Wide Open spaces

Chapter 13

As we came closer to the service, I became more nervous. I bounced my leg up and down and started to bite my finger nails trying to distract myself. A hand rested on my knee to stop me from moving it and another grabbed my hand and squeezed it. I looked at Dylan and he gave me a sad smile, one that I returned. I rested my head on Dylan’s shoulder and closed my eyes. 

“It’s going to be fine I promise.” Was the last thing I heard before I fell asleep.

Hands shook me awake and I looked around wearily. Hundreds of people surrounded the area of where we were. I sat up properly and rubbed my hands over my eyes. Dylan still sat in the car but James and Noah didn’t.  I yawned loudly and went back to resting my head on Dylan’s shoulder. 

“Hey, don’t go to sleep. Once James gets back we have to leave.” Dylan nudged me in the ribs. I winced and breathed in trying not to make to much noise from the pain.

“Oh my god Bibi. I’m so sorry.” Dylan said flustered after he muttered a few profanities under his breath.

“It’s fine, just please don’t do that again. Deal?” I groaned

“Deal!” 

A knock at the window made Dylan’s face go serious and we turned to see James there. Dylan opened the door and got out. I sat in the car wanting to do something, I looked out the tinted window and saw a picture of my father on a banner hanging high on a wall. Tears brimmed in the corner of my eye as I looked at the smiling face of my father. The back door of the car opened and I heard James grab the wheelchair out of the back. He walked around the side of the car and opened the door. Dylan stood next to James as they waited for me to slide over to the edge of the seat. Dylan helped me into the wheelchair and we started to walk over to all the people. Whispers erupted as we got closer to the crowd. I dropped my head and started to play with my fingers not wanting to look at all the people starring at me. The crowd parted as Dylan took me through all of the people. The whispering became louder and I heard bits of the conversations. 

“That’s Johns daughter.” One said.

“What happened her? She looks like a mess.” A mans voice spoke from beside me. Dylan stopped pushing me and I looked up to see a stage with bunches of flowers around the same photo of my dad. There were rows of seat and we sat in the front row. I turned around to see a couple of rows filled the area and then the rest was standing. Police officers filed into the seat behind me. 

“Can everyone please quiet down.” Said a voice from the stage. I looked up to see Sergeant Moore up on the stage. He stood in front of the podium and waiting for silence to seize upon us. 

“Thank-you, We are gathered he today to mourn the loss of a Son, husband, father and friend. John was a man that showed great courage and didn’t hesitate to help others. His job is important and dangerous, this danger is what took such a well known man away from us. A reading from Philippians-3:15-16. Following Paul’s Example.All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained.NowI believe Abigail Brown, Johns daughter, is here and would like to say a few words.” Sergeant Moore stepped down off the stage and walked over to me. 

“Are you still fine to do this Abigail?” I nodded my head and Dylan picked me up to carry me on stage.

“You don’t have to do this Dylan.” I told him as he carried me up the stairs.

“Well I would like to see you get up here yourself.” He replied. He placed me down on the wooden floor but kept one hand around my waist to steady me. I looked out into the crowd and took a deep breath.