I Bet I Would

Chapter 58: No More Blueberry Pies

ASHTON

I heard a knock on my door.

It's Dad. I'm sure of it even if I am lying on my bed face down.

I heard the door creak open.

"Son? Just checking up on you. Should I stay?" He asked.

"Stay," I said. It came out muffled because I was burying my face on the pillow. 

I lifted myself and sat up on the bed.

I give my father a smile. I do not want him worrying unnecessarily.

"What's the matter, son?" He asked me.

I heave out a sigh and reached for my back pocket.

"Vicky was here," I said to him as I handed him the envelope. 

Dad clearly looked surprised.

"You open it. It's not for me," He said, his voice cracking.

I then opened the envelope and took out the piece of paper folded inside it.

It has a rough texture, a special kind of paper.

I unfolded it and saw the header in bold and capitalized letters that read, "FUNERAL NOTICE."

My heart was beating so fast as I nervously read on,

"The relatives, friends, and acquaintances of Elizabeth Gregory-Johnson are invited to attend her funeral which will take place--"

I dropped the paper. I could not make myself read on.

My grandmother.

No.

She can't be dead.

My heart feels so heavy.

I remember how Grandma and I were so close then. Back when I was still a child, we lived close to her and Grandpa in Orlando. 

Grandma was such a sweet woman. She loved me so much.

Even when we moved to Miami, we would visit her from time to time.

I loved going to Orlando because it meant I could spend time with my favorite person in the world.

She would make me the best blueberry pie in the world every time I visit.

I stopped visiting her when Vicky left us.

Why didn't I bother to keep on communicating with her and Grandpa?

I was probably too hurt that I refused to get close to anything and anyone that reminded me of Vicky.

My eyes were now clouded with tears.

"I am sorry, son." I looked up at Dad and saw that he was holding the paper, the funeral invitation.

I bite my lip as I try so hard to fight back the tears.

My Dad then reached out to me for an embrace.

And then I just lost it.

I let myself cry as hard as I could.

I let out everything--

Why did I stop visiting Grandma?

I hate myself.

The pain Vicky caused me all these years.

The exhaustion of having to try too hard to earn through gigs and trying to make it to the big scene which seems so far-fetched, if not, impossible.

The financial hardship we all have to go through just so I can finish college, seeing Dad work so hard trying to provide us with everything.

Dad was trying to be both a mother and a father to us.

I then have to stand up and pretend that I am strong so that Dad would stop worrying so much.

For years, I have held back these tears. 

For years, I have never cried.

I never shed a tear when she left us.

Never.

It felt so heavy that it felt so good to let it all out now.

"Dad, my heart hurts," I said with all honesty in the middle of my cries.

"It's alright, son. It's alright." He said as he embraced me even tighter.

I then pulled out of the embrace and wiped my tears, trying to regain composure.

I want to cry again as I saw Dad wiping away a tear.

"L-let's t-tell Nash the t-truth," I managed to say.

I continued, "W-we need t-to go to Orlando."

"I have to pay my respects as well," Dad said.

--

Who said big boys can't cry? :'(

Yummy slice of blueberry pie on the side! ;)

Hope you liked this chapter! Third update for the day! Still keeping my word. Will write Chapter 59 now. :D 

This chapter is dedicated to nico511. Your last comment was on Chapter 55, though. Hope you catch up on the updates! ;)