Abby put her hand on Rosemary's shoulder as they make their way to the front of the church where Rebecca stood over the body of Bertha.
Rebecca let go of a small smile. She was dressed in an elegant white dress with a black rose near her right shoulder.
Abby, Rosemary, and Luna took a seat in the front row.
"Good to see you guys," Marcus spoke up, taking his toothpick out of his mouth and leaning forward.
"Honestly, I thought you were going to be too drunk to make it," Rosemary states, glaring back at Cody and Marcus. "You're surprisingly aware of your surroundings."
"Never too drunk for a comrade," Cody says as he pinched his lips, trying not to show emotion. "We're on the same team! May the goddess protect us all," Cody bellowed as he pointed two fingers towards the sky.
Abby's eyes trace the end of the pew where Ian sat in a tuxedo with a brown cane. He is way too eccentric.
"I'm sorry, I'm almost late," Monica yelled as she ran down in heels and a black skirt that went down to her knees. She had a black taffeta with the white rose tucked in the top. Almost tripping, she took a seat beside Luna and stared straight ahead at Rebecca who had a large book open.
"First off, I want to think Internal Investigations for giving us this time to grieve." She looks over to the right. In the back pew, a man sat there with glasses astute. "What is a woman?" Rebecca bellowed, her voice filling the church. "A woman is a beautiful creature, the goddess created who can bear children bringing life into this world. This woman before us, Bertha Miller brought 11 precious souls into this world. She gave labor 11 times to give life. A mother who was taken away before her time! Her life was cut short by a heinous act by one of our own. I am always reminded that darkness dwells among light. The two exist on our planet because men and women have freedom of choice. That choice can be used to create good or conjure evil."
Everyone in the room was in tears as Rebecca spread her hands out wide.
Rebecca smacked the large text in front of her as she leaned over, looking at Bertha's body which was still beautifully covered in roses. "Life is not measured in years, but in the choices we make," she bellowed. "I have known people to have lived for five years but walk a greater life than those who live ninety years. This woman was a warrior, champion, and a victorious person who walked this planet. She has returned to the business of the goddess, and for that I rejoice. Yes, we may weep this evening, but we must always remember that life is a choice. Darkness will never overcome light when good people make the choice to stand against it. Everyone, will you please stand?" she says, lifting her right hand off the large text and putting it towards the sky.
"Join me in prayer, if you will," Rebecca says, putting her hands out beside her and closing her eyes. "Goddess, may we all try to walk as this woman did. A victorious woman, a mother, a warrior who fought for the good of our country. May we continue to be children of light, not only to serve each other but liberate this country from evil. Amen. And may the goddess be praised. You all may come up and pay your respects," she says, putting out her right hand and guiding Ian from the end of the pew to come forward.
Ian put his cane on the velvet carpet as he walked over, his head sunk and tears dripping into the carpet. He walks up to the body of Bertha whose hands were folded, a sky-blue dress adorned over her body. "You are the most elegant of all," he states, tipping his hat and walking past everyone towards the exit of the church.
Marcus and Cody saunter up, followed by Abby, Monica, Luna, and Rosemary.
Marcus leaned over and put his hand on his fellow country woman. "Not a lot of dark-skinned folks do amazing things where we come from," he whispered, trying to keep his voice from cracking. He placed his hand on her head and storms off.
Cody couldn't find any words from his throat as he twirled his tongue in his mouth, trying to make sense of everything that was in front of him. All he could do was lay his hand on her hand and brush it gently.
Monica walks over, her knees giving way as she leaned over Bertha sobbing uncontrollably. "I failed your children, and I failed you," she screamed. She gripped the casket as hard as she could. "A cup of coffee we shared when I first got here helped me to feel human for the first time since leaving home. You treated me with such love and joy. I felt human and I'm so thankful you lived." Monica leaned up, her face soaking with tears. "I will get justice for you." She put her hand on the casket and walks off, taking a seat in the front row.
Luna slowly paces her, glasses foggy from crying during Rebecca's words. "I'm sorry I couldn't save you, but I don't know if I have any more tears to give. I feel like my heart is going to explode, but maybe this pressure is truly making me feel alive. I want to try to be a better human and follow your example. May you rest in peace in the afterlife," Luna squeaked and she walked off to sit next to Monica.
Abby stepped up slowly to the motionless body of Bertha. "I wish I could have known you better. You emitted pure joy with your smile and radiated the room. I looked forward to going on missions with you. I felt like you were going to be someone I could grow close to. I am going to pray for your children, for their strength and resolve to go through this dark chapter in their lives. I think this is how I best remember you. In a beautiful sky-blue dress, soaring with the angels, returning to the bosom of the goddess." Abby took her hand and placed it on the head of Bertha. She then took a seat next to Luna.