The church was crowded with people of all ages. Once inside, his feet wouldn’t move. He looked up, shocked by how many children sat in the pews. Mary had always been kind to the little ones. He spotted Granny Belbin all in black. She looked older somehow, but not scary anymore. Angel smiled, as his gaze caught hers. She’d told him she’d sit in the back, as some people might object to her being in the church. Why would they care? Angel was his friend. He wished he could sit at the back with her. But Bridget had explained he had to represent his family, to honor his sister. He didn’t want to honor Mary. He wanted to see her, feel her arms around him, and have her pick him up and take him away from this place.
He tried to move, but he couldn’t. Frozen to the spot, he gulped back the tears. A larger, soft hand took his.
“Shall we walk up to the front together?” Bridget asked.
He gripped her hand. She was really nice, kind like her sister. He liked her a lot, and she liked dogs, which made him like her even more. She had explained Jack had to stay home, as he wouldn’t be able to go to church. She said he wouldn’t sit still and may scare people by running around. But she had brought him a big bone to chew on, so Jack was happy. Kenny was glad for his dog, but he wished he was able to hold him. It would make this easier. He kept his eyes averted from the coffin and focused on Father Nelson. Bridget had explained for him to do that, but she had also reassured him there was nothing to be afraid of. Mary was already in Heaven and looking after him. She wasn’t cold or hungry anymore. Instead, she was happy and smiling all the time. He liked to think of her that way.
The mass lasted for ages. He knew bits and pieces of the Latin from when Mary had dragged him to church before. He stood up when the others did and kneeled down and sat just like everyone else. Then it came time for him to sing.
He walked up to the altar where Father Nelson had told him to stand. He faced the people, but there were so many, so he looked for Bridget. He sang to her, pretending she was Mary. He sang his heart out, and, when his voice got all funny, he just kept going. Bridget kept smiling at him, her eyes looking very bright. She squeezed him tight, when he finished and came back to sit beside her. She smelled really nice, of roses or some other flowers. He didn’t mind at all that she cuddled him close. In fact, he liked it.