37 Still Alone (1/2)
”Mommy, I'm nervous and a little scared,” admits William. ”What's a domestic funeral like? Who all will be there?”
It's very rare for her Will of Fire to admit he's nervous and scared. Talia squats down in front of Will, ”It's very grown-up and brave of you to admit that. As you will learn, domesticated people like their formal ceremonies. They have many, many different types of ceremonies for different things.”
”Like yours, Daddy's and Dyie's wedding ceremonies that we've watched,” says Will.
”Yes,” confirms Talia with a smile. ”And just like we wore wedding robes for the wedding ceremony, we'll wear funeral robes for the funeral, some domesticated people will be wearing suits or the best they have depending upon their economic situation. We'll drive to the funeral home. And luckily, this funeral home is right next to the grave yard where Sheila will be laid to rest so we won't have to drive in a long funeral procession. That makes things more convenient and means things won't take as long as they often do with a domesticated funeral.”
Find authorized novels in Webnovel，faster updates, better experience，Please click for visiting.
”What's a funeral home and a grave yard Mommy,” asks Maia.
”A funeral home is a building or house where a family or people that specializes in preparing the dead for a funeral work or if it's the family business, they often live there as well. They sell coffins the dead will be buried in and stuff like that… And a grave yard is a big fancy garden where domesticated people bury their dead in the ground.”
”In the ground,” says O.P. skeptically.
”Yes, in the ground,” confirms Talia.
”So what all will happen when we get there,” asks Will.
”Someone who works there will greet us and take our photo for a digital photo book that will go to Sheila's family,” explains Talia. ”We'll be shown to a viewing room where we'll take a seat on long benches called pews. Sheila's body will be in a coffin at the front of the viewing room. A man or a woman of faith will say a prayer. We'll bow our heads and listen respectfully during the prayer. The man or woman of faith may say some other things which are meant to comfort Sheila's loved ones. Then we'll be allowed to line up and view Sheila's body. And when it's our turn, we'll step up beside the coffin to look upon Sheila for the last time and say good-bye… After everyone has had their turn to say good-bye, the casket will be shut tightly and men called pall-bearers will carry Sheila's body in the coffin out to the grave yard. The hole in the ground to place Sheila's body in will already have been dug. The person of faith will pray again and say more words meant to comfort those grieving Sheila's death. They will lower the casket with Sheila's body in it down into the hole and refill it with earth. Then we'll come home and honor Sheila by living lives where we love and care for one another the way all people free and domesticated should.”
”Come on,” calls Richy, ”Let's load up.”
”If you have any more questions,” Cougar informs their three oldest children, ”you may asks during the drive there.”
Will, O.P. and Maia are placed in booster seats on the middle row of seats. Talia sit between Richy and Cougar in the front seats. Wildcat, Greywolf, Richy's grandfather Walter and Talia's Uncle Bob all sit in the third row back seats.
”Why are we going to this domesticated lady's funeral,” asks O.P. from his booster seat.
”Because she was very special,” answers Talia.
”Special how,” asks O.P.
”Sheila gave birth to our Will,” shares Talia. ”She's Will's birth mother.”
”Oh,” says O.P. thoughtfully, ”I guess that does make her special… I'm sorry your birth mother died Will.”
Will shrugs, ”It's okay. I didn't know her. We only met her once. She was that lady that visited the day Dusk at a bug.”
”The skinny domestic lady that smelled funny,” recalls Maia.
”Mommy said her medicine made her smell like that,” explains Will to his brother and sister.
”Was she sick for a long time Mommy,” asks Maia.
”Yes, her whole life,” answers Talia.
”Was she the lady that was your wife before Mommy Dyie,” asks O.P.
”Yep,” answers Cougar. ”When y'all get a bit older, become teenagers and can understand better, I'll tell ya all about it.”
”Now, when we get there,” Talia tells her three oldest children, ”remember to be on your best behavior while we're there; even if some of the grown-ups there behave badly.”
”What do you mean Mommy,” asks O.P.
”Well,” explains Talia, ”most of Sheila's family isn't fond of Dyie and Mommy. Sheila's mother, Ma O'Connor and Sheila's sister, Connie, are very angry with Mommy and Dyie and may say some mean things. They may say some things that aren't true at all, but that they believe are true.”
”What are they mad about Mommy,” asks William.
”When you were born, my sweet little man, Sheila's illness meant she couldn't take care of you. She was a danger to herself and others at that time. So domesticated law gave full custody of you to Dyie,” explains Talia.
Cougar takes Talia's hand and shares, ”But I felt it was important you have a Mommy. And not just physically and emotionally, but legally too. So I asked Mommy to become your mommy legally, to adopt you legally in the domesticated courts of law. Mommy being the wonderful woman she is and loving you very much from the moment she first laid eyes on you agreed… Except Sheila's mother didn't like that idea. She tried to sue for custody of you herself and held up Mommy's legal adoption of you in domestic court for a few months. We had a big legal fight that they lost.”
”Dah, of course they lost,” says O.P., ”Mommy and Uncle Bob are lawyers.”
”There's something else they're mad about too,” says Talia.
”What else,” asks Maia.
”Ma O'Connor, Sheila's mother,” Cougar trying to put it delicately, ”she has the same illness as Sheila. She's sick in her mind. It's something that passes from mother to daughter in her family and it affects their thinking. But with the right medication, they can think fairly clearly. But Sheila's mother won't take the medicine. She refuses to admit she's sick in her mind. Anyway, she thinks it's Mommy and Dyie's fault that Sheila died.”
”But she got her mind sickness from her mother,” says Maia. ”You and Mommy didn't make her sick. It's not your fault she died from her sickness.”
”Maia,” Richy's voice soft and soothing as he continues to watch the road as he's driving, ”Sheila didn't die from her illness. Somebody killed her and Ma O'Connor thinks Mommy and Dyie had something to do with it.”
”Somebody murdered her like Stinger tried to do Mommy,” states Will shocked.
”That's so sad,” states Maia.
”That's silly,” says O.P., ”Mommy and Dyie would never do something like that.”
”You just remember that,” Wildcat tells the three children. ”Your Dyie and Mommy both have jobs they use to help other people. They would never hurt anyone for selfish reasons. For what Stinger tried to do, Roar and Windwalker could have put her to death. But Mommy asked them to show her mercy and return her back to her own tribe.”
”I've heard Hyena talk about how Mommy saved her from her ex-husband,” shares Maia. ”He used to beat her up. She said Mommy didn't even asks for any money for helping her. She said domesticated people put a price tag on everything.”
”While many domesticated people are obsessed with acquiring money, not all of them are obsessed with it,” Uncle Bob informs the children. ”Many attorney's would have refused to help Hyena because she didn't have any money. Your mother has never denied help to anyone who needed it and she provides assistance to attorneys who do help people regardless of their ability to pay.”
At the funeral home, they are greeted by a domesticated woman as they enter the front doors.
”Whose funeral are you here to attend,” asks the woman.
”Sheila Wilson's,” answers Talia.
”If you'll step right this way please,” request the woman. ”We'll get a photo for Ms. Wilson's surviving loved ones. May I have your name please?”
”We're the Devonshire family,” answers Talia.
”Thank you,” responds the woman. ”Now, let's just get you all organized a bit… You here, please…Move in together just a little tighter please… And let's make sure we can see all the children, such lovely children.”
”Thank you,” Talia, Cougar and Richy all say together accepting the compliment.
The woman request, ”Everyone look right here please.” A light flashes and she checks the shot. ”Perfect, we got it. Now, if you'll…”
”Miss,” Talia interrupts.
”Yes, madam,” the woman responds.
Talia looks down at Will as she holds his hand then back up at the woman, ”This is our son, William. Sheila is his birth mother. I think her family would appreciate a picture of just him.”
”I'm sure they would,” says the woman touched by the gesture. ”We'll just zoom in on him real quick for them… Okay… Look right here for me William… Good.” There's another flash and she checks the shot. ”Got it,” she confirms, ”it's perfect.”
Then the woman steps back over to them. ”That was very thoughtful of you. Please, follow me.” And she shows them into a viewing room and a pew just three rows back on the opposite side from Sheila's family. ”Just have a seat. Services will begin shortly.”
Talia and the men with her are very aware of Mrs. O'Connor glancing back at them. Sheila's sister glances back as well after a whisper from her mother.
”I don't know how this is going to play out,” Richy whispers to his grandfather, Walter.
”No matter what,” Uncle Bob directs, ”everyone just stay seated and calm.”
There's a lot of hushed angry whispering from Sheila's family up in the front pews on the other side of the viewing room.
”Mother don't,” orders a man as Sheila's mother gets up followed by her daughter Connie. She's a tall imposing woman and her outrage is clear upon her face.
”Here she comes,” states Wildcat.
”Daddy, I'm scared,” admits Maia.
”It's okay,” Richy assures putting an arm around his daughter. ”She's just gonna bark at us. She's not gonna bite.”
”How dare you,” Sandra O'Connor shouts outraged. ”How dare you come to my daughter's funeral,” she shouts as she slides in front of the pew in front of them to better yell at all of them.
Cougar looks his ex-mother-in-law in her crazy eyes, ”Sandra,” his voice is calm but firm, ”We're just here to pay our respects to Sheila.”
”Respect,” questions Sandra. ”What do you know about respect you fucking drunk?”
”She said the F-word,” states O.P. in disbelief.
”Mother stop it,” says a man stepping up to Sandra followed by a second man. Both of the men are tall with the same Nordic looks as Sheila, her sister, Connie and their mother.
”They shouldn't be here,” insist Connie.
”They're not doing anything wrong,” the second man tells his mother and sister.
”How dare you come here Wendel,” shouts Sandra, ”How dare you come here and bring that filthy wild whore with you!”
”What's a whore,” asks O.P.
”Something bad,” answers Will even though he doesn't know what it means either.
”Don't pay any attention to her,” Richy tells the children quietly. ”On top of her mind sickness she's grief stricken. When she's finished barking at us, she'll go back to her seat.”
”And you, Mr. Sheriff,” Sandra now shouting at Richy. ”You're no better than him! Sheila was crazy about you! And you tossed her aside, broke her heart, left her vulnerable to that lecherous leech you son of a bitch.”
”Mother,” pleads her first son, ”please, there are children present.”
”Children… humph,” sneers Sandra, ”just a bunch of little nasty wild bastards.”
Talia hadn't looked at Sandra because she didn't want to provoke the unstable grief stricken woman any further. So she had chosen to ignore Sandra and whisper soothing things to her children. She's sitting between William and O.P. Maia's between O.P. and Richy. Then there's Walter and Greywolf on the other side of Richy. Sitting on the other side of Will is Cougar, Wildcat and Uncle Bob.
Talia quietly ignores the ranting woman as she looks at her children lovingly and whispers loving comforting things to them.
”I'm talking to you, you nasty wild whore,” shouts Sandra. ”Don't you ignore me you wild bitch!” Then she grabs Talia by her hair.
Talia lets out a surprised pain filled yelp as Sandra drags her over the back of the pew Talia was sitting behind by her hair that she had carefully pinned up.
”I know it was you,” Sandra yells as she drags Talia out into the aisle by her hair. ”I know you killed my Sheila!”
”Mommy,” all three of the children cry out afraid.
”Don't touch her,” Richy orders the other men knowing Sandra would try to claim they attacked her. ”Let her sons pull her off.” But it's hard to stand there and not come to Talia's defense; even though, Talia could easily defend herself against Sandra, but she won't. She won't lift a finger against Mrs. O'Connor.
Then Will afraid for his mother slips away from Cougar, runs past Wildcat and Uncle Bob charging as he yells, ”Let my Mommy go!!!” He shoves Sandra hard as he kicks her shin and stomps her foot causing Sandra to release Talia's hair. Sandra's son's grab her arms as she hops up and down in pain. Talia snatches Will up into her arms hugging him to herself and kissing him.
”Did you see that,” asks Sandra indignantly. ”Did you see what that little wild bastard did? That little evil wild animal attacked me!”
Talia takes a deep breath and composes herself. Then she informs Sandra, ”This particular 'little evil wild animal' as you say was given birth to by your daughter, Sheila… Say hello to your grandson, Will, Sandra.”
”Mommy, I don't want to be related to that lady,” howls Will. ”She's crazy.”
”My grandbaby,” says Sandra, ”she's turned my own grandbaby against me. Did you see that?”
”Stop it, Mother! Shut up,” orders her oldest son. ”Just shut up! The only person here who's done anything is you.”
”This is embarrassing,” states her younger son. ”This is why Michael and I live a state away. If we lived any place close by, you'ld make our lives miserable.”
”Connie, take Mom back to her seat,” orders Sandra's oldest son, Michael, firmly.
”But…,” Connie says nervous and confused.
”Now,” orders Michael even more firmly.
”Yes, Michael,” Connie taking her mother's arm. ”Come on, Mom. Let's sit back down.”
Some tears make a run for it down Michael's face as he takes a deep breath and apologizes, ”We are so sorry… I'm Michael O'Connor. I'm Sheila's older brother.”
Talia shakes his hand, ”Talia Devonshire.”
”I'm Gabriel O'Connor,” the younger brother shaking Talia's hand next. ”I'm Sheila's younger brother.”
Talia places a hand on Will's chest, ”And this is my little man, William… William, these are your uncles, Michael and Gabriel.”
”You are really brave,” Michael compliments William with a smile.
”She was hurting my Mommy,” responds William. ”I couldn't let her hurt Mommy and the babies.”
The two men glance down to see that Talia is indeed pregnant. She's not huge pregnant yet, making the pregnancy easily hidden by her funeral robes.
”I'm okay,” Talia assures. ”But it seems we've caused quite a commotion. We should get back to our seats.”
”May we speak with you at the end of the funeral,” request Michael.
”Yes of course,” answers Talia.
”Thank you,” Gabriel appreciatively. Then he and Michael return to their family.
Uncle Bob hugs and kisses Talia and Will. He asks her concerned, ”Are you alright?”
Talia nods, ”I'm fine. I'm not harmed.”
Uncle Bob kisses Will again, ”That was very brave.”
Will's response is a shrug.
Wildcat hugs and kisses Talia and Will next.
”I'm sorry Paw,” apologizes William.
”Sorry for what son,” asks Wildcat.
”For my behavior,” answers Will. ”I know that's not how we're supposed to behave.”
”No, but you did good,” Wildcat tells Will, ”That's what counts. So don't worry about it.”
Cougar hugs Talia and Will tightly.
”Dyie,” William protests, ”you're squishing us.”
Cougar takes William from Talia and kisses him, ”I am so well pleased with you. But you nearly gave me a heart attack. She might have hurt you.”
”But I'm okay,” says William with a shrug.
Cougar kisses Talia deeply and runs a hand over her belly, ”Are you sure you're alright?”
Talia nods, ”yeah.” Talia turns and Maia and O.P. both throw their arms around her waist.
”It's alright,” Talia assures stroking their red haired heads. ”It's over and Mommy's fine. We need to take or seats.”
O.P. and Maia slide back onto the pew as Richy hugs Talia and kisses her. He puts a hand on her belly as he asks, ”Are you sure you're not injured in any way?”
Talia nods and accepts another kiss. Then she accepts a hug from Walter, who kisses the top of her head repeatedly. Finally Greywolf gets to hug her. He grumbles to her in a whisper, ”Crazy old bat.”
”Hush, I'm fine,” Talia whispers to him. And Greywolf doesn't care that they're surrounded by domesticated people at the moment. He comforts himself by kissing her deeply. He presses his forehead to hers for a moment then they both retake their seats.
More people arrive that missed all the excitement. The woman that greeted them slides in behind them, leans forward and whispers to Talia, ”I called the keepers of the peace, Ms. Devonshire.”
”Oh no,” Talia whispers, ”that wasn't necessary. I'm a little rattled, but I'm not harmed. Besides, I would really prefer for the sake of all the children present at the funeral that there be no more disruptions.”
The woman pats Talia's shoulder, ”They're sending a cruiser with peace officers and they've agreed not to arrest her until after the end of the funeral.” Then she slides back out to the aisle and walks away.
Except for soft breathing and some soft sobbing from Sheila's relatives, everyone is silent as the woman of faith says the things that are supposed to comfort those who are grieving. They all bow their heads during the woman of faith's prayer. At the end of the prayer, the woman who greeted them comes to the front of the viewing room.
”At this time,” says the funeral woman, ”those who wish may come forward to the front and say their last good-byes to the deceased. Then you may line up in the hall if you wish to accompany the family of the deceased to the deceased final resting place. We'll start with the family up here on the front row. Then you may come up front row by row to pay your final respects.”
They sit quietly and wait until it's their rows turn. Talia steps up beside the casket with Sheila's body lying in it as she holds Will's hand. Talia's grief is great and she's grateful for the domestic practice of dressing and putting make-up on the body. She wouldn't want Will to see Sheila's bruised, broken battered body.
”Sheila,” Talia says softly as she glances down lovingly at Will, ”I've brought our William. You have no idea how much I adore him. He's smart and brave and loving… I'm so sorry. I had hoped that one day you and he would be able to get to know each other. If I had realized you were in danger, I would have done my best to keep you safe. I'm sorry I failed you there.” She leans over and kisses each of Sheila's cheeks and her forehead last. ”But I promise I will raise our son well. In this, I will not fail you. I bid you good journey… William, would you like to say something?”
Will nods yes then focuses on Sheila's still face, ”I'm sorry you died. My mommy's really sad about it. She's the best mommy ever. Thank you for giving me to her. I really love her and she really loves me. I really love my family. They make me very happy.” Then he turns to his father and requests, ”Pick me up please Dyie.”
Cougar picks Will up and holds him as he leans over Sheila. Will does as he saw Talia do, kisses each of her cheeks and her forehead. ”Thank you, Dyie.”