Chapter 25: Time To Say Goodbye*

“Briana!” Stacey yelled walking to the bottom of the steps.

“What?” Bre yelled back.

“Are you coming?”

“I don't want to go.”

“Shelby was like your only real friend, and you're not going to go to her wake?” Stacey asked, baffled by the news.

“I can't go. It's too much.” Bre said walking to the top of the steps.

“You have to go. You need closure. You need to say your final goodbyes.”

“I can't!” Briana yelled walking back into her room.

It was too much. She lost Shelby 4 days ago. She wasn't ready to say goodbye. She wasn't ready to make it official. After all the shit she did to Shelby, she didn't deserve closure.

“Elizabeth. It's almost 2.” Nana said walking into Liz's old bedroom.

“I know Nana.”

“Are you going to go?”

“I really don't want to. I don't want her to be gone.”

“None of us do. Send my regards.” Nana said quickly leaving the room.

Shelby was one of the closest people to her, how could Liz honestly said goodbye.?

Daniel stood in the bathroom mirror and straightened his tie. He put a little gel in his hair, to keep the little pieces out of his face, Shelby hated when they blocked his eyes. He brushed off his shoulders, and just stood there.

“Daniel!!!” Marcia yelled banging on the door.

“Hold the fuck on!” Daniel yelled back. Today was going to be stressful enough. He didn't need his mother to add on to it.

“If you don't get your ass out, you're gonna be fucking late!”

“Chill the fuck out! I know when the fuck it starts!” Daniel yelled opening the bathroom door. He stood face to face with his mother, and she could tell that he was in pain.

“You're going to be okay.” Marcia whispered.

“No I'm not going to be! I just fucking lost my best friend!” Daniel yelled grabbing his jacket. She watched as he stormed out of the house without another word.

Lulu sat there on his old bed, staring blankly at the t.v. His breathing was heavy. There was a knock on the door. “Go away!” Lulu yelled not moving his gaze from the t.v.

Kathy walked in and seen him sitting on the bed, all dressed and ready to go. “It's almost 2.” She said calmly, trying not to upset Lulu.

“I fucking know.” He said as the front door opened.

“That's probably the boys.” She said walking out of the room.

A minute later, Keith, Drew, Ace, and Ruga walked in and sat down around the room. “If you don't want to go, we won't go.” Drew said lighting a cigarette.

“We're going.” Keith said eye balling Drew.

“We shouldn't have to go if Litho doesn't want to go!”

“Litho needs to fucking go!” Keith said standing up.

“Bunk, you can't make him go.” Ace said looking at Keith.

“Fine. But I'm going. Shibbz meant a lot to all of us, and it's only right that we pay our respects. Litho, you think it's tough on you, just imagine how her moms and pops are doing.” Keith said walking out of the room, and down to the car.

“If you want me to go, I'll go.” Michael said, watching Sasha put on her boots.

“No. you stay here.” Sasha said as there was a knock on the door. “Will you get it?”

“Yeah.” Michael said walking to the door. He opened it and in walked Izzy, Nellz, and Bea.

“Hey Mike.” Nellz said as Izzy dapped him up.

Bea sat on the couch and waited for Sasha to come out of the bedroom. Sasha walked out, pulled down her top and stood in front of Bea.

“I can't believe she's gone.” Sasha mumbled staring down at Bea.

“None of us can.” Nellz said walking over to Sasha.

“Can we just get this over with?” Izzy asked fixing his tie.

“Yeah. The sooner the better.” Bea said standing up. She took Sasha's hand and they walked out of the house together.

The Funeral home was big, and there were rows of chairs. When you walked in there was a book to sign, where you left your name, address, and a little note. Next to the book were pins, and Memorial cards. The first ones there were Dee, Rodney, Grace and Andrew. Shelby's family. They sat in the front row, and Dee cried into Rodney's arms. The next to arrive were Denny, Big Denny, and Lucy. Followed by Bill and Charles. Next was Shelby's Nana, Mary, Ricky, Carolyn, and Nicole. Next was Lloyd, Nikki, and Nialya. All the family was there.

Stacey walked into the hall with Big Larry, Nana Joyce, and Stephanie. They walked straight to Dee and Stacey hugged her. “I can't imagine how you feel sweetie.”

Daniel walked in and he sat down in the back. He didn't want to be noticed. He just wanted to sit there, and be alone. He had to get used to that feeling.

Liz walked in, and decided it was best if she didn't go up to the casket. It was closed, and she just wasn't ready to say goodbye. She seen Daniel, and could tell that he didn't want company.

Sasha, Chanel, Bea, and Izzy were next to arrive and they rushed over to Liz, none of them said a word.

Lulu, Drew, Keith, Ruga, and Ace came in. Keith handed them all pins and they went to sit behind the girls and Izzy.

Heather, Nhung, Anna, and Ebony walked in and they seen Lulu. “He must be heart broken.” Anna mumbled as they walked to the other side of the room.

Within the next 20 minutes, the room filled. Even with 60 or so people, the room was still quiet. No one know what they could say. No one knew what they wanted to say.

At 2:30, Grace walked to the front of the room, and called for everyone's attention. “Hi everyone. If you don't know me, I'm Shelby's little sister Grace. And my family and I have decided that the people who would like to say something, they can have the opportunity to do so today. We wouldn't want everyone to wait until tomorrow. But, I'm going to start. Feel free to get refreshments in the other room, just please don't talk while I'm talking.” She paused and took a deep breath. “Shelby was the best friend that I never asked for. We went though a lot together, but when push came to shove, she was always there for me. She made me do things for her, just to prove that she had power over me. But I know that if I ever went to her with something and asked her to do it, she would.” Grace started to cry. “I know she's in a better place now. A place where she can be with her baby, with our nana and our papa. But I just wish they didn't take her away so early.” She couldn't keep talking. She ran from the room, wiping away the tears.

It was about a minute before someone walked to the front of the room. “Shelby was my best friend.” Daniel said pausing. “She was in my life for over 12 years, and I couldn't ask for anyone better to share the time with. She always told me what was on my mind, and she was real with me. I think that was her best characteristic. She didn't sugar coat shit, she told it like it was. I remember when we were young, I mean like real young. We'd be on the phone and my little sister would always come in my room and ask who I was talking to.” He laughed. “And I'd always tell her it was a leprechaun. Like on the Lucky Charms box. I used to always pick on my Buddii cause she was short, but she knew it was just out of fun. Her height made her who she is...was.” Daniel coughed and rubbed his eye. He had more to say, but he couldn't do it. He walked back to his chair.

Sasha was next to go up and talk. “Shibbz was my lil muchkin. She knew how to brighten my day with a simple sentence. When I was feeling low, and I needed someone to help me get back up, I know I could turn to Shibbz and she could fix me right up. Her smile legit brightened a room. Her laugh was unlike any other. I remember when me, her, Nellz, and Boo went to a carnival years ago. We went on this ride, and it was hella scary. But the whole time, Shibbz was laughing. She freaking though it was funny.” Sasha paused and wiped away a sliding tear. “I knew she was going to make it far in life. She had a personality that you couldn't help but fall in love with. She had dreams, ambitions. She would do anything she could to make a name for herself. She tried to make something of herself.” Sasha walked back to her seat and Bea took her hand.

“Shelby was a bright young girl.” Donna said walking up the isle. She was like a grandmother to Shelby. “I don't have much to say, because words can't describe how much Shelby meant to me. But I know that she's looking down on all of us, and by us crying, we're not doing what she wanted us to do. She wouldn't want us to sit here and cry that she's gone. She would want us to remember all the smiles that she put on our faces.”

“Shibbz was my best friend.” Liz said walking to the front of the room. “She was the funniest person I knew. She would say something and it would be completely serious. But then she'd look at me with a smile and we'd just laugh. Sure, we had our ups and downs, but I know that she loved me and I loved her more then ever. There is nothing I wouldn't do for her.” Liz's lip started to quiver and she took a deep breath. “Shelby was planing on getting married. She was going to get married to Lulu, my cousin. She was so excited. She couldn't wait to spend the rest of her life with him. What they shared was true love. No matter what life threw in their way, they made it out on top....Shelby is the reason I still believe in true love.” Liz blew a kiss up to the ceiling before she went back to her seat.

Keith walked to the front of the room and cleared his throat. “Shibbz. She was a good kid. She really was. She didn't get into drugs. She wasn't sleeping around. I'm surprised that she hung around us. She was so different. But then again, she kind of kept us together. She tried to fix all our problems, even when we knew they couldn't be fixed. She fucking held us together. I'm gonna miss her, and the little smile she always had when she looked at us boys. Words can't describe how much we cared about her.” Keith finished walking away.

Dee stood up and wiped her eyes. She was ready to speak. She was ready to talk about her baby. “Shelby was my baby. She was a good kid, she really was. Whenever I needed her I knew that she would be there for me. She was like her father in so many ways. In their attitude, personality and their looks. She would always have a sly comment to say about practically anything. And that’s when I would turn around and see her father in her.” She paused, and took a few deep breaths. “I remember when she was growing up. She used to try and get our family together as much as possible. She'd suggest that we play a game together. Say that we needed to spend more time together. I think subconsciously she knew that her days were numbered so she tried her best to make an impact on as many peoples lives as she could. And hearing the stories today, I think she did it. I think she made an impact on the world. She was my baby girl, and not a day will go by where I won't think about her. Where I won't hear her laugh and see her smile.” Dee couldn't keep talking. She sat down and took Rodney's hand.

Lulu took a deep breath and slowly walked up to the front of the room. “I loved Shelby. She was like my other half. She made me happier than words can describe. We had our ups and our downs. But I knew that one day, we'd have our happy family. I remember planing the wedding. She said she didn't want anything fancy. A little thing on the beach. She was willing to do anything for me, and I wish I could have saved her. I wish I could have done something. I wish...I wish...fuck! I just wish she could have lived her life first. It's not fair!” Lulu said walking out of the room.

The only thing left from the fire was a metal box left under Shelby and Lulu's bed. A box that held pictures and a letter.

The letter read; 

 

Dear Lulu,

I love you baby. More then words can describe. In less then 4 months, we'll have our baby here to make our lives complete. He's going to make all of this worth wild. I can't imagine not having you by my side. Our little man is going to have a family....

I'm sorry I waited so long to tell you baby. I just wasn't sure how you'd take the news. I wanted the moment to be perfect, because you don't deserve anything but perfect.

It's getting late, and my eyes are getting sleepy. Tomorrow we move into our new house and I can't wait! We finally get to be together, and everything will be perfect. Well goodnight baby. I love you :-*

Always&Forever

Shelby M. S.