There was something beautiful about a funeral procession. Sam couldn’t pinpoint one exact reason she thought it was beautiful, maybe it was watching all the people lining up in their cars to bid farewell to Jake. As she held her mother’s hand, escorting her to the limousine that would take them from the funeral parlor and to the church, she looked at the long line of cars that were stopping traffic on a Main Street. The line went down for blocks, until she couldn’t see any further. Parked directly in front of the funeral parlor was a hearse followed by the immediate family’s limousine and a flower truck. The flower truck was filled beyond its capacity. One of the Sam’s favorite displays sat at the very top of the collection of flowers, it was a piece designed to mimic Jake’s motorcycle, all made out of flowers. She was certain it would’ve been Jake’s favorite too.
The driver opened the door and helped Deb into the car. It surprised Sam that her mother was handling things so well thus far. . Sure, she broke down when she first saw Jake in the coffin, they all had. But she stopped crying and began to marvel at how peaceful he looked, and how in death, he looked much like he did when was alive. He looked as if he had simply been sleeping. They had decided not to have a viewing, and only keep the coffin open for a few moments so the immediate family could see Jake one final time.
Sam slid into the car after her mother, taking her sunglasses off to dab a tissue at her eyes. She couldn’t believe the outpouring of love this town had shown to her brother. For the two short hours people came to pay their respects, she had been kissed and offered condolences by what seemed like every person Jake had ever shook hands with or said hello to. People loved Jake and he would be missed not only by his family, but by everyone who knew him.
Sam glanced through the window and watched Luke walk out of the funeral parlor, walking closely next to a grief stricken Cara. Sam’s heart broke watching her kiss Jake goodbye, but surprisingly Cara too was holding it together. Well, better than she had been since Jake had passed. Luke held open the door, not saying a word to Cara and Sam noticed she didn’t look at him. Sam knew her brother, and knew he was trying his best to do what he thought Jake would want him to do, which was take care of Cara.
Luke had decided to send Ava to camp today, feeling a funeral was entirely too much for a seven year old to endure. So when the day was over they would take Ava to Jake’s favorite place and Ava would release lime green balloons to the sky and have her own goodbye with her uncle.
Sam looked over at Cara as she stared absent-mindedly out the window watching as the ball bearers carried Jake’s coffin out of the parlor. Luke, Nick and Joe stood outside of the car watching as they carried Jake to the hearse with the utmost care. Sam swung her arm over Cara’s shoulders and brought her closer to her. Cara wept silently and Sam ran her hand comforting down her auburn hair.
The other door of the limousine opened and when Jake had been tucked securely into the hearse Joe joined his wife followed by Luke and Leah. Sam glanced up as Nick slid into the limousine next to her. She let her eyes linger for a moment before she turned and focused on Cara. She sat up and patted Sam’s knee reassuring her that she was okay.
The limousine peeled out slowly and started to follow the hearse towards the church. The line of cars that stretched for blocks all followed at a slower pace with their headlights on. The church was only a few blocks away, so the ride wasn’t that long. When the procession parked in front of the church, Sam noticed there were dozens of motorcycles that lined the sidewalk and most of the church’s parking lot. The amount of bikers that were waiting surpassed the number of cars that followed them there. It was mind boggling and completely amazing, only affirming what Sam had known her whole life. Her brother was one in a million.
The chauffeur opened the limousine doors. Nick was the first one out of the limousine. He held out his hand to Sam, not saying a word to one another, she took his hand and allowed him to help her out of the car. He did the same with Cara. When Sam looked up at the church, that the three of them had received all their sacraments in, she noticed Mallory and Phillip standing outside to the left of the church. Tears sprung in her eyes as they mouthed their condolences to her. She blew them a kiss, thankful they were there.
She turned around and took notice of all the other people. Pete walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her. He had been a great friend to Jake, taking care of his business while he battled the cancer.