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Her Sister’s Funeral

Bill Tope

On the day of her sister’s funeral, long after the service,
Bailey sat in the rain while the workmen backfilled
Emily’s grave. In deference to Bailey, the men said
Nothing. Only their shovels made whispering sounds
As they moved the soil. Four dozen metal folding
Chairs had been set up to accomodate the
Mourners but they were now empty and slick and
Shiny with the rain. Bailey watched plumes of her
Frosty breath as she exhaled on the frigid February
Afternoon.

How could Emily have died, wondered Bailey for the
Hundreth time. She had been only seventeen, two years
Younger than Bailey, and an honors student in her high
School, where she had been a senior. In just three
Months, Emily would have graduated and joined her
Sister at college. She had planned to study nursing,
Like Bailey.

But Bailey knew exactly how her sister had died. She had
Accepted a ride on the back of her mother’s boyfriend,
Chris’s motorcycle. Emily was afraid of motorcycles,
Absolutely refused to ride them. Unlike Bailey, Emily
Was rather timid. And Chris, Bailey knew, was forever
On Emily’s back to “open up” and “experience life” and
All that nonsense. He was always trying to change the
Girls into something resembling their mother, she
Supposed. What was up with that?

Chris had seemed alright, a good companion to their
Mother and he hadn’t been a bad guy. He had a sort
Of endearing goofiness. He was tall and had coarse red
Hair and a really ugly red beard and Clark Kent glasses.
When he and Mom were going out, he’d say stuff like,
“Don’t smoke crack and don’t burn the house down.”

He had finally convinced her little sister to ride along with
Him and then, on icy streets, Chris was showing off on his
Bike, taking turns too fast, and the bike spilled over. Emily’s
Helmet wasn’t fastened properly—and that too was Chris’s
Fault—and it came off when she fell. She struck her head
On the pavement. It was horrible. At the funeral home
They had had a closed casket.

Chris had barely a scratch, but Bailey’s precious sister and
Best friend, was killed instantly. Her mother was stricken, but
She never blamed Chris, maintaining that it was a “call from
God.” What bullshit, thought Bailey bitterly. She knew who was
Responsible. Damn him. And Chris and her mom were set to
Get married after Emily left for school, and finally settle down,
But for Bailey, things would never, ever be the same again.
Bailey hated Chris and by extension her mother, his enabler,
His apologist, his piece of ass!

Bailey shook her head. She could never go back to that house,
It was no longer her home. Chris had practically taken over,
Insinuating himself into their lives over the past three years. He
Had already driven her brother Brandon from the home. Two
Years older than Bailey, he was living across town with his
Girlfriend. Bailey would catch her train for school tonight and
Never return. She was on a full scholarship and didn’t need
Anything from them. She wouldn’t even say good-bye, she
Vowed. The wind was stirring up; Bailey felt cold and she
Huddled closer inside her jacket.

She dissolved in tears, her rage giving way to sorrow. She
Had thought she was cried out. Everyone cried, all the time.
Except for Chris. She hadn’t seen him shed a single tear and
Worse, he had never taken responsibility for the accident; he’d
Never once even said he was sorry! For that she couldn’t,
Wouldn’t forgive him. Ever. And dismay gave way to anger
Once more.

She looked up suddenly and there, pinioned against the
Darkening sky like a statue, stood a man, tall, in a green Army
Jacket and with coarse red hair, a really ugly red beard: Chris.
“Bailey?” he said softly. She turned away. He stood before her.
“What do you want, Chris?” she spat bitterly. “I came for you; your
Mom’s worried,” he replied. “I don’t care,” she said harshly.
“I hate you!” She bared her teeth. “I know,” he said quietly.
“So do I.” She startled a little, looked up at him suspiciously.

“Ever since the accident,” he added, I’ve hated everything about
Me.” “Are you going to get your bike fixed?” she asked with a touch
Of cruelty. He shook his head no. “No, even sad old dogs like me
Can learn new tricks. I just pray it’s not too late.” “Don’t worry,
Mom’s forgiven you already,” she said spitefully. “She knows I’d
Never purposely do anything to hurt someone she loved.
Someone I love.” She glanced quickly up at him again. “You really
Do love her, don’t you, Chris?” she asked, almost desperately.
“I love you all,” he answered. “And I loved Emily. And Bailey: I.
Am. So. Sorry!”

She peered closely at him. There were tears brimming in his sky-
Blue eyes, which were easily his best feature. Bailey took a deep,
Shuddering breath, said, “I believe you, Chris.” With tears continuing
To leak from his eyes, he held out his big hand. “Let’s go home,
Bailey.” They walked, hand in hand, from the cemetary just as the
Light rain transformed into large, beautiful flakes of snow.

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