~*Chapter Seven*~
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to celebrate the life of Kayti McClelland. Kayti was a child full of love, sharing it with anyone and everyone who came into her life. She truly was a angel, and we shall never forget her," Father Michael spoke in a quiet voice, more than aware of the pain in the room. He looked around at the mourners, some sobbing quietly, others loudly, and others simply staring, disbelieving. Nickolas Carter was one such mourner, and Father Michael’s heart felt for the young boy who had to so quickly become a man at the tender age of 17. Father Michael noted that Nick was surrounded by a group of young men and women, all of whom looked equally upset by the tragedy. He knew that this group was close, and he hoped that Nick would receive a great deal of support from his friends. Father Michael began to speak again.
"If there is anyone here who would like to share their memories of Kayti, please feel welcome to the microphone up here with me." Father Michael stepped away from the podium, glancing around. He noticed a young girl begin to make her way up to the podium.
"Kayti was my best friend," Faye said quietly. She took a deep breath, and looked out at the crowd of people.
"She never … never… umm, she never…" Faye broke into a sob, and Kevin came up to the stadium to stand with her. She looked at him gratefully, and took a deep breath. She began again.
"Kayti never let anyone push her around. Her strength was what I admired most about her. She was amazingly strong, and resilient. No matter what was said, she stuck to her beliefs, and never let anyone dissuade her from what she wanted to do. I’ll never forget her, because she was everything that I wanted to be. Her memory will live on forever in my heart, and I’m sure in many others. Kayti, if you can hear me, I want you to know that I love you girl, and I want you to watch over everyone here, because we all love you, and want you back."
Faye stood down from the podium shaking. Kevin held her tightly, and supported her as she made her way back to her seat. She looked at Nick as she passed him, and reached out to touch his shoulder. She whispered," She’s here Nick. I can feel her" and moved to her seat. Nick stared ahead, not looking at Faye, because he knew that if he did, the tears that had been threatening to spill down his cheeks would fall.
Aaron stood up from his seat next to Nick, and made his way up to the podium. A young boy, obviously scared, Aaron held his head high, and faced the mourners.
"I only knowed Kayti for a little bit," he began, his voice shaking. "But she was the nicest person I ever knowed. There was nothing bad about her, ‘cos she was perfect. She wasn’t just pretty outside, she was pretty inside too. And I know that Nick loves her, I know that everyone here loves her, cos I do too. Kayti I promise that I will be singer like Nick too, just like you said I would be." The brave little boy seemed oblivious to the tears racing down his cheeks as he stood down from the microphone and made his way back to his seat.
Father Michael paused, reflecting on Aaron’s touching speech. He then looked out at the rest of the crowd, and asked," Any one else?"
Nick stood up slowly. A gasp echoed from the back of the hall. He carefully made his way up to the podium, and stood looking out over everyone, before he began to speak.
"I know what everyone wants me to say. I know what I want to say. But what I feel is so much different. I feel… like this is my fault. I mean … we all know how Kayti …died. And I can’t help but feel that if I had done something more to stop her, that she would still be here with me. I can’t help but feel like this is my fault. And …and … I’m sorry, I-I- I didn’t mean for it to happen. I didn’t want her to die, I didn’t want her to leave. I didn’t…" he trailed off, the tears that had been threatening finally spilling down his face.
Aaron stood up from his seat, and made his way over to his big brother. He reached up for Nick’s hand, sliding his tiny palm into his brothers larger one. Nick looked down at Aaron, and saw a flicker of pain cross his little brother’s face. Nick reached down and picked Aaron up for a hug, and whilst Aaron’s arms were wrapped around his neck, Nick turned and faced the mourners once again.
"Kayti will always be special to me. She knows that, and I know that, and now you all know that. I’ll always love her, and that’s what makes my life so special. I was given the opportunity to love an angel who flew down from Heaven and touched all our lives in a special way. I’ll always be grateful that she touched my life in an extra special way. I love you Kayti."
He walked down from the podium, Aaron still in his arms. Kayti’s parents smiled shyly at Nick from the front pew, and Nick acknowledged them with a small nod.
Nick sat Aaron down on his seat, and then made his way out of the chapel. Brian quietly got up, and followed Nick.
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