“Dreary…” the petite blond said aloud to the empty room of her hotel. Even though the sun had started to raise, it had only made the sky gray. Mitchelle had been looking out the hotel’s window over the metropolis for a few minutes now; quietly sipping on some bland hot chocolate that had been marked premium by someone with no tastes buds. These were the types of days she would commonly still be curled under her favorite blanket, trying to snatch some extra sleep in. But no… this morning she was wide awake, dressed, and now just waiting for the appropriate moment to leave. For once, she didn’t want to be extremely early. There had to be others there that would have been closer to him than she. Sure, she had done a few ‘good deeds’ with him. And sure he had kept a few tabs on her since their last job together, but still… nobody ever wanted too early to a funeral, right?
Taking a deep breath slowly through her nose, she turned from the window. On the dresser was the last little piece to make the mourning ensemble complete; a dainty 1940’s hat with a veil attached. Picking it up she went to the mirror to pin it in place. While putting it in place she took inventory of all the items she felt like maybe she owed him. The jewels she had taken from a job that she wasn’t supposed to. At the time it didn’t seem like such a big deal, in fact she hadn’t felt really guilty about till he had past. The ring had to go back… So did the bracelet… And the earrings. She was going to look rather bare with out the jewels, but perhaps it will help her sleep. Since hearing the news of Patrick's passing, Mitchie hadn't been able to sleep. Not even her Alfie had cuddle her out of her funk. Bringing down the veil down past her nose. She couldn't help her slight flair to her usually understated way of dressing.
The blonde head shook a little as she sighed, “I’m just going to go…” Grabbing up her umbrella, she went out into the hall. It would be easy to just walk around a little bit if she was too early. No one really knew her there besides his family… Okay there were a few others she had a passing knowledge of and they of her. Secretly she sort of hoped that they wouldn’t be around. Then again, it could be a nice chance to get to know someone a little better. Again the short blonde locks shook against her scalp getting close to people that were in the game was risky. They usually didn’t stick around long. Her family taught her that. Nodding to door man, he whistled and called her a cab.
The ride was uneventful, she didn’t say much to the driver. Luckily, he wasn’t too chatty either. That was always weird. When the driver wanted to her to talk about her life. What could she really say? And today she didn’t really feel like putting on show. Maybe her clothing was enough for him to realize that she wasn’t exactly there for pleasure. Looking out the window she watched buildings pass her by she had given him the address of a place that was a street away. Walking was something she wanted to do, movement kept her brain focused. She really didn’t want to go into this feeling as sluggish as she already felt. Overpaying the cabbie, she started to walk. Since hearing of Patrick’s death she hadn’t really felt like herself. She twirled the ring around her finger a little. She would give it all back. Then after all of this she would go back to the hotel, climb back up to her floor and break into her. Life would return to normal and the next day she would go back to her Alfie.
It wasn’t a long walk, but it still was a little shock to her when her feet found the stairs of the Church. Large blues eyes about her. There weren’t too many people here yet. People weren’t streaming into the large doors. She wondered if their feet felt like lead too. The church doorway was beautiful. Catholics really know how to build a church, she thought when she reached out to pull the door open.The last time Mitchie was in a church she had been performing in an ‘underground’ circus group. That one had been abandoned and withered with disuse. This one was different. The light coming from the stained glass was warm in and inviting. It felt a little strange considering why she was there.
“Mitchelle?”
The familiar voice broke the spell of the window, the blue eyes looked to the new widow. Mitchie smile was a little shaky. Do you smile in this situation? “Oh Mitchie, I am so glad you came.”Shea’s arms warped around the petite girl. For the first time since hearing the news of his death, Mitchie felt a few tears escape her eyes as she returned the hug.“Of course I came,” she cooed softly to the grifter. The acrobat had known of Shea before she had known of Pat. They weren’t close but they knew of each other and met a few times. It was probably Shea that had After a moment the older woman let go. Each straightened their clothes a little as Shea led the way down the aisle to the casket.“I heard you were in Paris at the time though.” Mitchie nodded to that, “That can wait. They aren’t going anywhere.” Shea smiled a little and nodded to that sentiment.All too soon they were in front of the casket.
She should have been prepared for this, but being this close to the box that held her friends body made her freeze. This isn't right,she thought as she looked back to Shea. Something should be said, she knew that. There were no words though. The woman looked older than she remembered her to be. It had only been about a year since she had last seen her.“I am sorry,”he started her soft tones sounding rather strained,“I brought back these back... I took them on our last job…”Her finger went to the ring on her hand pulling it off. “Mitchie…” The older of the two women started to hold up her hand to stop her. “No, I want to give them back.” Starts to remove the earrings as well.“I shouldn’t have taken them,”she said handing over the earrings and ring. Shae took them and looked down at them, “The client got what they needed from our help. Patrick knew you took these and the necklace.” Mitchie’s fingers were working the tie behind her neck and stopped. “Why didn’t he stop me?” Shea shrugged a little as she held out jewels back to her, “He must have had his reasons…” "No, keep them. Use it for the twin’s and girl’s college funds or something,”Mitchie replied bringing the necklace away from her. “That is too much Mitchie, besides we aren’t bad off by any means.” “But…” “If you feel like you need to clear your conscious, then I’ll keep these and you just owe me one for the necklace.” Some where someone else called Shea’s name making her sigh but she smiled to Mitchie, “We’ll talk again soon.” With that Mitchie was alone again.
Looking down at the necklace in her hand, Mitchie couldn’t help but blink then to the casket. A deep breath was taken in through her nose as she closed her eyes. Fingers on autopilot as she tied the chocker was put back in place. What was she to do now? Looking back down the pews to the door she saw that more people were streaming in and starting to sit down. Taking it as a cue she took a seat five pews back from the front.That was respectful right?she wondered as watched people that were related or closer to Pat take seats nearer the front. Delicate fingers rubbed against the spot where the ring once was, the blonde head filled with the thought of what the favor would be. Murmurs of chatter was all around her. If someone came to talk to her, she was polite. If she didn’t know them she would have to make up some story about how she knew Pat or had known him. If she knew them then, she would talk a little more but not too much. After a while everyone was where they would be sitting, then there was a swell of organ music. Everyone stood. The priest took his place and the funeral began.
-Time skip-
The funeral was beautiful and perfect. Mitchie had chosen not to follow the family and closest friends to the burial. It didn’t feel right to be there in the way of those that had a deeper connection to them then she had. Luckily, it seemed that a number of others had the same feeling. She was going to take a taxi to the wake but one of the others at the funeral had offered to give her a ride with a group of others. Taking a seat in the back next to a window, she simply listened to the chatter. It was all about Patrick; his life and his death. How it was such a shock and no one knew why it happened. Blonde head leaned against the window as she fought some tears. Nothing she could say really could contribute to the conversation. So there she sat waiting for the van to come to a stop.
The driver pulled up right in front of the bar. People continue to chat a little as they got out. Mitchie smiled at the man who helped her out as thanks. He offered to get her a drink after he was done parking the car, which she accepted with nod. Before quickly going inside. The room wasn’t completely ready yet. People were milling around bring food onto one of pool tables, some were just chatting already drinking their first beer. Following some of the crowd into the back, she decided that keeping busy may keep people from wanting to talk to her too much. She still didn’t know what she could say to the other grievers. Sorry…Didn’t seem like enough and anything more seemed like they were trying to fill the space Pat left empty.
