CHAPTER VIII – THE FUNERAL
The funeral was very black and very solemn. The girls and the Hollises were all in black, the Christmas tree was switched off, and there were no gifts or decoration around the house. Aunt Leonora and uncle Elijah had done that all by themselves. A lot of people came. All the teachers from George Reader's High, in fact. Both generations of Lemonpies had attended that school, so they were dearly loved there. Professor Crescentius Jennings was a class-mate of Lily's grandmother. Professor Magpie, in Kinetics, was Mrs. Lemonpie's favourite teacher. Mr. Lemonpie was Professor Baramova's favourite student, for he was the star in the football team, and a captain. When he was a student there, Professor Baramova was still a very young teacher. Professor Suthern was a personal friend of Leonora with whom he had been in the same class and even on the same desk. Leonora and Sentenelus Suthern shared not only a desk, but also their passion to Chemistry and Alchemy. Leonora was a great lover of decorations, colourful glues, fluorescent liquids, magic-filled sticks for entertainment of children and all that had to do with odour, colour, flavour and magic.
Everybody was there and everything was ready. The two coffins, deep red glossy mahogany only made the girls sadder. The bodies of their parents and grandparents had been brought in the previous afternoon and they had been put in the living room for the mourners to pay their respects. Professor Suthern had arrived the previous night and had stayed in vigilance with the bodies. Lily, Orange and Leonora took turns during the whole night. Lily and Orange stayed together and their uncle came to keep them company so that they will not feel lonely or get too depressed. When they went to sleep Leonora stayed with Suthern. They talked a lot about old days, and Leonora cried a lot. Suthern knew Mr. Lemonpie very well, as he was once a wooer for Leonora's hand, and of course, her older brother was a significant factor. That wooing did not result in anything serious. They used to be so good friends at school, that Sentenelus felt it natural to project that cooperation and friendship further into a family, yet Leonora was a crazy head who defied all rational explanations, and she did not want to get married, but longed for adventure. After school she left all - family and friends, even the country and went away to sail around the world. Her story with Elijah was also curious. They met when she was still at school and he was another contestant for her attention. Elijah was ready to give up all in his life for her. That was how Professor Suthern knew uncle Elijah as well. Unfortunately for Elijah, as well, Leonora did what she did and their marriage got postponed till fifteen years later.
All the rest arrived early in the morning. Lily and Orange did not have any power after their sleepless night. They drank something Professor Suthern gave them and felt better for some time.
"I told you, he's a real magician. He can concoct anything." said Lily to her sister. Orange's look was blank, even though she nodded.
During the service the surviving family – Orange, Lily and Leonora stood in line to accept condolences and everybody came by to pay some. After the tenth person Lily felt dizzy and indifferent. Aunt Leonora was very kind to everybody. She listened to them carefully and always answered something. Lily felt discomfort and she looked at Orange just to see her standing like a doll, in stupor and pale face, eyes fixed in a dot on the opposite wall. Lily felt numb and turned to tell her aunt that something was wrong with Orange. Leonora looked at Orange with anxiety and made a motion to Suthern who came immediately. He touched Orange by the hand and she did not react. He caught her hand and measured her pulse. Then he disappeared in the kitchen. In a while he came back with a glass half-full of some liquid of no colour. He gave it to Leonora who made Orange drink some of it. At first Orange looked as if she was not going to take it, or as if she did not know what to do. But she obeyed her aunt and opened her mouth to the glass. Then Leonora gave the rest to Lily. Immediately, Lily felt much better. All warmth and muscle vividness came back to her body. She turned to see how it worked on Orange and was glad to see that Orange was once again herself.
The whole thing went off like a dream, like a bad dream. The procession of all the mourners dressed in black, filing along the snow-covered path to the graveyard, the deep red coffins glowing with warmth while holding deadly coldness inside filled the picture with grotesqueness. The most terrible moment which cut in Lily's mind like a chisel was when they closed the blankets over the bodies, closed the coffins and lowered them in the ground. That was a moment she could not believe was real and happening. Lily clung to Orange and both of them squeezed each other and whined like lost puppies. Tears were ebbing like fountains, but neither dared to shut her eyes, for fear they would miss the last sight of the material vision of their parents. Coffins lowered, the gravediggers started piling the soil on top of them. The sound of falling dirt that was to cover their mom and pap forever brought the girls to the edge of hysteria. They trembled and shook, mouths opening and shutting, eyes filled with empty terror, nostril twitching. Uncle Elijah and Professor Suthern had to grab them as, for a second it seemed as if they would fall down.
The rest was just the terrible sequel to an already wicked dream.
After the funeral everybody went back to the Lemonpies house, where aunt Leonora and Professor Magpie had laid a long table with snacks and drinks. That was too awful, to Lily's mind, as she felt it weird to eat and drink as if on some sort of celebration. Professor Magpie noticed her mood and took her aside to sooth her.
"Lily, imagine that all the people left all of a sudden and you remained here alone, as you were the night when you arrived. How would you feel then? All of you would be at a loss what to do, and most likely you will be very depressed. That is the main reason for such sociable events – that the closest family will not get too sad immediately after their loss. Not that this will decrease it; it will simply soften it for a short period while you have to attend your guests." and with this Professor Magpie patted gently Lily's shoulder and left her.
The professor was right, Lily felt. She knew she was irritated because she needed to behave in front of all these people. She could not go to her room and cry as much as she wanted. All the guests were speaking good things about her parents and grandparents, they were so kind to her and her sister, that Lily did not dare to be rude. At the same time, however, she only wanted to get rid of them and be able to mourn her full. She stood in a corner near the kitchen door looking nowhere in particular. Orange was busy serving the guests. For a brief second Lily noticed Orange's eyes. They were full of tears and there were wet streaks down Orange's cheeks. Aunt Leonora was very pale. Professor Suthern took her by the hand and led her to a chair to take a seat. Uncle Elijah noticed that and went to his wife. There, Professor Suthern and he exchanged some words and it seemed to Lily that those words were not friendly as they were the previous night when Suthern had arrived. Lily approached the two men and heard her uncle say with irritation, "Sentenelus, if you could just please stay away from my wife? She had lived through enough hardship to need any more confusion." To which Professor Suthern answered, "I am not the one who brought confusion to her life, in the first place, you know, Elijah." Lily did not understand that very well, but she was a clever girl and knowing that Professor Suthern and aunt Leonora used to be best friends throughout school, it was not very difficult to make the calculation. Then she wondered where would this exchange of words get them. Professor Jennings stood up and came to the two men. Lily came a little closer, but the Headmaster's look of warning made her stop and she decided to help Orange serve the drinks.
Lily entered the kitchen and found Orange standing like a statue in front of the refrigerator. It was open and her hand was on the door. Obviously, she had just opened it, most likely with every intention to take something from inside. The reason she had frozen in that position was unclear.
"Orange, baby-sis," said Lily gently. "How are you doing, lil' kitten?" She came to her sister and caressed her hair. Orange's hair was so smooth and glossy, it felt like satin. Orange snapped out of her stupor and said, "I just remembered ho
w Mom and Dad used to stack things in the fridge. See!" and she pointed to the shelves where jars, packets and cans were neatly arranged. On each there was a note written by their mother's scratchy handwriting. Orange used to laugh at her mother for labeling everything in the fridge. Now, she was afraid to look at those labels, for she saw her mother's reproach there.
"No, it's not a reproach. Mom would never reproach you for that. She knew we loved her." said Lily, herself not believing in that. Yet, she felt she had to soothe Orange, for how could they live otherwise.
In a second, their aunt came into the kitchen to look for the drinks that never came out of the fridge. Apparently, Professor Jennings had managed to appease the two men there. Aunt Leonora said softly, "Girls, let's take the drinks out. What's going on? Are you OK?" she asked when she saw the curious and confused looks of the girls. Lily just turned to her sister for help. Orange was still looking at the notes left by her mother. Leonora traced her look and said, "Oh, your mom's fridge labels! Cute!" She grabbed a couple of bottles on a tray and left in a hurry.
Lily sighed, "Oh my God! I think we are getting a great scandal waiting." Orange widened her eyes, "What? Why? How come?"
"Well, I'm not very sure, but I think something just went on between uncle Elijah and Professor Suthern. They were not on friendly terms, if you understand what I mean."
Orange frowned, "Oh, that! Gee, I hoped it won't emerge right now." she shook her head. Lily's curiosity was aroused. "Do you mean to say that you know what is going on between them?" she asked in a hurry.
"Of course, I do. Auntie and the professor were in love, then uncle came by and took her from the professor. Well, he was not a professor back then. Yet, they pretended everything was OK and you know that Suthern is a frequent guest at aunt and uncle's place. I suppose..." she stopped unsure what she supposed.
"Maybe it's the stress." Lily finished Orange's thought.
"Yeah, that's right." Orange confirmed. "Anyway, let's go. Grab another plate of cookies. I'll take these napkins." And, taking things in their hands, the two sisters went into the living room, their faces fresh and flushed with their new curiosity.
In the living room nothing had changed from the moment Orange had left it. All the guests were around the table, taking bites and sips, speaking kindly of the Lemonpies, frequently sighing in sadness and nodding their heads in bitterness. Uncle Elijah was standing close to the table seeing if anybody needed anything, and aunt Leonora was clearing the empty trays. Orange and Lily walked to the table and left what they carried on it. Professor Jennings stood up from his seat and approached the girls before they could disappear back into the kitchen. He caressed Orange by the head and said, "So, this is the younger Miss Lemonpie." After Orange nodded in affirmation, he continued, "I am expecting you at our school next year, Miss Lemonpie." Then he turned to Lily, "And you, Miss Lemonpie, are free to come back anytime comfortable for you. You have your place with us, as you know very well and I can assure you that everybody back at the school is waiting for you." He turned to go back to his seat and then suddenly remembered something, "Oh, and Miss Lemonpie," adding, because both looked at him, "Lily, I believe Professor Baramova has something to tell you."
He waved to Professor Baramova to come and sat down. The sports teacher approached the girls and taking a curious look at Orange, she said, "Lily, in case you decide to take a longer holidays, let's say until March, you need to appoint a temporary captain for the team. Think of it and let me know before the end of January." Lily's eyes got a sharp look to them and she was ready to get offended. "Wait," spoke Professor Baramova, "I believe you had better rest until March, at least. Take your time and come back in March. Your friends and the teachers will keep you up-to-date with what is going on there. You will not miss much. The Headmaster promised you will be arranged a separate examination session, to match your degree of attendance. Right now, my advice is to stay with your sister and help her out of this. How is she going to live without you? Can you imagine that?"
"Orange," Leonora called her from the other end of the room, "please, join me." Orange left Lily's side and felt angry. She and Lily had lost their beloved parents, their ultimate protectors and here they were – all day attending some strangers, serving them, cajoling them and trying to be nice hostesses, as they were serve maids in their parents' home. No one seemed to take any notice of them, they were part of the "staff" it seemed. She felt like an orphan all too fast. That made her miserable and angry. Halfway to the other end of the room, Orange stopped short and turned sharply towards Lily. Her sister caught her look, apologized to the teacher and came to her.
"What is it, baby-sis?" asked Lily.
Suddenly furious because of that name, instead of complaining to her sister, Orange just hissed wickedly, "I told you to stop calling me that! Go away! I don't want to see you." and she ran outside.
Everybody was silent. Elijah shook his head at Leonora reproachfully and, taking Orange's coat and shawl, ran out after her. Leonora blushed and, blinking in embarrassment, stepped towards the entrance door, not daring to follow. Professor Suthern looked at Leonora with tenderness and made a step towards her, but the Headmaster said, "Sentenelus, sit down, please. The family are mourning. We need to leave them alone in their sadness." The professor stood up and the others followed, "Dear colleagues, I believe it is high time we left. Our school also needs us. Leonora, dear, I can't tell you how sorry I am for your loss. Take care! And take care of the girls. I want Lily back soon and well." With this he winked at Lily and went towards the door to take his coat. All the teachers came by Lily and Leonora to say "bye" and "take care", and taking their coats, they left one by one. The school bus was waiting outside. Lily and her aunt stood at the threshold and waved until the bus was lost from sight. It was already dusk, but it would not get real dark for the snow that glowed around.
Then, there were several more guests left, neighbours who also stood up to go. They left in twos and threes, as they had come and wished the family "all the best, as far as possible." They all lived nearby, so they walked away.
Lily and her aunt entered the house again, thinking where Orange and Elijah might have gone. Suddenly, Lily realised that most probably her sister had wanted to go to the Christmas tree they decorated each winter. She asked Leonora, "Did they decorate the other tree?" Leonora was not sure, but Lily insisted they would go and check. She knew exactly where the tree was and, although the dusk was inhibiting their view, they grabbed torchlights and set out for the forest.
When they entered the forest it grew dark very fast. Their torchlights worked well and made weird bluish shafts amidst the forest mist. Lily felt anxiety creep up her spine, but despite that she shouted, "Orange, uncle Elijah, where are you?" She made a short pause, then turned to another direction, put her palms on the side of her mouth and yelled again, "Are you OK? Where are you? Say something!"
For about ten minutes they walked and shouted from time to time, until they reached the Christmas tree. It was decorated and all alight in beauty and glory. Lily and Leonora stopped there to enjoy the view. Leonora was amazed how magnificent it was. Orange and Elijah, however, were nowhere around. Leonora started calling her husband and her niece as well, but for about quarter of an hour they simply walked and shouted without receiving any answer. The two started to get worried. Lily said, "They left a long time ago. We lost some time in seeing the guests off. We should have found them by now."
"Where could they have gone?" asked Leonora. "Is there anywhere else you used to go with my brother?" Lily was thinking. Then she said, "Not in the winter. I can't think of anything."
They started making widening circles around the Christmas tree and kept on calling Orange and Elijah. Suddenly, maybe half an hour later, it seemed to Lily she could hear Orange's faint voice. "Shht!" She said, "I believe this is Orange. Can you hear it?"
Leonora listened carefully, "Yes, it is her. Which direction does it come from?"
Lily asked, "Shall we spl
it up to cover larger area?"
"No, since we are only two. One must never remain alone." said Leonora.
"OK, let's go in this direction then." and she led.
"Wait," said Leonora, "Sentenelus gave me something which may help now." She took a small flask from her purse and opened it. It contained some kind of cream which she applied on the front glass of their torchlights and they threw not simply shafts of light, but the whole forest in front was alight. It was not daylight, yet it was good enough to create certain comfort for them.
"I wish it could keep us warm, as well." smiled Lily.
"That would be perfect." agreed Leonora. "Well, maybe you will devise one like that."
"Oh, auntie, I've never told you, but, sadly, Alchemy and chemistry is not my favourite subject and I'm not good at it at all."
"Which one then?" asked her aunt.
"Kinetics."
"Oh, really?" exclaimed Leonora. "Just like your mother."
"That's right." said Lily.
By this time Orange appeared from among the trees. She was in great distress and alone.
"Uncle Elijah had an accident," she almost shrieked.