The next couple of days are a blur. I don’t know what I was thinking, I guess I thought the funeral would take place at the farm but it wasn’t. A funeral home came to pick up the body to prepare it for burial. I read in the paper the next day that he died in a hunting accident, charges would not be filed as it was an accident (per the district attorney). Dolly sent an e-mail to the other Packs that an accident has happened and she will be the Alpha for the time being.
My mom made five trays of lasagna to take out to Dolly. I try talking her out of making the drive all the way to their house but she is a stubborn woman and insists to pay respect in person. A sigh of relief when I realize that humans will be around too, he was a big part of the community, of course they’ll want to come over. When we get to the house there are cars lined up and down the drive, at least fifteen all with out of state plates.
The family knew that non weres will be visiting so everyone is on ‘human’ behavior orders. I’d never been around when they weren’t allowed to be themselves, it seems very subdued. I notice a table cloth draped over the poker table; it is white with green and gold Celtic knot stitching around the borders. On the table is a bottle from his prized collection of 25 year old Chivas Regal and plastic shot glasses. I watch as a man I don’t know approaches the table, pouring himself a shot and said, ‘Here’s to you old friend. Rest in peace.”
My mom and Dolly talked for the next hour while I sat with Pru and a few local farmers that does business with the family. Pru dressed in black from head to toe, her beautiful eyes swollen with dark circles. Her usual tough demeanor hidden behind the sadness, her tears coming and going in waves. Oakley sitting at her side comforting her the best he can. The air starts feeling really thick to me, I’m so hot. I look around to see if anyone else is fanning themselves, everyone looks comfortable. I grab a bottle of water and go outside to get some air.
A few minutes later Parker came over and takes the seat next to me. “This must be hard on you,” he said, to me.
I slap at a mosquito that tries to take a drink out of my arm. “No harder than it is on everyone else. Tell me something, what happened out there? Did you find a rogue that was in with vamps?” I ask.
“We never saw anyone. The guys that he had me pick up before we left, none of them were involved, trust me… they would have talked after the persuasion tactics we did.” He shook his head back and forth, hanging it low. “I don’t know, I really don’t. I need you to be quiet about that meeting, it is just between us. Everyone will know that I’ve been helping the Pack by looking for evidence but they can’t know that we met with you. His involvement with the you know what, can’t be divulged.”
I nodded in agreement. I am still hot but the wind is helping me catch my breath.
“I know you think I was hard on you, but I had to be certain of you. I had to know you could handle it.” He finishes off the beer he has in his hand.
“Well? What do you think?” I ask him.
“You did good kid. You did good. I’ll catch you on the flip side. I can’t handle all of this sadness, I’ve got to get outta here. I’ll see you soon.” Parker stood up and dusts off his pants. “You know where to find me.”
I watched as he walked out to his car and left.
The weeks following the funeral go by quickly. Allie is coming home for a visit, she is staying with us since she is only coming in for the weekend. I wonder about her relationship with Arien, and pray it is finally over. Pru was edgy, she was all business, nothing more, nothing less. Oakley and I talked every day; he told me she was having night terrors that were keeping her from sleeping. He told me to just be cool with her and she’ll get through this eventually. I hoped so, she was a little bitchy.
My hot flashes, as I commonly refer to them, are happening more often. I don’t tell Pru in fear she will bite my head off for not telling her sooner. My fear for my family is tenfold after watching the Phelan Pack mourn. Call me selfish, but I want to keep my family.