“I'm so sorry Faith, whatever you need you just have to ask. Amelia was a second mom to me and I'll never forget what she did for me and Mason. I'm going to miss her. I'll always be there for you, you’re family and we stick together. I love you.”
Both of us are wiping our tears at this point. “Thank you Ry, remember when mom started calling us Thing One and Thing Two. We did everything together and always wanted the same things. She even has pictures of us on Halloween dressed like them.” It feels good to be able to laugh right now.
“Oh, I remember that man, we were even cool back then.”
That sets us all off laughing. Leave it to Ry to cut the tension giving her a big hug. “I love you Ry thank you for everything.”
Looking up I notice the Priest signal he's ready when I am taking my seat at the front Mason grabs my hand it shakes in his and he says.
“I've got you I won't let go.”
“Promise?”
Looking deep into my eyes he says “I promise Faith, I have you now and forever.”
And I know within my heart he means every word he's saying to me. I know that after today things are going to change between us. Mom didn't want a long drawn-out service. She said she didn't want people crying over a casket but a celebration of her life. She, without my knowing, gave the priest a letter for him to read today. Giving the priest a nod he began.
“Today we are gathered to celebrate the life of Amelia Anderson, a mother, a friend, and someone who was willing to always lend a hand when a neighbor was in need. She was always first to volunteer her time for bake sales to raise funds, she was the type of woman you could count on. Her loss will be missed by all. When Amelia came to me telling me what she wanted it didn't surprise me one bit. She said she wanted everyone to remember her as she was and all the good times she had with everyone. She gave me a letter that day and it's addressed to her daughter Faith, if you'll allow me to read it now.”
Giving him a silent yes I already have tears streaming down my face and Mason takes me in his arms and holds me.
“To my dearest daughter Faith. The moment I found out I was pregnant it became one of the happiest days of my life. The best day became when I held you in my arms for the first time. You became the light in my life when I didn't think there was any light to have. I've watched you grow into the amazing woman you are today and I couldn't be more proud. I know right now you feel you're alone, but you're not. Look around at all the people here. They love you baby girl and would do anything for you, lean on those that are closest to you. It's okay to fall apart but you get right back up and keep living. I want you to stop and smell the roses every once in a while, take a spontaneous road trip like we always planned, and when you finally tell a certain someone that you love them make sure you do it with a full heart that doesn’t hold anything back because tomorrow is never promised. And when you're sad just look up and know that I'm looking down on you and smiling. I'll always be with you. I love you baby girl to the moon and back.”
At that exact moment when the priest finishes a beam of light shines down on mom's casket and I know she's here with us. Looking up, I say “I love you, mom, to the moon and back.” As tears stream down my face, I’m aware of everyone getting up and saying their last goodbyes to mom, the priest walks over with the letter and hands it to me.
“I'm sorry so for your loss Faith your mother was a special woman and will be dearly missed.”
He pats my hand and walks away and it's just the people who mean the most to me left. We are all going back to my house. Not that I'm up for entertaining but I need this. I need to feel like I'm grounded. Getting up I walk to my mom's casket to say my final goodbye and throw my rose in. Turning around I see all those that have become my family and I know that I'm going to be okay over time, that whatever happens these people have my back. Walking back over to Mason I take his hand which seems to surprise him “I’m ready to go home.”
“Okay baby, anything you want.”
Walking towards his truck I'm just ready to change and get off my feet. I feel drained, like I can sleep for a week. Kissing the back of my hand and laying it on his leg Mason asks.
“How are you really doing? Faith. And don't hold back with thinking you have to lie, it's okay to not be okay. Like your mom said, lean on those that are close to you.”
“I'll be okay eventually, today I’m just numb. You know like I'm walking in a fog, like I'm gonna wake up and it's been all a bad dream. When we get back to my house I want to put mom's letter in a frame and hang it in the living room. I want to be able to look at her last words daily. Can you help me with that?”
“Of course, anything you need it's yours.”
We are silent the rest of the way home and before I know it we are pulling into my driveway looking around. I've realized I’ve neglected the lawn before I can even say anything Mason speaks up like he can read my mind.
“I'll take care of the lawn tomorrow. I don't want you to worry about it right now.”
I go to argue but he stops me with a look rolling my eyes at the caveman who helps me down from the truck with everyone following behind. Taking my keys out I unlock the door and we all step inside and I stop dead in my tracks. The whole place is trashed, everything broken. All of my mom's things smashed on the floor. I can't see or hear anyone except for looking at the complete destruction of my home and all the things I’ll never be able to get back. Before anyone can stop me I race to mom and my rooms praying they did ruin anything else but my hopes dashed when I get to my room and see it's worse than the rest. Everything is gone and the word Bitch is written on my wall. I don't think I can handle seeing mom's room right now. I don't understand who would do this. I've never done anything bad to someone to get this level of destruction. I don't even realize I've dropped to the floor bawling like a baby until I feel those arms I'm coming to know hold me whispering everything will be okay, but how can it be after this? All of mom's stuff is gone, everything that we own smashed on the floor, all the little trinkets we've collected on our adventures while I was growing up just gone. Through my crying I say one word knowing he will get what I’m saying.
“Why?”
“I don't know baby but you better believe I'm going to find out and when I do they won't know what hit them. The guys cleared the rest of the house and the police are on their way then we can go to my place. I promise you we will find this person. I won't let anything happen to you. Come on, I can hear them pulling up, then we can leave. I’ll be right there with you. I won't let go.”
Nodding my head because that’s all I’m capable of at the moment I meet everyone at the front of the house they all come and stand behind me in a show of silent support while Rhylie grabs my hand. I know at that moment whatever I go through I have my family backing me, just maybe I’ll be okay after this.
Mason
I watch my sister walk Faith to Lucas’s truck, practically holding her up. I thought it would be best to get her out of here while I can see if anything is salvageable but by the looks of it, that won’t be happening. They are taking her to my house until I can get there. The police just left after questioning Faith on who this could be, but she couldn’t really answer anything, too distraught to say much. The fact that some fucker came in here and damaged everything that means something to Faith and on the day she buried her mom means that it’s personal, someone who holds a grudge. All the neighbors were at the funeral so we got no help from them on a description of who it could be. The police took prints but that could take a while to get back, but unless he’s in the system or wasn’t smart enough to wear gloves we’ve got nothing to go on. I just don’t understand who would do this to her. She has never done a bad thing in her life, always willing to help others. The look of pure devastation she had is something that will stay with me for a long time. Turning towards the guys Damon speaks up first.
“Why don’t I pick up Skylar and we can go pick up stuff Faith is going to need since all her shit was destroyed, and have it dropped at your place. I know it won’t replace all that was lost but it might make her feel a little better.”
“Shit, I didn’t even think of that. Thanks, brother. I appreciate it, whatever the cost is let me know and I can cover it.” Nodding his head he walks out the door already on his phone and it’s just me and Victor and he’s staring at me like he can see right through me which I wouldn’t doubt, the insightful bastard he sees way too much. Waiting him out because I know he’s going to say something and he doesn’t keep me waiting long.
