Chapter 15
Pacing back and forth in the waiting room, Justin, JC, Chris, Joey, Lance and Danni all waited on any word from the doctor on Violet's condition. They had been able to revive her and went straight into surgery, that much they knew. None of them dared speak for fear of breaking down and crying. And none of them showed any acknowledgement to the fact that Violet's blood was all over JC. All they wanted was some word, some statement, or a nod even so they knew she had made it. That everything was going to be fine. None of them could bear the thought of her never being with them again. And that thought would be edged permanently into their minds until they were told differently. Finally, after two and a half hours of waiting, the doctor came out, with no promising look on his face, at all.
"How is she?"
"Is she going to live?"
"When can she go home?" These were only a few of the questions being fired at him. Holding up his hand for them to slow down, he waited until there was silence, still the somber look on his face.
"Doctor, please. We just want to know how she is." It seemed as though Danni was the only one who could say anything.
"I'm sorry."
"Wait, you're sorry for what exactly? That you can't tell us anything, or that..." she trailed off, unable to say "or that she's dead."
"I'm sorry that, there was nothing we could do. She sustained too much blood loss from the bullet wound in her left shoulder. It was too close to her heart." Unable to hold it back any longer, Danni burst out crying, falling into Joey's arms. Holding her close, Joey tried to comfort her as best he could as he too cried.
After wiping away as many tears as he could, Justin walked over to the doctor. "Can we see her?"
"I'm sorry. But the police have informed me not to allow anyone into her room. They need to do their work."
"What? That's bullshit! Everyone is allowed to see their family and friends in the hospital. whether or not they're dead!" JC yelled at the doctor.
"Mr. Chasez, I realize you're upset and just lost someone very close to you, but I'm sorry. You cannot go back."
"Look, I've been with Violet since she was a little kid. I don't give a shit what your policy is or what the cops say, I am going back to say goodbye to my best friend!"
JC and Justin decided to go back without caring what he said. But they had only got so far when they heard him yell for security. Beginning to run towards her room, they were stopped by two rather large police officers right outside Violet's door.
"No! Let me go! Violet! Violet!" The way they were acting, JC knew something was up. Everyone was allowed to see they're deceased friend or family. So why couldn't they? The only thing he could come up with was, she wasn't really dead.
~*~
Sitting in the confinement of the bathroom, JC tried not bawling his eyes out. It's funny. You're told you have to be a man your whole life, and never show emotion, never cry. But as soon as the woman you love is gone, you can't help but let the tears flow. And you can't get them to stop.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door and in came Justin. Sitting beside his friend of ten years, Justin found it hard to speak. He never thought something like this would happen in a million years.
"It's weird isn't it?"
"And hard." JC whispered back.
"Insanely hard." Justin agreed. "But these people came to pay their final respects to our...friend." What she truly was in the end, Justin had no idea. So he figured friend was the best way to go. "The least we could do was say thank you or something. We need to get down to the funeral."
"I know. Are they here yet?"
"Yes. They just arrived a few minutes before I came looking for you." Looking at JC, Justin could tell it was taking everything in him not to cry. "It's ok you know."
"What is?"
"To cry."
"I just miss her so much."
"Me too, Jace. Me too." And they cried. They cried together in each other's arms for the love they both lost, in a single moment. And it was all because of a relationship gone wrong in the past.
~*~
"Where to begin? Violet Emerson was and always will be a free spirit. Her laugh could brighten the darkest day. Even when she was feeling down about herself, she always found a way to cheer others up. The Lord may have chosen to take her life, but her spirit and soul shall live on in each of our hearts. Our separate memories of her will make her live on forever. To me, and many of you I'm sure, Violet Emerson will live on for all eternity."
After leaving the podium, wiping his eyes, Justin heard the sweet voice of Mrs. Emerson.
"Hello Mrs. Emerson."
"Thank you for being here, Justin."
"Violet was my best friend. I loved her with all my heart. There was nothing I would have missed this for."
"Still, thank you. I only wish this was an open casket so I could see her one last time."
"We all do Mrs. Emer..."
"Justin, you've known me since you and Violet were children. When will you call me Lesley?"
"Lesley." Justin gave her a weak smile. Weak, but a smile none-the-less.
"Thank you." She reciprocated the smile. "Justin, can I ask you a question?"
"Of course."
"Were you and Violet...more than friends?"
"I'm not sure I know what you mean, Lesley."
"Justin, I may be a little slow at times, but I'm not blind or stupid. I know you're in love with her, and have been since you met. But was there anything besides friendship going on?"
Taken aback by the question, and statement, Justin wasn't sure what to tell her. Sure, she was like a second mother to him, but could he really tell this woman that, yes, he was completely and totally in love with her daughter and they had made love, a few times, while she was still in a deep relationship with his best friend? Just as he was about to answer the woman, JC had come over to them.
"Hello Mrs. Emerson."
"Oh, hello JC. How are you doing?"
"Ok I suppose. How about you?"
"As well as can be expected after losing your only daughter." JC nodded in understanding. "Oh, before I forget." Reaching into her purse, JC watched as Lesley pulled something out. "Dr. Peters asked me to take this. I think Violet would have wanted you to take it back. To remember her by." Holding out his hand, Lesley dropped something into it. Looking down, he saw that it was the locket he had given Violet on their one month anniversary. It was the first time she had cried in front of him. For being happy that is.
Looking up at Lesley, JC spoke in a soft quivering voice, trying to coax the tears back. "Thank you. Excuse me." Then he left. Leaving Lesley alone with Justin again.
"I'm sorry about him. He's just really not good when it comes to death."
"I don't blame him, Justin. It's definitely not something to be happy about." All Justin could do was nod. "But I am just trying to remember the happier days while Violet was still with us instead of thinking about the future without her."
If only they all could understand the depth of that statement.