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My eyes waded through the sea of mourners Across the center aisle, a fes back I discovered Jenny Wade glaring at me "What do you see in that little bitch?" she once asked Her glower repeated the question "She's a dead end Can't you see that? She's going to break your heart"

You happy now? I scolded Jenny with arid eyes Are we even? Do you like seeing my heart broke? I continued in a tearless stare Shannie didn't break an Up yours Jenny, saidat ! I turned away I wished this was her funeral

"At least she's honest," Count reive her that much" One always knehere they stood with Jenny Wade

The organ lost its bluster The lingering notes faded into the brownstones In near unison the congregation sat with a thuh escorted the heavy jowled ly over the packed church

"I swear he wanted to smile," Shannie said after the service "He probably never saw his church so crowded Probably praying for residual memberships - probably wished he passed the plate" When I told her Catholics pass the plate she answered, "Whatever!"

The good reverend began his reading, so from the book of lamentations His voice boomed, thick and powerful, full of conviction A short strand of hair dangled froh forehead like a broken tree over a cliff I stared at the reverend, trying to listen I lacked his conviction His voice faded, his enunciated words muddled - a victim of my nu fro a sea of disbelieve Count couldn't be dead

"Count's not dead, is he?" I questioned God "It's a big joke, right? How about a trade I'll take Count back and you can have Steve Lucas, Jenny Wade, hell, take lanced about, unsure if anyone heard hts

When I was confident no one heard me, I raised my head I looked at Count, the sun danced atop his casket Like the rest of the country it see A warsun, but Shannie and I feel vanquished Shannie glanced up, her bloodshot eyesmine