Chance Encounters

They walked through two large wooden doors into the reception area. The girls noticed Johnny’s mom, Jackie, and gave each other a quick, exasperated look. Caroline had always thought Jackie looked glamorous for her age, but seeing her now, in this setting, she stood out like a bottle of vodka at an AA meeting.

Jackie was dressed in a short black mini skirt with a form-fitting, low cut, black top. Her cleavage welcomed anyone who came near. She had on four-inch black heels that accented her ridiculously perfect legs. Her jet-black hair was pulled tightly into a bun, half her face covered by oversized sunglasses. Caroline thought Jackie looked like she was dressed for a night out on the town, not the funeral of her only child.

“Talk about inappropriate,” Tracey whispered.

Jackie dabbed at her face with tissue when she recognized the girls. She removed her sunglasses and walked over briskly.

“Tracey! Caroline! Oh…” She broke off into heaving sobs and grabbed the girls tightly, as if attempting to hug the life out of them.

“Hi, Mrs. Lucca. We’re so sorry.” Caroline spoke through her own tears.

“I know,” she lamented. “He loved you girls so much.”

“We loved him too,” Tracey sobbed.

“Thank you both for coming. Is Clay here?” Jackie asked, peeking over Caroline’s shoulder.

“He had to work, but he sends his condolences,” Caroline explained.

“Well, make sure to tell him that we missed him.”

“I will,” she promised.

“Johnny’s inside.” Jackie nudged the girls toward another set of doors. “You should go see him.”

Caroline shot Tracey a brief, uncomfortable look before agreeing. “Okay. So…we’ll be back.”

“I’m so glad you’re both here.” Jackie gave them a wan smile and turned toward a small group of adults standing near the guest book.

Tracey and Caroline slowly walked into the parlor where only a few people had gathered. The dark wood walls and lights gave everything a slight orange glow. Johnny’s white casket rested at the far end of the room; enormous flower arrangements adorned each side. The girls slowly walked down the aisle toward his lifeless body.

“I don’t know if I can do this,” Tracey choked out, her face suddenly pale.

“Yes, you can. Come on. Just breathe.” Caroline took Tracey by the hand.

As they neared the open casket, the girls slowed their pace, finally coming to a stop a foot in front of the casket. Caroline peeked toward his face before they inched closer.

“He looks so weird,” she admitted with a whisper. Johnny’s face was unusually pale, like a dusty chalkboard, Caroline thought to herself. There was a scratch on his forehead and one on his cheek that they tried to cover up with way too much makeup. In fact, Johnny’s entire face was covered in some sort of makeup. A football was tucked under his right arm and the gesture made Caroline smile. She placed a picture of the three of them under his left shoulder and whispered, “We’ll always be with you.”

“It’s so weird not to see him sm

iling,” Tracey noted.

Caroline put her arm around Tracey and took a deep breath. “I know. You know that’s not him any more…right, Tray?”

“What do you mean?”

“I just mean, his spirit—or his soul, or whatever you want to call it—it’s not inside that body any more. He’s probably watching over us right now, laughing or making fun of us,” Caroline explained.

“Probably. It still hurts, though.” Tracey nodded her head and leaned into her friend’s shoulder.

Caroline agreed. “It hurts like hell.”

The girls spent another minute in silence before they turned to find seats. The room had quickly filled up behind them and additional mourners stood outside.

Johnny’s uncle stood behind a tall dark podium. He spoke through tears about a young life filled with laughter, excitement and adventure. “It’s all so fragile. Precious, really. You never think about the fact that it can all be gone in an instant. Hopes and future dreams, all snuffed out.”

Caroline watched as he pulled a matchbook from his pants pocket. Slowly, he lit one match and allowed it to burn for a few seconds before a short burst of his breath extinguished the once burning flame. Caroline watched as a single ribbon of smoke billowed up toward the ceiling.