Goodbye
Morgan
My hair was pulled back into a chignon, I wore my Saint Lauren little black pencil dress with my Stuart Weitzman ruby slippers. A black diamond bracelet was on my wrist that matched my black studded diamond earrings. My makeup was light, and I wore very little mascara. Two days prior, Mr. Rhys got the call. It was time to lay my best friend to rest.
The woman looking back at me in the mirror wasn’t the same woman that made all those movies. No, the woman in the mirror was broken. Her stitches may have been removed, her bruises healing, but her heart was torn to pieces. She just wasn’t sure how to mend it. Her stunning blue eyes were holding back tears, even though she thought they should have run out already.
I packed my vintage black diamond handbag with a few handkerchiefs, my phone, makeup remover pads, mascara, and my black oversized Mima sunglasses.
At one point, I almost made the decision to have a very private funeral service at the cemetery with only a few of us in attendance. I dreaded the paparazzi and the media making a spectacle out of Callie’s services, then after talking with Creed, I decided her story needed to be known. There were countless women living in abusive relationships, and I needed them to see the likely outcome if they didn’t get help soon.
I slowly made my way downstairs, and Creed was facing away from me while taking a call. When he turned around, I nearly jumped out of my skin. There was no way the man standing in front of me was Alistair Creed. He wore a white dress shirt under a fitted black suit and a thin tie, but that wasn’t what had me nearly gasping for air. The man I was looking at seemed much younger than the Creed I knew. Those turquoise eyes stood out more and as I stepped closer, he lowered his phone. My hand raised and I placed it against his soft cheek, free of a beard and I studied his entire face as I looked up at him. He shut his eyes to my touch, wrapped his hand around my wrist, then moved my hand to kiss my palm before he opened his eyes again.
“You’re perfect.” I whispered as I studied that chiseled jaw.
He moved my hand then pulled me into a hug. I shut my eyes because the comfort he gave me was the strength I needed.
“I figured I wouldn’t be as easily recognized without my beard. I will not leave your side today, I promise.”
“I hope you know how thankful I am to have you in my life.” I was already fighting back my tears.
“I feel the same way.” He kissed my temple, then pulled back to look down at me. Just like the thousand times before, I was lost in those eyes. In them I found strength and courage, among many other things, but it was those two qualities I needed more than ever. I heard a throat clear, so I looked around Creed and saw Mike Axton and Josh Magnus, both looking dapper in their fitted suits.
“All of you clean up very nicely.” I was so thankful for those men.
“Drakos picked your family up and they should arrive shortly.” Mike said.
“Thank you.”
I turned back to look at Creed.
“We will wait for you outside.” Josh said.
Creed barely turned his head. “Thanks guys.”
I still couldn’t get over how Creed looked. He had a sort of boyish charm about him, and handsome didn’t do him justice. “What’s wrong?” He asked.
“I am just surprised, that’s all. Why did you ever grow a beard in the first place?” My God he was beautiful, and I didn’t think a man could get more handsome than Creed with a beard.
He blushed a little and that look made my heart attempt to leap from my chest. “The guys in basic used to call me pretty boy if that answers your question.”
“I guess I thought your beard was sacred or something.”
He smiled down at me. “No, it was just my attempt to look older and more distinguished. I’m only thirty one. I didn’t want people to see me and think I was too young for so much responsibility.”
“It worked, but I like this look.”
He put his arm around me. “Lets go on out, your parents should be pulling up the driveway at any moment.” He guided me out the door.
Twenty minutes later, I was in the backseat of a black Cadillac SUV with tinted windows. I sat with my head leaned against Creed’s shoulder as he held my hand. Axton drove with Josh in the passenger seat, and my family followed in two of the exact same SUV’s behind us.
The weather wasn't like we filmed most funerals for movies. There was no rain, so we had no need for umbrellas, which meant the angels weren’t crying. Instead, it was a beautiful summer morning, just like Callie would have loved. As we inched closer to the funeral home, I saw the media camped outside. There were several MC members trying to block their view of us. As we turned in to the funeral home parking lot, flashes and flashes of cameras went off around us. I could already hear all of them, yelling one thing out or another. When the SUV stopped, I noticed I was squeezing on to Creed’s hand and I was frozen. “I don’t think I can do this today.”
Creed used his fingers to lift my chin and make me look at him. “You have to do this, Morgan. Someday Addie may see these pictures and videos and she will need to see your strength. The sooner you let the media get a glimpse of you, the better. Do this today so they get bored, and you won’t face all this mess when we pick Addie up next week.”
My eyes began to water. “Where would I be without you right now? You saved us and you continue to save me every single day.”
He studied my eyes then leaned in and kissed the side of my mouth, but lingered as his lips brushed against mine. “That goes two ways, now let’s do this, okay?” He pulled his head back and I gave him a nod before I lifted my fingers to my lips and felt them. He had never gotten that close before, but in that one intimate moment, he gave me the courage I needed to step out of the SUV. Creed put on his aviators then climbed out first and held his hand out for me. Thankfully, I had my sunglasses on, and the moment my leg went to step out, the questions began.
“Is it true your best friend was killed right in front of you?”
“Who killed Shane Doyle?”
“Are you adopting the child of the deceased?”
As photos were snapped constantly, Creed shielded me until the doors opened for us.
“Who are you wearing today?” Was the last question I heard, which made me roll my eyes behind my sunglasses. How did the public get any entertainment by judging what label someone wears to a funeral of all places? My choice was made by what was already in my closet. As soon as we were all inside the foyer area, the doors locked behind us. We arrived an hour before the visitation was due to start. The doors would open at 10 am for the public viewing.
“Where is my granddaughter?” I heard Leslie’s voice, and I turned to see her standing with her hands on her hips. Her bleached blond hair was down, and she still had the feathered wings from the 1980’s hairstyle, and she wore a black t-shirt dress with black stiletto heels.
“The papers have been filed with the court and she will be released from state care on Tuesday. They haven’t allowed me to see her yet and I tried to speed up the process, but nothing I did worked.” I said.
“I guess you’ve done whatever you can, but I’d like to see her right away.” She turned into the arms of an older man with sandy hair that was slicked back, and he had a huge beer belly. He wore a striped polo shirt with faded black Lee jeans and a brown belt. He held her as she cried while chewing on a toothpick.
I turned from that episode of white trash trailer park, and my eyes landed on my mom. She pulled me into a hug and whispered into my ear. “Have patience.”
In the foyer was my parents, Uncle Darren, my brother, my sister, Mike, Josh, Leslie and the strange date she brought, Creed, and myself.
The double doors that led to the parlor opened and Mr. Rhys greeted us. “The family viewing is about to start. I would like to give you some comfort in knowing that Mrs. Doyle looks very peaceful. Your makeup artist did a wonderful job at covering all her injuries and your stylist chose a gorgeous dress. She is wearing the jewelry you gave us, and we have received more flowers than we can fit into the parlor. We will take some to the cemetery, but we will need to send several home with all of you. Do any of you have any questions before you enter the parlor?”
I looked at Creed, not knowing what kind of questions I should have asked. He shook his head, and I nodded just before Leslie spoke up.
Leslie sniffled. “You said jewelry, will she be buried with those?” She blew her nose.
“Yes!’ Everyone quickly answered at the same time. Creed turned to Axton and whispered something to which Axton gave him a nod. I supposed he was to watch Leslie and her date around the casket before it was closed. Who brings a date to their daughter’s funeral?
Everyone walked around me as they entered the parlor, but I froze. The quiet was just too much and I could hear the old floor creaking and a few whispers here and there as the foyer emptied out.
“Oh, my baby!” Leslie cried out and I shuttered.
“I hate that woman.” I whispered to Creed, the only person that stayed with me.
Creed pulled my sunglasses off me and put them in his pocket before he took both my hands in his. “Look at me, Morgan.”
I lifted my eyes to meet his. “I will be right here all day. You’re not alone and when you need strength lean on me.”
I gave him a half hearted smile. “Did Callie send you? Are you some sort of angel she knew I needed?”
One side of his beautiful lips turned up. “I’m far from an angel, but I tend to think you are the angel sent to me.” He pulled me into a hug and kissed the top of my head. “Take your time. We will go in when you’re ready.”
As my body was held in his strong arms I took in his scent and absorbed his strength. I could still hear the creaking floors, the cries, and the whispers. I didn’t think there would ever be a time where I was prepared to see my favorite person on the planet laying in a casket. No matter how much strength he gave me, my heart wasn’t able to face what was waiting for me. I had to get it over with and put that day behind me. “I think we should go in now.”
He let go of me, but hooked his arm in mine before it was our feet making the creaking noise. Weak floors must have been a staple for funeral homes. It was that way when we said goodbye to my great grandma, and to several of my great, great aunts and uncles.
Slowly, we entered as my eyes tried to avoid the cherry finished box in the front of the room. I must have stopped at every flower arrangement and read the cards.
With our deepest sympathy, from all of us at the BBC.
We are deeply sorry for your loss, Sincerely Walt Disney Studios.
In sympathy, Paramount Pictures.
In memory of your loved one, from everyone at Universal Studios.
Dear Morgan, you are in our thoughts and prayers at your time of need. Love Chuck and Gena
I looked up at Creed and pointed at the card. “This is from Chuck Norris and his wife.” I whispered and his eyes grew large.
I moved to the next arrangement.
Dear Morgan and Adeline, we were so sorry to hear of the loss of your sweet mommy and best friend, Callie. You are both in our thoughts and prayers. Love, Rob Lowe and family.
I was lucky to know the few truly nice people in Hollywood. I scanned over several arrangements, and noticed many of them were perennials that could be planted and come back every year. There were even a few fruit trees. I couldn’t imagine how many there were if there was more than I was already seeing. It was when I made it to the memory board I made that I had to pull out my handkerchief. Then, the only thing left to see, was my best friend.
Creed caught me when my legs gave out from under me. I wasn’t expecting a flash of another memory to hit me as soon as I saw her.
My dog died and I was sad. Callie ran into the house and to my room the moment she heard. I cried and she held me in her arms.
“I want to die first. I don’t think I could live a day without you.” I sniffled.
“Maybe we will be like the movie The Notebook. We will cuddle up together when we are like a hundred years old and die together. Its really the only way.” She said.
“Do you promise?” I asked.
“Of course, lets pinky swear.”
I looked down at my beautiful best friend as she laid in the silk lining of her casket. “You broke your promise.” I whispered in a cry. Creed held me up right as I ran my fingers over her beautiful blond hair. “You promised neither of us would go first. You also promised to always protect me from the mean girls.” I broke down and Creed held me tighter. “Why did you choose him over yourself?” It came out in a low whisper. “You look so beautiful.”
Callie’s long blond hair fell over her shoulders in waves. Her neck was covered by a high collar black dress. She was wearing my jewelry, and in her hands that were placed together was a photo of Addie and another one of the two of us together. I wasn’t the one that gave those photos to Mr. Rhys. I honestly wasn’t sure who gave them to him. The finger that usually had a cheap gold plated wedding band on it was bare, and there was no sign of Shane ever existing anywhere in that funeral home. The flowers that laid across the closed lower half of the casket read: Mother, Daughter, and Best Friend.
“I will do my best to fulfill your last wishes.” I sniffled. “I love you sweetie, and that will never change.” I kissed my fingers and laid them on her cold forehead.