The Fallout

Chapter 20

Elle's POV

I couldn't imagine what Kylie must've been going through. She was so crushed when I went to see her. It would probably be hard today because the burial was today.

I had been checking up on her everyday and not once did I find her face free of tears. Death was indeed cruel. The hooded vale of death had hung over the world for a long time, always threatening. It had never touched Kylie so close. Death had ripped away a part of her.

She was still mad at her mother for hiding the fact that the father had cancer. I could not even tell.

I would miss Mr. Cargo so much. He was a rich yet a modest man, humility was his number one trait and I loved that. He was funny, he didn't mind me hanging out at his house, he would not complain if Kylie and I made noise. He was such a cool dad. He would give Kylie cash to take me out on my birthday. He enjoyed watching soccer. He left us way too soon, abruptly even.

I remember when we went to the beach house with the Cargo family, they had invited me. Although I think my parents just wanted me out of the house and talked to the Cargos about it.

Then Mr. Cargo was teaching me how to play volleyball.

"No Elle, ball you hands into fists and don't hit the ball like you're punching it, it has to go high and to the front at the same time. Come on, you can do this." He would say.

"I can't do this Mr. Cargo." I would reply, but I got the hang of it ultimately and we played together with Jack and Max while Kylie was sun bathing with her sister and mother.

I also remember when he was showing off his grilling skills. He was making his special steak that he boasted about all the damn time.

"See Elle, the secret is in the sauce." He said as he marinated the meat. He was smiling the whole time, he loved making that steak. You could almost not see his eyes whenever he was smiling and he had this deep, husky laughter.

"You can never have too much sauce." He would say too. I would look at him doing what he did best. I think he appreciated the audience since Kylie wouldn't. Mr. Cargo and I would tell her all the time that she was missing out on not eating meat.

"This is delicious Mr. Cargo, you really know your stuff." I would compliment as I licked my fingers after eating his special steak.

He said that when he retired, he would open up his own mobile restaurant where he made steak and ribs and anything that went with it of course. Now there was no way that was going to happen. I can't imagine how Mrs. Cargo must feel. It was probably how Janine felt when she lost the love of her life. It's like everybody around me had lost somebody dear to their hearts. It was Janine, Riley and Kylie... maybe I was next. I hoped not.

Was it a sign that only Henry and I hadn't lost people dear to us?

Okay probably not.

"Mom, do you have something that I can wrap around my hair? A scarf maybe?" I asked mom. She was busy getting herself ready to go to the funeral.

"Here you go honey. Have you checked on Kylie?"

"Not yet. Thanks for the scarf."

"You're welcome honey." She was being super nice, it must be the sad atmosphere.

I went back to my room and wrapped the scarf around my head. I looked gorgeous in my black dress and pumps, I could never wear heels, only flats.

"How do I look?" Riley asked as she stormed into my room.

"Great! You are rocking that skirt baby."

"It's not about rocking, it's not a fashion show." Mom said from the bathroom.