Chapter Ten

Chapter Ten: Funerals and Affairs
              I was woken up by Mr. Thursday. “Lysander, are you okay?”
              
“Yeah, I’m fine. Where are we?”

              “Atlanta, Georgia”

              “Oh”

              “Henry was born in Atlanta, wasn’t he?” I sat up straight.

              “How the Hell did you know that!?”

              “I told you the day we met, there are many things I know about you” It seems no matter how angry I become Mr. Thursday always is level headed and calm…it ticks me off.

              “I’ve decided to start you’re pay off a little early.”

              “Huh?”

              “Look in your pocket” I reached in my pocket and felt three coins; I pulled one of them out and notice it was gold color.

              “Is this real gold?”

              “Yes” he replied, but I bit it to make sure.

              “Wow…um…thanks”

              “You’re quite welcome. I also thought you would have liked to go to Henry’s funeral.” And in seconds we were in front of a funeral home. Mr. Thursday dropped me off at the funeral home and said: “Call my number at a pay phone when you’re ready to be picked up. I’ll be getting us a room at the Red Roof Inn on Peach Street.” And he drove off.  
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I looked around Henry’s funeral room and noticed most of his family was there. I said Hi to most of them and some of them said Hi back, but most of them looked surprised at my presence, one of them even asked why I even wanted to be here.
              “He’s my best friend. Why wouldn’t I want to be here?” I walked over to Henry’s casket and I saw him there. He was wearing a black suit and he had his arms across his chest. I just stared at him.  He looked like Henry- I mean he was Henry- but the Henry I knew was restless and excited about everything and to see him just laying there with his eyes closed and looking all peaceful was just….unnatural. I heard a door open behind me and I saw Henry’s girlfriend, Melissa appear next to me.

“Hey, Mel.” I said, but she completely ignored me. Instead she set one of Henry’s favorite novels “American Gods” into the casket and then she spat unto his face. I saw the salvia roll off his cheek and into his ear, I was so appalled I thought I was seeing things.  I ran over to Melissa who was outside smoking.

“What did you do that for?” She turned around and stared at me for a minute as if she didn’t know me.

“Oh…hi Ly, are you talking about the “American Gods.”  You know that’s his favorite book. “

“You spat on him! Why’d you do that!? He loved you!” I screamed. Melissa calmly took a long whiff of her cigarette and exhaled it out.

“Oh you mean that, I thought you of all people would understand. “

“What do you mean?”

“The day Henry got shot was the day he was walking from Catherine’s apartment to his car”

“So?”

“They were having an affair, Lysander! Those two were screwing while you were in prison and behind my back!” I had heard her correctly, but I wish I hadn’t. I couldn’t believe it and I wouldn’t believe it.

“What evidence do you have?”

“Plenty. You’ll find out on your own too, soon enough.”
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When I saw Henry lowered into the ground and I didn’t feel hostility towards him or any joy that he was dead, instead I felt…pity. I waited ‘till everyone left for the reception so I could talk with Henry alone.

“I’ve heard you’ve been sleeping around with Catherine. Don’t worry, I’m not mad. You were my best friend, how could I be mad? I…I just hope you’re some place better…than this.” And as a goodbye gift I dug a little hold on Henry’s grave and dropped on of my gold coins in and then covered it up with earth.