Bob awoke to the sound of someone beating on the door. He looked at the clock.....7:30. Bob knew there was only one person who would get him up at 7:30 in the morning.
“BOB OPEN THIS DOOR!” Scott screamed from outside. “I KNOW YOUR IN THERE!”
Much to Bob’s surprise it was Scott, he thought it was Clint. He lazily walked to the door and opened it. Scott looked at Bob who was half asleep and scratching his head.
“Hey, good morning,” Scott said cheerfully. As he walked in he noticed that there was only one bed that had been slept in. Sarah was still sleeping in one of them. Scott spun around with his mouth wide open.
“Would you mind explaining this to me?” Scott asked as he waved his hands over Sarah’s bed.
“No no no no!” Bob said in a loud whisper. “It’s not what it looks like. See last night Sarah poured water on me and it not only soaked me but it soaked my bed. She refused to let me sleep on the floor so we slept in the same bed. Nothing happened,” Bob blurted out as fast as he could. Scott began to laugh.
“Bob relax! you look like your about to have a nervous breakdown,” Scott laughed. His laughter woke Sarah up and she rubbed her eyes.
“Good morning Sleeping Bueaty! How was your night?” Scott laughed.
“Huh?” Sarah sleepliy replied.
“Get out Scott!” Bob demanded as he pushed his brother out the door and slamed it in his face.
“Hey, what’s up with that?” Scott yelled with his hand pointing to the door.
Bob walked over to Sarah who was just beginning to regain her sight. He stared at her in her white tank top with ‘Sleep like a baby’ printed on the front.
“Cute pj’s,” he commented.
“What? Oh these? Thanks,” she said as she sat up. She looked in his eyes and remembered the night before. She loved being held by him, it felt so good to have someone just hug her and hold her as she let all of her emotions out. She stood up on her knees and wrapped her arms around his neck and began to cry again.
“I want to thank you for last night, that meant more to me then you will ever know. Your such a special person to me. Thank you so much,” Sarah sobbed. He held her tightly and felt her shoulders thrust from her heavy crying.
“You don’t have to thank me Sarah. I’m just glad I could be there for you,” Bob said as he softly patted her back. Slowly her sobs lessened and soon they were just sitting hugging eachother. Sarah took a deep breath and removed her arms from Bob’s neck.
“I should take my shower. It’s almost time to leave,” Sarah quietly stood up and grabbed her dress. She walked into the bathroom and turned on the shower.
The funeral was at St. Rose’s Catholic Chruch. It was a bueatiful church and a beautiful ceremony, but it wasn’t enough for Sarah. For Sarah, this wasn’t closure. She knew what she wanted to do after the ceremony. She wanted her own time with her aunt, and nothing was going to stop her. After the ceremony Sarah and Bob crept back inside the church. They now stood at the top of the aisle, hand in hand. Sarah slowly walked down the aisle with Bob watching her. She walked onto the alter and pressed play on the cd player. ‘Wind Beneath My Wings’ began to echo through the church. Sarah took the brass case that was holding Mari Jo’s ashes and held the case close to her chest and began to sob. Bob walked down the aisle and sat down next to Sarah. He placed his hand on her shoulder.
“Go ahead Sarah,” Bob encouraged her as he took her hand in his. She sqeezed his hand for strength, then began her goodbye.
“Hey M.J.! Hows heaven? Make sure God gives you a lot of glass hearts and make sure you put on all the parties because your the best at that. I can’t tell you how much I love you and miss you. I hope your out of pain, which I’m sure you are. Julie is going to have a tough time without you. She loved you so much, she always said that you were her best friend. I’ll help her through boy troubles, and I’ll take care of anyone who messes with her feelings. And then theres little Andria. Geeze M.J. she’s six! Why? Why now? I guess I’m kind of angry. What you did was so selfish! Think of your daughters Julie and Andria. How are they going to take this? They loved you so much. But I’m not that angry. I just love you so much. There is something I want you to know. And that’s how much I admired you and still do. You were so strong, upbeat and fun. We had the best times I’ve ever had in my life. But most of all I want you to know how bueatiful you were. You truly were the most bueatiful woman alive, at least in my eyes. My goal in life is to be just like you, and although I know I will never live up to you. To end this farewell I would like to dedicate ‘Wind Beneath My Wings’ to you, my hero. I love you M.J.! Goodbye,” Sarah sobbed. She turned to Bob and buried her face in his chest. She clutched the brass case and whispered, “I was blessed because I was loved by her, Bob.”
“I know Sarah, I know,” Bob whispered.
