He shook free from the memories of those days from the theater of his mind.
Georgia picked Jaymes up from her home after having tended to some errands. The funeral was scheduled for one in the afternoon, and Jaymes decided to wear a collared button down white shirt, a simple charcoal and silver patterned tie, contrasting with a black wool double-breasted suit. His face showed a couple days growth of a beard, and his well-trimmed mustache was, extending over the top of his lip. Georgia chose to wear a black conservative dress, her hair worn down, and as Jaymes regarded her for a moment, he found her attractive.
“You’ve been awfully quiet since we left the house,” Georgia said, focusing on the road, the tires humming along the pavement of the new asphalt the city had spent months repairing. “You okay?” They were a few minutes away from the church.
“Was just thinking is all,” he replied quietly. “I still can’t believe she’s gone,” he finished. “The last few days were just…just…hard, I guess.” He looked out the passenger’s window. Vehicles were moving along the main thoroughfare. Georgia made a left onto a residential street. Jaymes caught a glimpse of a man helping a young woman with some groceries into a modest home. Rounding the first sharp corner, Georgia made a sharp right onto Fern Street, and within moments, the First Baptist Church appeared. It was the kind of church one would expect to find out in the country setting. The church was surrounded by newly built single story houses.
Jaymes fidgeted in the passenger seat, suddenly feeling uncomfortable and out of place as Georgia pulled into the parking lot, searching for an open space. Locating an empty parking stall, she pulled the vehicle in and cuts the engine. The two of them sat in silence.
“I guess we’re here,” Jaymes finally said, breaking the somber silence between the two. Georgia took his hand between hers. Her hands were soft and warm, firm with strength from years of carrying plates of food. She leaned over, placed a gentle kiss on his cheek.
“It’s time, Jay.” She smiled as tears sparkled in her eyes. Jaymes smiled weakly and squeezed her hand in his. The two of them exited the vehicle, and as he had come around to the driver’s side of her car, he noticed Ellyn’s Parents.
Ellyn’s parents were a very well to do couple. Mr. Hadean had invested in some stock with an up and coming wireless company, as well as a software company in California. He had retired and enjoyed the residual returns of those investments. An older gentleman, he was of average height. He stood five-eight, possessing a stocky build, reminding Jaymes of a college football and rugby player. Mrs. Hadean was a few inches shorter. In heels, she barely towered over her husband. She was a chunky lady, wearing the kind of glasses that were too big for her face, with wandering eyes. The kind of eyes that reminded you of an old librarian who seemed to live in the dusty quiet moratorium of books. Her hair was a bushel of white curls as she carried her meaty frame much like that of her husband: tall, secure and confident. Both presented a façade of aristocratic personification that Jaymes could see right through.
Jaymes watched as the older couple approached him, sizing him up “Mr. and Mrs. Hadean.” He politely offered his hand. Mr. Hadean just stared at it with disgust, grunting.
“Once my daughter is buried, we will be glad to not have anything to do with you.” Their animosity toward him deeper than before. Jaymes retreated his hand away quickly, the hangover still lingering as he tried to moisten his dry mouth.
“I just wanted to offer my condolences to you.”
“Duly noted.” Mr. Hadean turned away from him, taking his wife by the arm and escorting her up to the church entrance. Jaymes shook his head solemnly. What could he expect from her parents? They despised him marrying Ellyn. He watched Desiree approach with a strangely familiar gentleman, clinging to his arm, almost hugging him. Ellyn’s mother took the gentleman in her arms, kissing both sides of his cheek.
“Jacob, Mr. Hadean and I are wondering if there is anything we could do for you?” Mrs. Hadean said, her voice cracking with emotion. Mr. Hadean shook the gentleman’s hand. Jaymes didn’t know what to think, but was a gentleman, given the situation.
“Sorry to hear about Ellyn. She was a wonderful lady.” Jacob spoke through a hollow voice, dripping with venom and anger.
“Jacob, my condolences to you.” Jaymes attempted to offer his hand, much as he offered to Mr. Hadean, being as polite as he could. “Ellyn was definitely a wonderful lady.”
“I still despise you. Despise what you did to Ellyn and I!” Jacob clenched both hands into balled fists, attempting to smile with a look of hatred in his eyes. A man of strength, towering over Jaymes. At one time, he used to be a weightlifter as he tensed his muscles, his arms crossed. The shirt seemed to strain against his well-defined arms, choking his skin. He had long black hair tied back in a ponytail. His face was square, with stubble of a beard. His blue eyes were dull and are slightly set back in their sockets.
“I just don’t understand what it was Ellyn ever saw in you,” he continued, spittle showering from Jacob. “First, you take her from me, convincing her that I couldn’t give her what she wanted, and now, here we are.” He paused, stepping forward slightly, uncrossing his python like arms. “And all because of you, she took her own life.”
“Jacob, let’s get inside, mom and dad are waiting for us.” Desiree spoke up, tugging onto his steel arms. Jaymes did not back away as Jacob stepped close enough to where they were almost face-to-face. Reluctantly, Jacob followed Desiree into the church as she led the way. Jaymes suddenly felt like an outsider at his wife’s funeral, especially since Desiree showed up with Jacob. Standing there, Jaymes shook his head, trembling with adrenaline until a familiar voice distracted him, causing him to turn.
Georgia and Megan were standing a few feet away. Mr. and Mrs. Hadean had left when they greeted Jacob with friendly parental care. Jaymes had forgotten Georgia was there with him. He was so engrossed with the confrontation with Ellyn’s parents, then Jacob that he had forgotten that Georgia had excused herself from him to greet Megan. Wondering how long the two ladies were there, he approached them. They were the only two people with whom he could talk with. Jaymes then noticed Mickey Chandler coming up along the sidewalk, smoking a cigarette, the three of them watch as Chandler sidled up next to Megan, the two exactly the same height.
“You okay?” Georgia asked.
“Yeah, guess I won’t be getting that family barbecue invitation today. And I can’t believe Ellyn’s ex is here. He must have cleaned himself up over the years ‘cause he looks so different now than when I had first met him.” Before anyone else could respond, a deep baritone voice interrupted the small congregation.
“Jay.” Jaymes turned at the call of his name and noticed the lanky, suave walk of Mitchell as he approached. “I heard about what happened.” He and Jaymes hugged, “I’m truly sorry for your loss, my friend.” Wearing a white shirt, a black jacket and black slacks, Mitchell stood the same height as Jaymes. His face was rigid and square, exposing a distinct Italian heritage. His dark wavy hair was cut short.
“Mitch, I haven’t seen you in ages.” Jaymes hugged him again. “She really is gone this time, Mitch.” Jaymes fell apart in the man’s arms. Jaymes had met Mitch through Ellyn when Ellyn and Jaymes had first started getting serious about one another.
“I know what you are going through my friend.” He wiped a tear from his crystal green eyes. “I loved her too.”
“It’s so good to be here among friends,” Jaymes said. “Mitch, Jacob is here, so is Desiree and her parents. Mostly, people who didn’t want to have anything to do with her because of me. So, things are a bit awkward.”
“Jay, don’t worry about it. You know in your heart she’s here with you.” He gently patted his chest. “And she would want you to be here. You always were there for her, even in the most awkward and trying times of her life. That was what won her back to you.” Mitch spoke softly, deeply. Jaymes looked into the man’s eyes for the first time, he found Mitch attractive in a way he could not explain. He then glanced at his watch.
“The service is about to start,” Jaymes sighed heavily. All five of them abandoned the church parking lot, and into the church.
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