chapter SIXTY-FIVE
The next day was Kevin’s funeral. His parents glared at me the moment I walked into the church. I hadn’t had time to talk to them, so went to offer my condolences. They walked away when they saw me headed toward them, making an already difficult situation even harder.
Vittorio put his arm around my waist and led me to a pew to sit down. Hot tears streamed down my face as soon as the service began. I was glad I hadn’t bothered with makeup. He tried to soothe me with his power, but there was no comforting me that day, no matter how strong he might be.
I almost lost it entirely when I walked past the casket for the final viewing. I knelt by the coffin, grasping Kevin’s hand, sobbing, “I’m sorry,” over and over again. Had I been any more hysterical, Vittorio probably would have carried me out. As it was, he simply put his arm around me and supported all my weight. I opted to skip the cemetery, for which I’m certain Kevin’s parents were grateful.
Vittorio ran a hot bath when we got home and held me. My exhaustion finally let his power do its job and soothe me, enough for me to fall asleep, anyway.
I woke sometime in the middle of the night from a nightmare. Kevin was in his casket. His eyes opened, and he stared right at me. “Why didn’t you save me?” he asked.
“I didn’t know I could. You know I would have had I known,” I cried.
“You knew. You saved Vittorio, but not me.” Only his lips moved.
“I didn’t know how, I swear. Kevin, I’m so sorry, please don’t be angry.” I don’t know where I was in the dream; floating above his casket, maybe.
“It’s your fault I’m dead.” Cold, dead eyes stared at me.
I woke screaming, and only stopped when Vittorio put his arms around me. “What is wrong, mio amore?”
“Nightmare.” When I calmed a little, I told him.
“It is merely your subconscious feeling guilty. I am positive Kevin does not blame you for his death.”
“How can you know that?”
“Kevin did not strike me as the blaming type, especially with his best friend. You must not blame yourself.”
“That’s easy for you to say,” I sulked as he held me.
“I understand, mio amore. If there is anything I can do to help, you know I will do it.” He stroked my hair.
“Just hold me while I try to go back to sleep. Though I’m not sure that’s possible.”
Turns out it was. I fell asleep almost immediately. Hooray for exhaustion.