Bellissimo Angelo- Book Three

Chapter 14 - The Funeral

Once I pull up to the house, I quickly head inside to get myself ready for the funeral, selecting a black pinstripe romper with black heels to wear today. After I've finished getting ready, I march towards the kitchen to find Momma and Earl seated at the table as I walk in, "Good morning." I chirp before bending down to pet Chloe as she wags her tail at my feet.

"Mornin Darlin," Earl replies. 

Momma takes a sip of her coffee and sets it down, "Good Morning; how was your night?" 

I pour myself a cup of coffee and have a seat at the table, "Oh, it was nice. We had a lot of fun." I tell her as I blow on the piping hot beverage before taking a sip.

Momma casts a side grin and winks in my direction, "Good." 

I reach out and tap her arm, "We ran into Nate and Jeb at the pizza place, though. That was fun." I tell her in a sarcastic undertone while rolling my eyes. 

 She chuckles, "Oh, boy. Sounds like it." 

I lean back in the chair, crossing my legs under the table, "Yeah, Dom marched over to talk to them after Nate called me a foul name. Needless to say, they left right after Dom confronted them."

Momma curls her lip in disgust, "Wow, how immature of Nate to do that! It's not like he's been around a lot lately while you were together."

"Yeah, I don't want any trouble with him. I want to break free from him completely. He's such a drag." 

She carefully sips on her coffee before responding, "Well, that is very chivalrous of Dom to go talk to Nate and Jeb in your defense."

"He's a gentleman, Momma. I know you will love him. He keeps the bar free of trouble, that's for sure. He threw mean-ass Charlie Vance and Suzy out of the bar for starting trouble like it was nothing. Charlie didn't even fight back." I tell her. 

 "Well, invite him over for dinner next time you are both off," Momma responds. 

"Okay, I will," I respond as I get up to whip myself up some breakfast.  It will be an emotionally exhausting day, and I'm looking forward to getting it over with.

Around 12:30 pm, I catch a ride with Momma and Earl to the funeral home. We are initially the first ones to arrive, but Dylan, Mariah, and Georgia pull in moments later. We begin to socialize amongst each other outside of the doors, wasting time so that we can build up enough courage to face this head-on. 

After a few moments, the parking lot begins to fill, so we enter through the front doors. I walk towards Gran's casket; she looks so peaceful and happy. I know that's how she would have wanted to go, but it still doesn't make it any easier for me. Tears begin to well in my eyes as everyone begins to pile inside, forming a line next to her casket to pay their last respects while Momma, Dylan, and I gather near the casket at the front of the line.  

After several people give their condolences before getting situated into their seats, I notice a familiar face in line, and I'm suddenly overcome with excitement. My best friend Brie is here, and she is drop-dead gorgeous! I can't wait to spend some time with her; I missed her so much. Once she pays her respects to Gran, she comes up to embrace me, "I can't wait to catch up," I tell her. 

"Me either. I'll talk to you when this is all over." She says before walking over to have a seat with Lori. 

Finally, I have someone I can vent to about everything. I begin to relax a little after seeing her until someone unexpectedly arrives; the last person that I'd ever want to see... Nate! What in the world is he doing here? He knew my Gran, of course, but I never expected him to show up since we broke up. Once he pays his last respects to Gran, he walks up to speak to Dylan first, patting his shoulder before he approaches me; he leans over to whisper in my ear, "Hey, if you would answer your phone, you'd know I was trying to tell you I was sorry to hear about your grandma." He says with a snarky undertone before clearing his throat and adjusting his suit jacket in an attempt to be nonchalant. 

I inhale audibly in an attempt to hold my breath while he's near as the familiar stench of cigarette smoke invades my nostrils; it's nauseating, "Can we talk when you are done?" he asks. 

"About what?" I ask curiously. 

"Everything." 

"Hey, let's keep it is moving; you are holding up the line," someone calls out from behind him. He spins around to give them a look before turning back at me. He holds up two fingers,  "Two minutes. That's all I ask." He says sternly before walking away.

I shake my head from side to side and look away, exhaling audibly to breathe in the fresh air.  Dylan leans into me. "Trouble in paradise?"

"No paradise Dylan. It's a f*****g nightmare; we broke up. He's annoying me." 

"What? I didn't know that."

"Yes. I'm seeing someone else, but don't you dare say anything. Hardly anyone knows." 

Dylan throws up his hands, "Who? Why haven't you said anything?!" 

"Nobody you would know," I respond under my breath. 

"Well, I need to meet him. Make sure he's not trying to play you." He says sternly.

"Get outta here with that bull s**t! No, you don't. You can meet him on my terms." I tell him. 

He snickers, "We will talk about it when this is over." 

I do my best to keep my temper at bay, but I'm seething with rage. I stick my finger in his face, "No, we will not, Dylan. Don't you start! You do not get to dictate my love life, do you hear me?!"

Momma glares at the two of us, which is our cue to stop, or she will pull us out of here by our ears.  Dylan and I straighten up quickly. I place my hand on my forehead. Great! This is all I need. Of course, Nate is going to do this here. I wished I would have just answered his call back a few days ago. I can't keep letting him control me. He's as bad as my brother; worse even. We are done, and he needs to realize this. I have something much better for me now; whether it lasts or not, it's still better than anything I've ever had with Nate. 

Everyone eventually makes their way through the line to pay their last respects to Gran, and the three of us have a seat in the front once the funeral begins. Momma and Dylan say a few words, but I don't dare get up there.  I'm way too shy, and everyone knows this, so it wasn't asked of me. 

Once the service ends, and we are all led out, Nate grabs the back of my arm, "Hey, ride with me." He insists. 

"No, Nate! I'm not getting in that ashtray." I tell him as I yank my arm from his grip. 

"God, you are so f*****g maddening! I only ask two minutes of your time!" He yells in frustration, throwing his hands up in the air. 

"I don't want to talk to you. What more do you want from me? You have had plenty of chances to talk to me over the years." 

"Wow! After all the years we have been together, this is what I get? It's not you, it's me, but it really is me, isn't it?" he asks with tears pooling in his eyes.

"Oh my gosh. Don't make me out to be the bad guy, please. You have done enough damage over the years to me. Now go away! " I respond. 

He pulls a cigarette out of his pack and lights it up as soon as we exit the funeral home. I walk away because I'm not going to smell like an ashtray. I rush to get away from him and hop in the car with Momma and Earl en route to the cemetery. Momma looks at me in the rearview mirror, "He picked a perfect day to start this s**t! " she says, her eyes squinted. 

"I know! It's so freakin annoying. He wanted me to ride with him, but I'm not getting in that car smelling like cigarettes. Sorry, you guys had to see that. He is trying to dictate to me again. I'm just done." 

Earl clears his throat before chiming in, "If he doesn't straighten up, your brother and I will have to deal with him."

I snort as I pinch the bridge of my nose with my thumb and index finger, "Please be my guest." I respond. 

A few moments later, we arrive at the cemetery and gather around to watch as Gran is lowered to the ground. It's a very emotional time for everyone. Afterward, I make my rounds embracing friends and family as Nate's eyes bore a hole through me while he puffs on a cigarette next to his Blazer, waiting for me to finish. 

In an attempt to avoid him, I glance through the crowds to look for Brie so we can go somewhere to catch up, but I'm stopped in my tracks as I notice her walking with Seth towards his truck. I glance over at Mariah to find her holding hands with John Luke. I run up to Mariah, "Hey Ri, where did Brie and Seth go?"

"Oh, they went for coffee to catch up. Seth asked me to watch John Luke for a little bit." 

I sigh audibly and spin around to approach Momma and Earl. This really blows. My best friend is in town for a short time, and she's spending time with Seth? What is this about? My heart is absolutely broken right now. She and I hardly said two words to each other. What is more important than spending time with me right now? I attempt to hide my emotions, but I'm unsuccessful. I begin sobbing uncontrollably as I approach Momma and Earl. Momma wraps her arms around my shoulder and walks with me back to the car. I notice Nate put out his cigarette and begin to approach us, but I'm not in the mood to deal with him right now. Momma stops and turns to look at Earl, "Earl, can you handle him?" she asks. 

"Yes, dear, I'll get Dylan; we will take care of it. Go on and get in the car. I'll be there in a moment." He says as he motions for Dylan. 

As Momma and I walk towards her car, I hear the sound of a motorcycle in the distance, which immediately captures my attention. I am delighted once I glance up to find it's Dominic. He pulls up along the road and waves at me. I turn to Momma, "Momma, that is Dominic!" I chirp.

Her mouth drops, "Oh my lord, you are kidding me? He's gorgeous!" she says as a look of shock crosses her face.

He takes off his helmet as I approach him, "Hello Bella, are you doing okay? I came to check on you. Is there anything I can do for you?" He asks as he flashes a sexy panty-dropping smile in my direction. 

"Yeah, can I get a ride out of here?" I ask. 

He hands his helmet to me, "Of course, hop on." 

I grab the helmet and place it over my head before positioning myself on the back of his bike. Momma quickly walks up, smiling ear to ear "Dom, this is my momma, Nova." I tell him. 

He reaches out his hand for hers, "Nice to meet you, Nova. I can see where Maggie's beauty comes from." He says as he pulls her hand to his lips. 

She smirks, "Nice to meet you too, Darlin. I've heard so much about you." she says, her cheeks a bit flushed.

Earl and Dylan approach the bike, both with a dumbfounded look. Dylan throws his hands up in the air, "Oh Dom, meet momma's boyfriend Earl and my pain in the ass brother, Dylan."

Dom nods his head in their direction, "Hello, nice to meet you," he responds. 

Mariah walks up with the kids, smiling ear to ear, "Dom, that's my sister-in-law, Mariah with my niece Georgia and our friend's son, John Luke."

He nods in her direction, "Hello." 

Suddenly, my attention is drawn behind her as Nate glares at me. He curls his lip in disgust as I wrap my arm around Dom's torso and bid farewell, "Bye, I'll see y'all later." I tell them as I turn and bury my face into Dom's back, breathing in his scent as he takes off out of the cemetery and down the road. At this moment, I knew that he truly is my knight and shining armor, and there is no place I'd rather be than in his arms at this very moment.