"You have fun spending time with Jacob?" Liz asked Marley as she walked into the house.
Marley hesitated at first but spoke up.
"Yes. We had an amazing time together, Liz."
"Mhm... So what did y'all do?"
"We watched a movie and ordered out.."
"What did y'all watch?"
"Why are you asking me so many questions?"
"I'm just making sure you guys didn't do anything you weren't supposed to."
Marley got nervous and walked upstairs to get dressed.
She sat on the bed and waited for Liz to come behind her.
Since Marley left most of her belongings at her old house they got thrown away. Thankfully Liz had a daughter who was more than welcome to share her clothes with Marley while she was away at college.
"I'm sorry for walking away like that, Liz."
"It's okay sweetheart. I know the feeling."
"What feeling?"
"When an adult confronts you about sex."
"I don't know what you're talking about.."
"I was your age once, Marley. I know the signs. You don't have to hide anything from me."
"I should've just came right out and said it! I knew it was obvious.."
Liz chuckled and grabbed a black dress from out of her daughters closet.
"Here baby girl, try this one on. I'll be right back."
Marley took the dress of the hanger and took off her clothes. As she was taking off her pants a note slipped out of it.
She picked it up and read it.
Marley,
I had an amazing night with you and I was wondering if after today, you'd like to go to dinner with me and my mother? Let me know after the funeral. Love you.
Signed, Jacob
Marley was smiling ear to ear but her heart was pounding as she had the thought of meeting Jacob's mother.
Marley put the note down and put the dress on. She was waiting on Liz to come back in and zip it up for her.
She looked at herself in the mirror and shyly smiled.
Liz snuck behind her and rubbed her shoulder.
"You look beautiful, honey."
Marley smiled and ruffled her hair as Liz zipped the dress up for her.
"We both look amazing." Marley said.
"Let's get you some shoes. Do you know how to walk in heels?" Liz asked.
"Maybe.. I'm not sure."
Marley used to try on her mothers heels when she was younger and walk around in them. Her mother, being the women that she was, had six inch stiletto heels.
Liz handed Marley four inch pumps.
"Walk around in them. Make sure you can do it. I wouldn't want you falling in front of everyone."
Marley knew what she was doing.
"I got it!" She exclaimed.
"Good, now let's get going. I just have to grab my shoes and we can go."
Marley walked to the car with Liz following behind her.
They both got inside and went on their way.
After a few minutes, Marley thought back to dinner with Jacob's mother.
"Liz, can I ask you something?"
"Sure. What's up?"
"Jacob wants me to have dinner with him and his mother but I'm nervous."
"Why are you nervous? Honey you're the type of women any man could bring home to meet his mother."
"I'm nervous because I'm me."
"What's wrong with being you?"
"Liz, I'm in a psychiatric home for Christ sake! I don't get out until I'm 18 which is like 8 months away! What am I supposed to say when she asks about my mother? My father? My home? I have nothing! How do I answer that?"
"You have Jacob, and he is the only person that matters. Don't lie about anything. Be honest with her."
"I forgot Jacob was supposed to pick me up! May I please hold your phone?"
Liz handed Marley her phone and she dialed Jacob's number.
"Hello?" He answered.
"Jake!"
"What's up, babe?"
"I got a ride with Liz. Just meet me here please. I'll text you the place and I'll talk to you when you get here."
Marley didn't even give Jacob the chance to say 'ok.'
She hung the phone up and slouched in her seat.
"We're here." Liz said bringing Marley back to reality.
"You go ahead inside. I'll meet you in there, I just need some time."
"Take your time."
Liz grabbed her purse and walked inside of the church.
Marley instantly started to cry. All of the emotions she'd been holding in before this day had finally been let out. As she cried she thought back to the many great times she and Mrs. Drayton shared together. All of the stories she shared with her and all of the love she gave.
Marley's rock was gone and she would realize that today.
Marley fixed herself and stepped out of the car.
As she did that, she saw Jacob walking towards her. She quickly wiped her face and tried to hide the fact that she was crying.
"You don't have to do that." Jacob said hugging her.
"Do what?"
"Pretend you weren't crying. This is a funeral, you're supposed to let all of your feelings out."
Jacob and Marley walked inside of the church hand in hand.
She headed straight towards the casket.
Marley looked at Mrs. Drayton resting peacefully in her casket with her lavender dress on and kissed her forehead gently.
"I love you with everything in me. You kept me whole. Without you my life won't be complete. I love you."
Marley sat down next to Mr. Bell and Jacob and listened to the service.
• • • • • • • • •
About an hour and a half later the service was over and it was time to say your goodbyes and go to the burial site.
Marley decided she would ride with Jacob so she could talk about the dinner with his mom later.
On the way there she spoke.
"What if she doesn't like me?"
"Who?"
"Your mom, Jacob."
"You found the note?"
"Yeah." She said half smiling.
"I love you, so I know she will."
"What about my parents? You've never met them."
"It's fine. I'll get that chance one day."
"What am I supposed to tell her? 'Hey, I'm Jacob's girlfriend, Marley. I live in a psychiatric home 800 miles away. My moms a drug addict and my dads in jail for killing my grandma.'"
Jacob sighed.
"I'll go to the dinner for you Jacob. But I don't want to be a disappointment."
"You will not be a disappointment. If she doesn't like you, she'll just have to put up with it because you're mine whether she likes it or not."
Marley smiled and prepared herself for the rest of the day.
When they arrived at the burial site almost everyone had arrived and they were praying over the casket.
Jacob hugged Marley from behind while she held back the tears.
She reminisced on everything in that moment and broke down.
She cried her hardest and everyone there knew Marley's situation because everyone knew Marley and Mrs. Drayton had the closest relationship.
After they lowered her casket in the ground, Marley said her last goodbye and turned around to hug Jacob.
He too had cried.
Even though he never met her, he felt the love around him. He felt Marley's pain..
Everyone had choosen Marley to throw the dove.
She grabbed onto the bird and threw it into the air expecting it to fly away.
Instead it landed on Mrs. Drayton's grave.
"You know that means her spirit will always be with you and that she isn't ready to leave yet?" Mr. Bell said rolling by.
Marley smiled at the bird as it flew away.
Moments later it was starting to drizzle so everyone got inside of their cars.
"Today was hard, but I got through it thanks to you, Jacob. I always thought perfect relationships only happened in movies or in stories but you proved me otherwise."
Jacob kissed Marley as they drove to his house.
"Are you ready to meet my mom?" Jacob asked.