24

Angel

I've been thinking a lot about the man Chauncey that died last week at the hospital. I later found out that his last name was Amore, which was kind of shocking because that's my last name. You don't meet to many people with that name.

I didn't get to make his candlelight, but his funeral is today and I'm going to do exactly what he told me.

Something about that man was different... I just don't know what it is; I can't put my finger on it...

I typed in the address that his service was going to be held at.

I pulled up to the church and stared at the long line of people that were going into the church. I got out and stood in the line.

I looked to the front of the line and noticed two beautiful young brown skinned girls with matching black dresses. They couldn't be more than the age of 21. One was holding a little girl that looked like she was about 4 years old.

As the line moved up more and more to view the body, the more hysterical the girls got. It broke my heart. Tears fell down my face thinking about my mother.

It brought back the feelings of grief that I still have for my mom. Even though my mom betrayed me and put a man over me, she was still my star in the sky. I absolutely adored and admired her. I loved her no matter what mistakes she made, even when she didn't love me back... My love for her was unconditional and it always will be.

The two girls finally got to the casket. One leaned down and kissed the lips of Chauncey.

Once I got to the casket, I looked down at him. They had him dressed so nicely. I touched his face remembering the conversation we had. Looking at him one last time, I walked away.

I followed the line where the people were walking to sit down. I sat at the back of the church.

An usher came around passing out obituaries. She made her way over to me and passed me one. I thanked her and looked down at it.

Chauncey Deonte Amore...

March 2, 1977 - April 12, 2018

I flipped the page and saw a picture of him the two girls I saw earlier smiling while he kissed their cheeks.

My two beautiful daughters Sunny and Star. Daddy loves you both so much. Continue to be great.

My reading was cut off by a voice coming through the speakers of the church. "Okay is everyone settled in? Alright... Amen." The pastor said. I closed the obituary and looked up.

***

We were getting to the end of the service. People were now sharing their stories that they had of Chauncey. Some were funny, some were sad. Some people were just telling him how much they were going to miss him.

"Is there anyone else that would like to share something?" No one spoke or stood up.

Okay Angel. It's now or never.

I stood up. "Alright young lady, come on up." The pastor said as I made my way up to the front of the church. I grabbed the mic and opened my mouth to speak.

"Hi Good Morning everyone." I said as I got situated. "Good Morning" They all said in unison.

"My name is Angel, Nurse Angel, Ang. Whatever you want to call me." I laughed lightly as they laughed.

"I'm a Registered Nurse at Johnson's Memorial Hospital, were Chauncey passed away. And um, I was ordered by my Doctor to go to the roof with the team, get him, and keep him calm." I sighed.

"When I got to him, I asked him yanno 'Sir what's your name?' Yanno the basic things. And we began to talk. He asked me did I have any kids and I said not yet but I am pregnant." Cooes went around the room.

"He smiled at me and said that's great." I said smiling.

"He then told me 'Be a great mother. Kids need their mothers... Don't fail your kid. Make sure you tell them you love them and show them. Never neglect them.'" Some 'Amens' went around the room.

"But there's a reason I'm here." I looked into the eyes of his two daughters sitting on the front row.

"He told me to tell you two that he loves you... And he's sorry for failing you..." My voice cracked. They both broke down.

" And I just kept telling him 'Everything's going to be okay...' We prayed and at the end he closed his eyes." Tears fell down my face.

"I watched him take his last breath... I see things like this everyday but it was something about him that touched me. It was the most engaging, life changing conversation I've ever had in my life." I sniffed.

"I am so sorry for you alls lost and by the short conversation I had with him, I could tell he was a great man. Thank you." I whispered and I passed the mic back to the pastor.

They all clapped as I walked back to my seat.

***

I watched from a distant as they put dirt into his grave. I sighed and walked back to the church parking lot.

Just as I grabbed the handle to my door, I heard a soft voice.

"Um Angel?" I turned around and saw Sunny and Star standing there. "I know you don't know us but I'm Sunny and that's Star. We would love to get to know you a little more. We would also like to know if you'd stay for the repass? Please?" I smiled.

"Of- of course... I'd love to!" They both smiled wildly, showing their beautiful teeth.

"Oh my gosh! Okay great! Um it's going to be held in the kitchen of the church. You can sit with us if you'd like!"  "Alright!" I said.

"How old are you guys?" I asked as we started to walk back to the church.

"Well I'm 20." Sunny said. "And I'm 19." Star said. A little girl came running up to us.

"Mommy mommy!" She smiled and jumped on Sunny. I can't wait until I have moments like this...

"And this is my daughter Ava. Say Hi Ava!"

"Hi..." She said shyly. "Oh my gosh! She's so cute! You don't mind if I take a picture with her for memories do you?" I asked Sunny.

"No no no! I don't mind!" She handed me Ava. I gave her my phone.

She held it up. "Alright you guys. 1... 2... 3... Smile!" The flash went off.

She tapped on the phone and we all looked at it together. "That's cute!" We said in unison.

"You have to send that to me." Sunny said.

***

We were at the back of the church sitting down and eating. I was having such a great time with them. They were so nice. It's like we've been knowing each other our whole lives. They remind me a lot of me and Stephanie.

I found out quick that Sunny is the sweet one and Star is the wild one.

"And we got this one aunt oh my gosh..." Sunny said and they both rolled their eyes. I laughed.

"What?!" "Girl we cant stand her! She talks about everybody but won't acknowledge the fact that her husband be 'Akikiki-ing' in the usher woman's face." Star said.

"Yeah she not pregnant though." Sunny said. "Oop there she go right there." They said.

They slightly pointed at her. I saw a woman with a big belly walk into the kitchen. Like forreal. She looked like she could be 8 months pregnant.

I furrowed my eyebrows. "But I thought y'all said she wasn't pregnant?"

"Girl she not! She just big." They whispered.

"Come on y'all we should go speak... We shouldn't be rude." Sunny said. "Girl no." Star said.

"Come on Star!" "Girllll you got my fucked- Oop I'm sorry lord... See look at you! Got me cursing in church..."

I giggled at them.

"Well Angel will go with me... See." She grabbed my hand and we stood up. We walked over to her.

"Heyy Aunt Nora!" Sunny smiled.

"Mm hey baby." She said dryly. She looked at me. "Ohhhh you must be Nurse Angel!" She smiled. "You don't look pregnant to me..." She mumbled. Sunny gripped my hand.

I'm sick of hearing that shit.

"Um I'm only a month and a half." I said smiling, trying to be nice.

She opened her mouth to say something but the door opened. Sunny turned around.

"Uncle Damion?" she said in shock.

Damion....

I turned around. My heart instantly dropped. My anxiety quickly took over. I felt my breathing get heavier by the second.

If I didn't get out of that church right now, I was going to have a panic attack.

"Um Sunny, I have to go. Tell Star I said goodbye. I'll talk to you guys later." I said quickly.

"But Angel- Wait!" She called after me.

I quickly walked past him hiding my face and out the door.

I damn near ran to my car. Once I got to the door, I frantically searched through my purse for my keys.

"Angel!" I heard him call out. I found my keys and unlocked my door.

"Angel! Angel wait!" He was making his way over to me. I got in and locked my doors. I started the car and pulled off.

***

I came to a red light and stopped. I put my head down on the steering wheel. Tears fell out my eyes.

I can't believe it. Why is this happening to me? What's going on? I feel like my life is falling apart. I'm not safe anymore...

When did my father get out of prison?

Sunny called him uncle... That means that they're my cousins. The man I watched die was my father's brother...

Heyyyyy y'all! Shocker huh? No? Not really? Okay lol. Vote and Comment! ❤️