Extended Epilogue
Bellamy
Seemed like all I ever did was attend bloody funerals.
A mate of mine—probably my longest friendship outside of family—just had his father pass away. Arguably, the man had never been a fan of me, but out of respect for Lionel, I wanted to show my condolences in a big way, especially since he'd always been good to me.
“I appreciate the money you gave me to keep me afloat,” he offered as we walked into the church. “Times have been rough the last few months, and?—”
“Don't even sweat it,” I interrupted. “Folks who take care of me, I take care of them.”
“Yeah. Well, it might not a big thing to you, but it meant a world of difference to me,” he admitted.
Walking up to the casket, I said my prayers like a decent Catholic boy, exiting the church before my presence caused any trouble.
Then my heart nearly hopped out of its chest.
Beautiful, dark skin. Tightly coiled hair. A body meant for worship and sinning. This was the woman I thought I’d never see again. This was the woman I hadn’t seen in years. My cruelty drove her away but…this woman still took my breath away after all this time.
I looked at her, and she looked at me, and I swear a part of me just stopped breathing. Knots formed in my belly and in this moment, it was almost as if time stopped. Time had always stopped when I was with her.
Geraldine. My beautiful Geri. A chuisle mo chroí.
Only the flutters in my stomach could only last but so long, because the next thing I knew the woman approached me, bringing her balled up fist to my face, as she squared me right in the jaw.
I shouldn't have taught her that punch…but Lord knows I probably deserved it.