Chapter Sixteen
The reminders pull the floor from your feet
In the kitchen one more chair than you need
Oh, and you’re angry and you should be, It’s not fair
Just `cause you can’t see it, doesn’t mean it isn’t there.
Mya
We made it to the wake a little late because Sully insisted on waiting until she was sealed in. I understood the fear and stayed at the car when Noah and Carrie told me they were going to go set it up. TAT paid for a private banquet room in a local bar on the outskirts of Tacoma. It was strange to have a security team at the door requesting a code from everyone entering.
They made sure everyone’s code was different and scanned the barcode where they left it at the entrance. I understood it, but it was sad he needed security like this for his daughters wake. The News media would be all over the funeral though. Kace Sullivan’s funeral was televised at parts as the state of Washington mourned her.
This was the private wake where anyone could speak. Lexington was scheduled to singHallelujahand Thick as Thieves were singing an unknown song as well.
“You ready, babe?” I ask, as we make our way inside.
“As I’ll ever be,” he says, gripping my hand tight. “Did you get the bag with my change of clothes?” he asks me, and I nod.
“Thank fuck. I am less anxious here because this is private and personal, and chill. I just want to relax now.”
We show our ID’s and the wristbands that we were given so we could be led through the back unseen. Drake was the head of TAT’s security since the beginning and had sadly managed security for a few funerals in his career with them.
“How you holding up?” he asks Sam after he hugs me.
“Shitty, but solid I think,” Sam says, and Drake chuckles.
“Graphic, but logical.”
Now, Sam laughs and I can feel the tension in him dissipate. Just a little, but it’s a start.
“I’ll be in after we shut the doors down, but I am out here until then.”
“I will make sure there’s no dedications until you let me know we can start,” Sam explains, and Drake shakes his hand before using a key card to open the back door to the kitchen.
“Straight through, then go left at the double doors. There’s a private office for you.” We both thank him and enter the room to change.
He watches me strip down until I am in the lacey black lingerie and his eyes follow my every movement. “You didn’t change into the granny garments?”
I laugh and blow him a kiss. “I have to keep you guessing.”
He pulls me by the waist until I am flush against him. “I won’t be initiating a tricky quickie in here even if I want to, but I wanted to tell you… You are perfect, absolutely.”
I kiss him softly, but with intent as my tongue touches his for the briefest moment. “I love you, crow.”
He closes his eyes and kisses my forehead. “I love you, butterfly.”
Sully
I sit in a booth next to the stage. It is softly lit, but not like a bar. There is a table of candles in front of the stage with a guest book and framed photos of Kace. Every time someone speaks, they light a candle after they do, and the candles are placed in various spots on the stage.
I know that Cassa and Carrie did this. It is intimate, as it should be, but beautiful. The more candles, the more perfect the glow.
Tayla, the bands manager and PR rep who happens to be one of my closest friends, takes the mic. “I never met Kace, but I had the distinct pleasure of befriending her dad over the years. My deepest condolences to you Sam, and you as well Deja and Cordell.” She lights a candle and places it on the stage before taking the mic again. “I would like to invite the band and closest friends to Sam, Thick as Thieves, to the stage for a dedication in Kace’s name.”
There is an applause, but not like at a show. It’s like when someone gives a toast which tonight has been like.
I watch as my closest friends take the stage. Mya to my left, and beside her surrounding the table is Deja, Cordell, Pop, Mark, Ben, Asa, Bright, Raleigh, Carrie, Cassa, Jen, Otto, CD and Kellen. All my people surrounding us as the band plays without the amps on. I love that they want to play acoustically, privately, because she mattered.
There is a piano brought on the stage and three acoustic guitars as the guys take a seat. “Sam, we wanted to play something for you in honor of Kace,” Chad says, as he strums a few chords in between talking. “We can’t begin to know what you feel, but we are always here for you.”
I raise my glass to the guys as they start the beginnings ofLinkin Park’s, ‘One More Light’.
