"All who would wish to look upon the departed may now do so. Please approach the casket in an orderly manner."
There were few people in the crowd, but all that were here were familiar to me. As I stood and approached the casket, I could see her covered in her favorite roses.
Her long brown hair was laid behind her so her body rested on it, her eyes were closed gently as if she would jump up any second. Her make up was applied professionally, hiding the wrinkles I always made fun of her for. Her hands were clasped over her torso in a resting manner.
Mom...
The thought that she would never stand up from here again made my head spin, a small tear coming to my eye.
I felt a hand in my shoulder. Slowly looking to see who it was, I saw Aiko. She wore a worried expression as she looked into my eyes, tears forming in the corners of them.
"Sorry..." I removed her hand gently and began to walk off, using the sleeve of my coat to wipe my face in hopes that I wouldn't start to break down crying.
"Erin..." Aiko struggles to keep pace with me, tripping up a little and almost falling. Luckily I manage to catch her and set her back on her feet.
"Nice going dummy." I karate chop her head. She lets off a little noise and rubs her head, pouting.
"Maybe if you didn't storm off-" Aiko starts to yell but realizes where she is and cowers a little.
"Come on," I grab onto her hand and pull her out of the room into the hallway where I put my hands on her shoulders, forcing her to look into my eyes. "I'm alright Aiko, don't worry.."
I hope that sounded believable, I don't even believe it and I'm the one who said it. But Aiko just nods anyway, giving me a sad smile.
"If you say so, Erin." I lift my hands off her shoulders, letting them fall to my side.
"I don't think we should go back in there... want to head home?" I say gesturing to the door we had just left from.
Aiko nods at my suggestion, beginning to walk out of the funeral home.
I've been living with Aiko for a few days, her family pays for the home she lives in while they work in the city. Surprisingly, the house she stays in is the exact same house she lived in when we were kids.
Time never does effect this place, does it?