GEN II: Chapter 23

The next morning Hayden and the boys realized how different life was going to be without Jenni. The things she always did in the morning before they got up were taken more for granted than they realized. There were no fresh pancakes or waffles ready when they came down from their showers, and the laundry was not collected from the rooms.

Each of them sat down to a plate of leftover cake, because no one felt like cooking. Thinking about Jenni not being there had brought sadness among them again. It felt like they would never make it without her.

After their makeshift breakfast, Cedric pulled his father aside and told him of plans for the day.

"I know you said you weren't sure if you wanted to hold a service for Grandma," Cedric said. "But I feel we have to honor her and giver her at least that much. She meant a lot to a lot of people dad, not just us."

"I know son, but I just do not have the energy anymore. I don't think I could handle it."

"Well you have three young men here to help you out you know. You do not have to do everything yourself. We are here for you." Cedric argued. "...James and I have already made arrangements for a service to be held for her at one of her favorite places. Charlie put everything in place already. It is already done, all you have to do is show up. Will you?"

Hayden's eyes moistened, and nearly overflowed at the thought of his boys taking over and taking care of what he couldn't. He couldn't speak. All he could do was nod. Hayden's silent agreement was understood by Cedric and he took his father upstairs to get ready.

The family piled into the car when they were ready and went off to Jenni's funeral. Hayden couldn't help it, he let his tears fall when he noticed where his late wife's service was to be held. It was the public garden. Cedric was right, it was one of her favorite places, though she didn't have time to visit as much as she would have liked.

"This is wonderful boys, thank you. Thank you so much." Hayden told his sons as they got out and greeted the arriving guests.

Each guest brought their condolences to the grieving family and some offered help if they should need it. A few people were overheard talking of this being the perfect place for the service. Everyone knew about Jenni's love for gardening.

Chase, since he is naturally so aloof, remained away from the crowd as much as he could, but as close to his mother as he could as well. He mourned for her as much as anyone, maybe more. She always made it clear how much he was wanted, and loved by all, though he thought opposite sometimes.

The service lasted most of the day, people coming and going. Offering good wishes to the family and even some brought gifts.

By the time the sun was setting it seemed like everyone who was going to show up had, and left. James volunteered to collect her Urn and bring it back home. He paused just before and harvested a nearby plant because he felt like he needed to, though unsure where this feeling came from. He gathered the vegetables and thought of Jenni. He then picked up her Urn as carefully as he could and went back to the house.

Charlie and Cedric were not ready to go home yet, so went to the park to air themselves off a little more. They just didn't seem ready to go back to that full, yet empty house. It was different now that their grandmother was gone.

Charlie was on his way to a bench to sit when he noticed a very pretty girl. His plan was to just walk past her to the bench but she stopped him.

"Your Charlie Fuller right? I heard it was your birthday today, congratulations!" She told him.

"Oh, uh... thanks. That's nice of you, thank you." Charlie muttered, half embarrassed. Being well known sometimes had it's drawbacks in a small town like Twinbrook. "You are...?"

"OH I'm sorry, where are my manners?" She cried, a little flustered. "My name is Angela, I'm actually a tourist here, I'm visiting from Sunset Valley."

"It's nice to meet you." Charlie said. Just then he was interrupted by his brother.

A little more forward than Charlie was, Cedric offered his hand and introduced himself to this dashing woman. Immediately they started into conversation. It was just the distraction Charlie needed, he faded into the background and then disappeared all together. Charlie didn't really want company right now.

Cedric and Angela talked for quite a while, he even went so far as to flirt with her a little bit. Then he found out she was a tourist, not living here. That didn't really stop him from flirting though. It seemed that Cedric had found an outlet for his grief. Flirting with a stranger made him feel better, he briefly forgot about the pain. He even cried on her shoulder, just so he could get closer to her. She did not seem to mind all that much. The two of them chatted for just a little bit longer when Cedric bid her farewell. It was time to rejoin his family.

Charlie and Cedric went home to Hayden, Isabel and James. They each sat in silence doing nothing for a while, then went to bed. Tomorrow began a new day, different from any other they had experienced.