You Were There For Me

“Stephanie, We’re so glad you’re here!” Sandy wrapped me in a warm hug.

After a long moment, I lifted my arms to awkwardly return the embrace. Apart of her wanted to be reserved, out of loyalty to my mother. I didn’t know what to do with this open affection from a woman I barely knew. She was my mom's coworker, it's a bit awkward for me.

″I’m so sorry for your loss,″ she said. ″Your brother, Kenny was a bright young man, and I know he’s looking down right now with a smile on his face,″ she taps me softly in my chin.

My eyes drip with tears.

″Thanks,″ I whispered.

″Steph, honey, let’s go inside,″ My mother, Andrea, called to me.

Today was my brother’s funeral. Kenneth Clarke.

Six feet tall, olive skin with brown eyes, a smile that would brighten your day, and a laugh that was so easily contagious. That was him, my brother.

We were a year apart but ended up being in the same grade because my mom that it would make our sibling-relationship stronger. Which she wasn’t wrong, it did. In some way.

But sadly, he’s no longer here.

He died in a car accident, the other driver was under the influence and hit my brother’s car. Hearing his death by the detectives was horrendous. Since that day, I had horrible dreams, emotional breakdowns, and my feelings became dark. Knowingly that I lost my brother broken me and my mother, I haven’t felt the same since then.

Pastor Grant, our local pastor came to the podium and began to preach a sermon to us.

″Let the church say amen.″

″Amen,″ everyone echoed back.

″We are gathered here today, for the church to gather our loss of Kenneth Clark. A young man who was going to become a Lawyer, or possibly an artist,″ he chuckled then continues ″It’s sad that he’s no longer with us, but we all need to be reminded that he is with the Lord. He is safe, he is protected, and he is in our hearts.″

″Amen,″ everyone said again.

He continued with his sermon and ended with a prayer. The church choir sang ‘It Is Well, With My Soul’ as our benediction. Everyone left saying their goodbyes to us as we were preparing to place Kenny’s casket at the cemetery.

My mom went over to hug a few friends and other families while I was standing next to the limousine.

″Steph, hey,″ Theo said.

Theo Petrakis.

My brother’s best friend.

He was handsome from the depth of his eyes to the gentle expressions of his voice. A beautiful face. Tall. Well defined, with a sharp jaw and angular cheekbones. The complexion of his skin going well with his ocean-like eyes. His long fingers ran through his short and wavy brown hair which shifted back into place once his hand had gone past.

Theo had never much noticed me before, I’d been his best friend’s little sister since we were kids. His voice, his face, his serious lips and shoulder muscles were all her brain would dwell on.

I could see that his mouth went dry. This wasn’t like when they were kids. Theo looked my way, my mouth forming the perfect smile, and I finally responded. “Hey, Theo.”

His eyes wandered around the crowd. Mine stayed locked on him.

″I’m sorry, for everything,″ he finally speaks. ″I wish I let him stay longer at the party, you know? I feel like none of this wouldn’t happen.″

″Theo, it’s okay, it’s not your fault. You know I wouldn’t let you take the blame for it.″

″You sure?″ He questions and drew a smirk on his face which made me let out a chuckle.

″Yes, I’m sure.″

He wrapped an arm around my shoulders and pulled me close. He walked up to me slowly and pulled me closer to him wrapping his arms around me. His embrace was warm, and his big, strong arms seemed very protective when wrapped around my frail body.

I sighed when we pulled apart.

''Bye, Stephanie.''

''Bye, Theo.''