The funeral mass at Saint Paul’s Church was lovely, with flowers lined to the hilt on both sides of the church, and the choir was melodic.  Jenna’s sister gave the eulogy about what a dedicated woman she was, and her kindness had spread to the local hospital where she had volunteered her time.  Howie had kept his distance, sitting at the corner of the church, as to not attract attention to him.  They had all went to the cemetery for the burial, with again, Howie staying as far back as he could.  Howie’s parents went up to him after the burial service, with Howie’s mother drying her eyes with a handkerchief. 

“You OK Mom?” Howie asked.

“I hate these things,” she sniffled.  “We were invited to Jenna’s house for refreshments.  Are you coming?”

“Oh… Mom, I don’t think so.  I don’t want to distract anybody.”

“You don’t have to son,” Howie’s father said.  “But it would be nice to make an appearance.”

“Its just family.  You wouldn’t be bombarded with people.”  Howie’s mother pleaded.

“Alright.” Howie said slowly. He led his parents to the car.

~*~

Howie walked up the same porch as in the picture, remembering the same creaking to the wooden steps.  They walked in the door, and Howie felt as if he had never left the place.  It had the same smell and the furniture was the same.  Howie stood in the doorway as his parents made their way in, saying hello to people.  There was quiet chatter in the living room, as Howie looked on.  He grew more uncomfortable, when he noticed a shadow walking around the kitchen, getting trays and moving them around.  He took a step closer to get a better look, when Howie’s mother walked over to him.

“Hasn’t changed much?”

“Huh?  Nope, everything is still the same.”  Howie took his mother’s hand.  “I don’t think this was a good idea coming here Mom.  I think I better go.”

“Howard Dorough!  Listen, at least pay your respects first.  It’s…” Howie’s mother turned around to footsteps coming her way.  “Ally.”

Howie’s mother gave a hug to the girl walking out of the kitchen.  Howie stopped and stared at the scene before him. 

Howie’s mother pulled away from the girl.  “Paula, thank you so much for coming,” the girl said through swollen eyes.

“I wouldn’t be anywhere else but here.  Your mother was a hell of a woman.”

“Yes she was.  She really loved you, you know.”

“The feeling was more than mutual.  Do you need any help in the kitchen?”

“No, I think I have everything under control.”  Her eyes glanced in Howie’s direction then quickly returned to Paula.

“Why don’t I get those trays out here so you can rest a minute.”  Paula looked at Howie, then went into the kitchen quickly.

A moment paused between them.  “Howard,” the girl said in a flat voice. 

“Hi Ally,” said Howie.  “I’m really sorry about your mother.”

“Thank you.” Ally said.  “I’m surprised you’re here.”

“Why?”

“It’s… nothing.” She looked away.  “If you’ll excuse me, I have to get some food ready.”  She quickly walked away.

Howie’s mother walked in back to Howie, who was speechless.  “Are you OK?”

“I really have to go, this was a bad idea.”

“Howard…”

“Say goodbye for me,” Howie quickly closed the door behind him.

Ally looked in the direction of the door.  Leave like you always do.

~*~

Ally paused a moment, then went back to putting canapés on the trays. 

A girl walked into the room, holding a glass of wine.  “I figured you could use on of these.”

“Thanks Kira,” she took the glass of wine and sipped it.  “I needed that.”

“How are you holding up?”

“OK, under the circumstances.”  Ally looked at her wineglass.  “I thought I was going to be prepared for this y’know?  Mom was sick for a while, but when it happened…”

“It wasn’t like anything you have prepared for,” Kira concluded.  “Listen, I’ll keep the store running for a few weeks.  I can’t control Mario like you, but I can handle it.”

“I appreciate it.”

“Um, I’m probably being rude and all, but wasn’t that Howie D. from the Backstreet Boys in this house before?”

“Yup,” Ally said quickly.
“OK… well let me be even more rude.”  Kira took another sip from her glass.  “What was he doing here?”

“He’s a friend of the family,” Kira downed the whole glass of wine.

“A friend…”

“Yes, a friend of the family” Ally emphasized.

“I get it, touchy subject, moving on.”  Kira looked around the kitchen.  “Ready to face the troops again?”

“Let’s do it.”

~*~

Ally finished putting the last dish in the dishwasher and wiped her hands with a washcloth.  She walked into the living room, noticing how really empty it was now.  She absently straightened out things on the tables, then took notice of the photograph on the mantelpiece.  Her mother kept that picture up for the longest time, still in that old frame from 20 years ago.  She looked at herself with that big cookie stuffed in her little mouth and closed her eyes.  She kept away from that photo for a long time, but after today, she felt compelled to stare at it.  She moved it into the kitchen counter where she was going to throw it away.

Those days are definitely gone…

Chapter 4
Contents
Chapter 2