single rose from the planter next to him. "’Til we meet again." He tosses the rose onto the casket and walks back to his bike. He pulls away from us, and no one moves.
Lady stands up and faces us all. "Izzy would have really appreciated you all being here. She loved everyone here, and I love you all for caring about her. Waking up these past few days and realizing that she’s gone has been a kind of hell I could have never imagined. All I can pray for is that she’s at peace and she died knowing how loved she really was." It's all he says as his voice breaks. He tosses a rose onto the casket the same way Pres did before walking away.
Nikki stands up, walking over to the flowers and I follow her.
We all say a silent goodbye to Izzy as the flowers make a huge pile on top of the casket.
Love you friend.
Goodbye.
