Run, Girl (If You Can)

Keeley made it through the week in a haze. DOMA offered three days of paid bereavement leave but she ended up using two of her sick days as well. She would go back once the funeral was over and done with.

It was still hard to believe her dad was really gone this time. For good. It wasn't like she was going to get reborn a third time now that there wasn't any unfinished business.

Keeley believed she would see him again after she died but she had barely passed her forty-fourth birthday. The way medical advancements had been going to prolong life, that wouldn't be for several decades more likely than not.

Imagining decades without Robert Hall in her life was the most painful part of losing him. The last time this happened, she only had two miserable years without him.

Granted, back then he was all she had. She didn't have any other source of love or affection in her life. His loss hit her ten times harder back then.

This time it was difficult, as losing anyone you loved would be, but Keeley still had other people who loved her. A whole bunch of them. That was evident by all of the people who were here at the funeral with her.

In her first life, the only people who came to her dad's funeral were some of his coworkers and neighbors, plus one or two of those distant cousins benefitting from the family trust. Less than twenty people came total.

Robert's coworkers and neighbors were still in attendance, as well as some of the nurses who had cared for him at the care facility. But more importantly Keeley was surrounded by friends and family as she bid her father goodbye.

Her husband and children were glued to her side. The Singletons, Quinns, Clarks, and Griffiths all came with their families. Even Jeffrey and Keisha brought their two kids up for the day from Maryland to pay their respects.

All of these people had known and respected Robert, even if they didn't love him the way her family did. Having them here right now meant more than Keeley could possibly express.

"You alright, sweetheart?" Aaron whispered as they made their way into the church.

The program was about to start. Three people were going to give a short tribute to Robert before they moved to the cemetery to watch the casket be lowered into the ground.

Keeley was too emotional to do it herself so she ended up passing her duty off to her husband. One of Robert's oldest friends would be saying a few words as well. And so would Violet. She had been surprised when her daughter volunteered since she hated speaking in public.

She nodded to her husband. "I think so. I wore waterproof mascara so if I cry again it won't matter."

His arm around her shoulder tightened and he pressed a kiss against the side of her forehead before they sat down in the front of the church. Robert had written a will before his Alzheimer's got too bad and he had wanted his funeral to happen in the same church where he married his wife.

The pastor began the service but Keeley could hardly pay attention to it. She was too busy staring at the framed picture of her father that was set up behind his casket in between two bouquets of flowers.

It had been taken at a Yankees game he took her sons to about four years ago, before he got really sick. His eyes shone brightly and you could tell how happy he was to be there with his grandsons.

Kaleb, Oliver, and Nathan had been cropped out of the picture because only the deceased was supposed to be in the picture above the casket. But that day all four of them had been wearing matching Yankees jerseys and caps. They had all been smiling as happily as her dad was.

Keeley sighed as her eyes filled with tears yet again. At least he was back with her mother and brother and wasn't in pain anymore. Even though she and her family would miss him terribly, Robert was better off.

Once the pastor said his piece, it was Aaron's turn. He squeezed his wife's hand before heading up to the pulpit.

"Good morning everyone, my name is Aaron and Robert Hall was my father-in-law," he began in a subdued voice appropriate for the occasion. "My wife asked me to say a few words."

 The unspoken 'because she was too upset to do it herself' hung heavy in the air and Keeley could feel a dozen sympathetic glances on the back of her head. It was both comforting and unsettling at the same time. Nobody liked being stared at.

"The first time I ever met Robert, he immediately referred to me as 'son.' I never would have predicted that one day that would be true but I have been truly blessed to be considered his son. He was a wonderful father, grandfather, and man," Aaron continued.

A few people in the audience chuckled, remembering how friendly Robert had been with everyone. Some of his neighbors had heard him refer to various kids in their building in similar affectionate terms.

Keeley let out a tiny laugh despite the lump in her throat. She remembered that day, all the way back in their first life. Aaron had been so startled to be addressed that way. It was one of the rare times back then that she saw him lose his composure.

"From the moment I knew Keeley was pregnant with the twins, I had already decided I wanted to be the kind of father that Robert was. Kind, patient, supportive, and fun. He was such an example to me and to my children as they grew up. He was a vital part of our family and he will be missed dearly."

He nodded briefly at the audience to conclude his remarks and sat back down between Keeley and Nathan. She immediately leaned her head against his shoulder. There was obvious respect and affection for her father in that little speech and it had made her start crying again.