Page 155 of Thrill Me (Dark Odyssey 3)

Two funerals happen.

One for Sorcha and the other for Dad.

Dad’s was today.

Sorcha's was last week and it was …awful, just awful.

From the gathering of over two hundred people to the way they all grieved.

I think I speak for everyone when I say that the way Vincent grieved was something beyond anything anyone could describe.

It made me feel guilty.

It made me feel completely out of place although her death wasn’t my fault.

Guilt just for being Joey Cipriani’s daughter was enough.

It’s the same guilt I feel now as I stand here by Dad’s gravesite at the Cipriani family plot.

I’m here again, fifteen years later. Another parent this time, yet the day feels the same.

Guilt consumes me because I feel like I’m a traitor too. My father is responsible for the deaths of people I loved.

It feels like I shouldn’t be here and all through the planning of the funeral it felt like I should have no part of it.

Yet…

I had to bring principle back to the forefront of my mind and remember he was my father.

Greed made him do what he did and he got in too deep. As to whether he tried to get out, I don’t know. I don’t think he wanted to. I don’t think he wanted trouble but I don’t think he cared about anyone besides himself, and me.

That is my assessment of him and I won’t kid myself into thinking that the last time I saw him where he tried to save me somewhat was anything in the way of redemption.

It wasn’t.

Not for the man who killed my mother and did so much wrong.

When I told everyone that Dad killed Mom they couldn’t believe it. The knowledge however completed the picture for them and I was just grateful they didn’t hate me.

I didn’t expect anyone to be here for me the way they were when Mom died and I didn’t ask.

Besides they had enough to worry about with Gabe.

Gabe is in a coma.

Gabe has been in a coma for the last three weeks.

He took a bullet in his chest. If he dies I won't know what to do or how to feel. I just pray the next funeral I attend won’t be his.

That is my prayer as I stand here.

I pray Gabe won’t be next.

The funeral has been over for close to an hour but I’m still here just looking.

Gina was the last to leave with my relatives.

I sent her home because I didn’t want to talk.

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