So, the party was underway. I found Bianca by the pool outside with several of her girlfriends. They were chatting and laughing. Chad followed me to the back yard and I embraced and kissed bianca. Bianca hugged Chad and the three of us kind of gathered in a circle and chatted. The night would soon become cold. And after two hours of regular fun with friends, I looked over to see Chad and noticed he was gone.
I noticed Chad alone sitting on the edge of the cliff off the side of the house, looking out at the view. I watched for a moment, feelings of compassion overwhelming me. I loved Chad so much. As I start towards him, I notice he is moving a little. What in the world?! Before I can say anything or put two in two together, chad dives right off the edge.
"NO!! No." I ran to the edge screaming, praying there was water or ground nearby underneath. Nothing. My heart exploded in undeniable pain. Oh my god. I have just lost my brother. I take my cell phone out and call 911. I can't quite make out my surroundings through all the tears. I hadn't noticed others were coming around the corner inspecting the loud screaming that many could hear. I was screaming and sobbing into the phone, begging the police to hurry, and to bring an ambulance. I told the operator my brother had jumped over a steep cliff. Bianca showed up, took one look at me, and covered her mouth in shock. I was on my knees, and I was sobbing so loud and so long I was sure my throat was giving out. She ran over and embraced me. I held onto her for dear life, wishing I was over that cliff as well.
Chad's funeral was on a Tuesday. The entire Pendleton family was on edge. Joe hadn't spoken to anyone for days. He called in from school and locked his self in his room. Mrs Pendleton worried. Several times she almost nagged Joe to get up out of bed and do something with himself. But then she would remember that Joe actually saw Chad jump off the cliff. She could barely get through herself. So she stayed quiet.
In the big big church Joe sat next to Mr and Mrs Pendleton on the front row. Bianca wanted to join them, but her mother had said no. Joe looked bad, bianca thought, pale and thin. The funeral lasted for an hour, pairing off with different people saying something about Chad and his legacy at the podium. Joe himself went up there, told everyone there was no angel in heaven more beautiful than his brother's heart. He sobbed all the way through his heart wrenching speech. He served as a pall bearer. He sobbed all the way to the hearse where they loaded the coffin. The air was chilly and fog scattered the landscape. Joe got in the car with his parents and the three of them made their way to the cemetery. All the while Joe kept wishing the pain would simply go away.
The preacher quoted psalm 13 and the coffin was lowered into the ground. Joe's knees buckled and Mrs Pendleton nearly fainted. People around watched this emotional scene. Some even cried. Everyone knew this was a sad day. Very sad!!
Dinner that night was hopeless. Joe didn't eat a bite, and Mrs Pendleton finally said something. "You have to eat young man," she snapped. "And tomorrow morning you are going back to school. You've been out four days already and you're only allowed eight." She was emptying his plate as she said all this.
"There is summer school and I will eat when I am good and ready." He replied. Mrs Pendleton started to argue but Joe had already bolted from the table. He grabbed his jacket from the coat rack and exited the house. He decided to walk the eight mile walk down to the cemetery and to clear his mind.
To be continued...
