Chapter Twenty-Four | | October 31st
20 days after what will quickly be forgotten in the minds of the people of Naire, is the day our fallen members will rest in peace. It was a gloomy day and a chance of rain was forecasted on the news. The sun was mourning just as we were at home. Janet hadn't worked in over two weeks, as she had fallen ill from her loss. Tyler went back to work three days after hearing the news about his step-son. "Somebody has to go on with their life." He once said before leaving for work. Ty was right yet the plummy tone he spoke with left me feeling bitter.
Cash went MIA until last week. He contacted each Silver member to reveal the funeral day. It was today. Tanisha, Tyrell and I left our house in black suits. Mum came with us, dressed in a long dark robe. We took Denzel– No Tanisha's car and picked up the twins at the crib before going to the cemetery. Cash took Nate, Izzy and Kyle. Jessie as well as she was the only one who was able to get out of the hospital. Rayan and Blu fell into a coma. The burial was led by a priest. After the ceremony was done, it was now the Silvers gang's turn to pay its respect.
Shigeru went in front of the grave, facing us. He took a profound breath, eyes fixated on the ground. "Stand tall." he says.
"Respect." There was no more strength in his voice. Only pain and regret. He turned around and we all bowed down in front of the graves of our fallen comrades.
One, two, three, four, five
I lift my eyes up. Cash and everyone's head is still down.
Six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifthteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty..
Rain was wetting the back of our heads as we bowed longer than usual. After holding herself back for a while, Tanisha finally started to cry. Her sobs were getting louder and she quickly began to wail. Her breaths were tumultuous, tears kept streaming down her face. More sniffles were heard left and right. Tyrell, Aneesa, Jessie, Asad, Kyle, Nate and Isabe. All of them, their bodies were trembling and their backs were hunched. I was recalling my memories with each of them : Denzel, Kelvin, Jordan, Keemo, Skylar and Ace, and just before I knew it, whimpers were coming out of me and my cheeks had water running on them.
Fifty, fifty-one, fifty-two, fifty-three, fifty-four, fifty-five, fifty-six, fifty-seven, fifty-eight, fifty-nine...
"Thank you all for coming. I know it was hard for y'all... So many of us disappeared in one evening. Take care of yourselves and don't do anything stupid...Please, for their sake.." says Cash. "If you need time, it's fine, it's okay, nothing wrong with that. Cry, cry as much as you need, don't worry 'bout it, just take your time. No one's judging you for expressing yourself." He then finished.
"What will happen to us ?" asked a Silver. Cash raised his head. "What is going to happen to the Silvers, Cash ?"
Cash neared himself to the individual. " The future is an unknown aspect of life. I can't tell you for sure. All I know is that the South side is the Silver's side and the North side becomes Rox's side."
"Are you going to be our new leader ?" asks another Silver.
He faked a smile before answering. " I know someone who'd be better. JJ, please come forward." My eyes met those of Jessie, who were as surprised as mine were. She hesitated before walking forth. "JJ will become our new leader." He announces.
"The official ceremony will take place next week." He adds before passing through us.
Her eyes meet mine again. "You seem surprised. You didn't know about this ?" I ask.
"No... I had no idea." She answered, giving a half shrug, her eyes being still on Cash. She walked away mumbling something while squishing herself through the crowd.
"Cash !" blurted out Jessie. Shigeru was talking with Janet. As they saw her approaching, Janet directed herself back to her kids, giving her a soft smile as she passed by. Jessie returned the smile.
"I reconfirmed your stay with ms. Davis. She's comfortable letting you live with her. I'll help you load your baggage into her car-"
"Thank you but..."
"But...That ain't why you followed me here."
Jessie shook her head. "Why can't you be the leader ? You were Ace's right arm for many years, you have way more experience than me."
He sighed, shortly glancing at the gray sky."I was never fit to carry many responsibilities. I..." He paused, sighing once more. " I quit when it gets too hard. I quit when I can't seem to see a purpose."
"I can't do it, Shigeru. Please choose someone other than me." Implored Jessie, speaking brittly.
"Skylar told me what she saw." He changed the subject. Jessie squinted her eyes but continued to listen carefully. " A kid. She believes he's Sniper's son but he also resembles one of the kids." he continued.
"Which one ?"
"She couldn't tell me. She was in too much pain to talk. It could be Asad, Aneesa, Kyle, Tamika or even baby Iz. The resemblance was too uncanny, that's all I know. I'm telling you this in case something happens to me. That's why I'm choosing you as the leader." JJ stayed silent.
"There was someone among us that gave us off to our opps. There'll be another one, I'm sure. You're the only one I trust to become the leader, Jess...Could you reconsider ?"
Jessie looked behind her. Noticing her look back, I waved my hand. She waved back and went back to talking with Cash.
"I know someone who could do it." She responds.
* * *
Cash took the twins with him and Jessi came back home with us. Tyler was waiting alone at home.
"Make yourself at home..." says Janet as she helps JJ carry her black metallic suitcase inside.
"We didn't clean Denzel's room yet." comments Tyler as he comes out of Denzel's room. He stays in front of him, crossing his arms. As Sha and I enter our room, he looks us up and down before glancing back at our guest.
"Oh right..." says Janet covering her forehead with her palms.
"Please don't." Interrupts Jessie brutally. She pushes her luggage towards the room door "I'll keep it the way it is..." she continues.
He faked a smile. "Of course." He uncrosses his arms and walks by her, slightly brushing his shoulder against hers.