Chapter 9
Chapter Nine
The funeral is like any other funeral. Maribel sits in the front pew weeping with her parents at her side. I am on the other side of the aisle, in the front pew with Brenda, Cal’s mother and Lisa, Cal’s sister, on my right, while Tori sits on my left with my father on the other side of her.
I take note of who all is here, The Vultures of Mercy, including a very pregnant Mary and Josiah at her side, Jordie and his wife, Caroline; Evelyn, Jordie’s sister, and her husband; Cage and his wife.
Employees from Cal’s Auto Shop and some of his customers.
Friends from high school and college. Cousins, distant cousins, and even the ladies from the bank… they always had eyes for him.
But most importantly I note who isn’t here. Isabel. Not a single member of Stacy’s family is present. Granted, Cal and I murdered her. Cage helped us cover it up. They believe she died in the hospital… where Evelyn is head of surgery… after losing control of her vehicle and crashing into a ravine.
My eyes find Josiah again, curious if he knows where Isabel is or what Isabel knows about her sister’s death.
Josiah isn’t part of the few members we’ve entrusted with that secret.
There are only seven people who know about that night.
And one of them is lying dead in the casket in front of us.
Another sits on my left. Tori gazes up at me, her brown eyes like glass, clear and so light against the red in her eyes.
Fuck she’s beautiful when she cries.
“Aaron,” Breada’s hand lightly touches the back of my hand. “Son, it’s your turn.” She sniffles, dabbing her eyes with a tissue. Jordie steps away from the podium and comes toward our direction to take his seat in the pew behind us. I stand and adjust the suit jacket Tori forced me to wear.
I pause at the casket and place my hand over my brother’s one last time before I step up to the podium. I remove my black Stetson and place it on the podium and begin.
“As many of you know, Calahan Lawerence, Cal…or as the Vulture’s know him, “Law”...
was my brother. Yeah, we don’t share blood.
Parents. Siblings. But that doesn’t matter, he was my brother in every sense of the word.
” My throat aches with each word I speak.
I swallow in protest. “You see, my dad was a single father with a demanding, rewarding career and I can’t fault him for keeping a roof over my head and food in the fridge…
but it meant I was on my own a lot after school, or after a game.
Cal, he saw me. Saw that I needed someone, not just a friend, but a brother…
and when he brought me home to Brenda… she decided I needed a family.
“Cal and his family accepted me, and my dad, as their own, and the six of us became a family. What you don’t know is that I’ve prayed to God every day to bring me a brother, and God brought me Cal.
And everyday after I thanked God for bringing Cal into my life.
” I bend my head and clear my throat. My eyes scan the room, landing on Tori and my family…
Each one of them, Brenda, Tori, Lisa, my dad, are crying as I stand up here fighting my own tears.
“Cal was a great man. A hard-working man. A man that knew how to command a room. He was an amazing uncle to Vinny, to Lisa’s children, Katie and Beau, and an overprotective Godfather to Addy, my daughter.
He was a man of faith, but he believed in consequences too.
Some are harsher than others. I stand here knowing that he is the reason I am who I am today.
Because of the boy who saw me at my lowest. And I’ve seen him at his.
” I clear my throat, fighting against ache growing stronger.
“He was my business partner. My fellow Co-Finder of the Vultures. We were a packaged deal… right baby?” Tori smiles and nods in answer. “He was my best-man when I married Tori…” I pause and smile to myself as the memory of Tori inadvertently asking me out takes form.
“In fact, Cal was sitting next to me in one of the many college lounges when Tori came up to me and asked if I was in her Art Class. I wasn’t, so I sadly said no.
She sighed and apologized and walked away.
That’s when Cal punched my arm and said ‘What the fuck, Dude? Haven’t you been crushing on her for months?
’ and well… I had” I nod my head for the audience, earning a few and small chuckles.
“But I was also too dumbfounded by the fact that the most beautiful woman on campus knew I existed to realize what the moment was. Luckily, Cal did and called Tori back. She marched right back up to us, Cal apologized for me… used a pick up line on my behalf. Tori blushed and I stuttered a question. Long story short, she asked me if I wanted to model for her art project… Again, I was so stupefied that Cal answered ‘yes’ for me.” More guests chuckled, including Tori and my family, others just took the lighthearted moment to wipe the tears.
“Without him… Tori and I wouldn’t be together.
“There’s no one that compares to this great man.
I can’t believe you’re gone, brother. I know you’re up there playing ball with your dad.
Just know that I will be here for everyone you love.
For Maribel, Momma Brenda, Lisa, Katie and Beau.
I won’t take your place because you’re irreplaceable, but I will look after them for you.
I miss you so fuckin’ much brother.” I take my hat, place it on my head and step off the podium.
The moment I do I lose it. Tori rushes up to me, knowing the thread holding me together finally snaps and I need her.
Her arms wind around my waist and I wrap her up in my arms as she guides us to our seats.
After the burial, everyone is invited back to Maribel and Cal’s home.
Tori’s mom brings Vinny and Addy, both running towards Lisa’s kids the second they arrive.
I look around the two bedroom fixer-upper.
The kitchen and living-room are newly remodeled, and I smile.
Cal and I spent three weekends tiling the floor and backsplash.
Every night, Maribel and Cal came over for dinner for those three weeks.
Cal had so many plans for this place and I offered to help him financially and in true Cal’s nature, he only asked if I’d help him with the work.
I understood. It’s the same argument over and over again, ever since we were kids. It was… I suppose.
We have money, my dad is a higher up in an oil company.
I have a place there if I want it, but I don’t.
I have a lot of investments and two franchises, but I’m perfectly happy with the multiple small businesses I own…
including Tori’s studio and Cal’s Auto Shop. Which the ownership reverts back to me.
Again, not a single family member from Stacy’s family. I’m not sure what I expected, but their absence wasn’t one of them.
“What’s on your mind?” Tori asks me, threading her hand through my elbow.
“Stacy’s family isn’t here.”
“Maybe they don’t know about the funeral.” Tori says, forcing me to look at her.
“They know. I called Isabel myself.” We stare at each other, having a silent conversation.
“I needed to know-” I don’t finish as one of Cal’s cousins greets me.
The day continues in the same way. People come up to Maribel, Brenda, and Lisa give their condolences. Give me a shake of the hand and an “I’m sorry for your loss.” By the time the food comes out, I am ready for it all to be over. Ready to be home and sleep.
The last of the mourners leave, Tori, Lisa, and I help Maribel clean up. Brenda sits on the recliner, talking with my dad and mother-in-law. “Maribel, you should rest. We got this,” I say.
“I'd rather stay busy,” she replies.
“Are you gonna be okay staying on your own tonight?” Lisa asks as she puts left overs in tupperware containers Tori pulls out of the cabinet. I grab a trash bag from under the sink and rustle it open.
“I have no choice.” She remains monotoned, her tears dried up in the several days it’s taken to receive Cal’s body and plan the funeral. Yet, she has not been alone, she has not slept on her bed. Tonight is the first night she’ll truly be by herself.
“There’s no rush, Marí,” Tori cuts in. “You’re welcome to stay with us as long as you need to.
“Thanks,” Maribel nods and turns around to start piling up the paper plates and plastic cups.