“Thank you.” Giving me a hug, my father’s co-worker moved down the line to my Aunt. Josh started the line of relatives, next coming me, followed my father’s sister Alison, her two teenagers, Mandy and Cara, and her husband Donnie.
“How ya holdin’ up?” I looked over to see Elis as the next in line for the viewing. I gave her a tight hug.
“Not too bad,” I said. “I just wish none of this was happening.”
“I know what you mean,” she sympathized. “It’ll be over soon, though. The viewing is even harder than the funeral. This is where you get most of the pity.”
“Not something I need,” I whined quietly. Chuckling, she hugged me again, then moved on to my aunt.
“Baby, you need anything?” I turned and smiled at JC over my shoulder.
“No, thank you,” I assured him. He came up next to me and took my hand in his.
“I’m glad to see you’re doing okay.” I smiled at Joey as he hugged me. I hugged him back. “If you need anything, call us.”
“Don’t I always?” Joey chuckled, following his girlfriend down the line.
“How ya holdin’ up?” I looked over at Chris, then to my other side, past my brother, at my dad’s casket. I turned back to Chris.
“Not too bad.” I glanced at the line, which was out the door of the funeral home. “How many people did dad know?” Chris shrugged.
“I hate to tell ya, but I think most of them are people for you or us.” I flinched as a camera flash went off outside. Groaning, I put my head on JC shoulder.
“I hate the media.”
“Want me to get rid of them?” JC offered. I looked at him lovingly.
“Would you?” He nodded and smiled.
“Of course. I’ll go get Joey and Lance to help me.” He walked over to the corner of the room, where Joey, Elis, Lance, Roxie, and Claire were talking quietly.
Mel and Justin had been the only ones that had had to leave. Something about Mel’s cousin going into surgery. They had stopped by earlier and practically begged our forgiveness for having to leave so quickly. Knowing it was important, Chris and I had basically kicked them out, repeating over and over that it was okay.
Star had just stepped out to get some water for our family. We expected her back in a few minutes.
After talking quietly for a few moments, Lance and Joey got up and followed JC outside, where camera flashes went wild. I sighed and turned my attention to the next person in line (or, the “pity train” as Elis had called it. She wasn’t trying to be mean. It’s just that neither of us knew how to handle sympathy so we joked about it).
“How’re you doing?” My eyes widened in surprise at the sight of Brian, Kevin, Nick, AJ, and Howie standing before me. Smiling slighty, I nodded. Brian was the first to hug me.
“We’re here if you need anything,” he whispered. “Anything.” I smiled thankfully at him.
“Thanks,” I said. I turned to Kevin as Brian went on to talk to Chris. He put a hand on my cheek. I looked down at the ground, remembering that he knew what I was going through.
“Are you okay?” he asked, softly. I nodded mutely, my eyes still focused on the ground.
“No, you’re not.” Tears welled up in my eyes as I remembered the memories of my father’s viewing. I hadn’t been able to handle it. All the sympathy and having to look at my dad lying in the casket for hours. I had run out, sitting on the lawn behind the funeral home.
I wrapped my arms around Alex in a tight hug. It took her a moment to respond, but when she did she began sobbing on my shoulder. I stepped out of line for a moment to let the others pass.
It took only a few minutes, but her tears subsided and she looked up at me.
“Thanks,” she whispered, whiping her eyes. I handed her a tissue out of the Kleenex box on the table behind her. She smield gratefully and used it to wipe her eyes.
“Are you going to be okay?” I asked. Taking a deep breath, she nodded and looked up at me.
“I think so,” she said, truthfully. “It’ll take a little while, but I’ll be fine.” She sniffed. “Are you guys coming to the funeral?” I nodded. Smiling slightly, I kissed the top of her head.
“Do you want us to stick around and wait for you? Want me to take you home when it’s over?” I asked. Slowly, she shook her head.
“Nah, that’s okay. It’s gonna be awhile and JC’s taking me and Josh home. Thank you, though. That was kind of you to offer.” I shrugged.
“It’s the least I could do.” I took a deep breath. “Look, I know I’ll see you tomorrow, but when you get back to Orlando, call me. We can talk, okay?” Alex nodded, smiling slightly.
“I’d like that.” Kissing her cheek, I smiled comfortingly at her before walking up to Chris.
“Guys, thank you for coming,” I said to Nick, Howie, and AJ. ”It means a lot to me.”
“Hey, if you’re part of Kevin’s family, you’re part of ours,” AJ said. Howie elbowed him hard in the side. “What?” I smiled.
“You’re not supposed to say that!” Howie hissed at him. As the two of them began to argue quietly, Nick stepped in front of them.
“We’ll be at the funeral tomorrow if you need a shoulder or anything to cry on,” he said, warmly. “I mean, I don’t think Kevin can absorb anymore.” I giggled despite my attitude.
“Thanks,” I said. “I needed that.”