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Post by Butch O'Neal on Oct 2, 2012 22:19:36 GMT -5
The box was pitifully small, but it comprised the last items worn by his son. He'd been putting this off, but it was coming to the time where he had to suck it up and move forward. Marissa by his side, he pulled open the lid of the box. His goal here was to find out more about Neal, about who he was as a person, from the boy's own point of view. He knew the basic facts and Vishous could find the details, but that's not what he wanted. He wanted to know everything that Neal would have eventually told him.
Neal's jacket was lying on top of the other things in the box and he pulled it out, trying the impossible task of ignoring the blood and bullet hole. He checked the pockets, but found nothing and set the jacket aside. The boy's jeans were bloody and torn, but he found Neal's wallet. Taking a breath, he just held it in his hand and looked at Marissa, praying for strength.
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Post by Marissa O'Neal on Oct 2, 2012 22:26:01 GMT -5
*Looked at him and gave a soft encouraging smile.* It's alright Nallum. You need to know, to understand more.
*Placed an arm around his shoulder and her other hand on his as her opened the wallet and began to fumble through the contents. She knew this was going to be tough. He'd lost his brother to a devastating disease, and now a son he didn't know he had...to a coward. She rubbed her thumb back and forth across the skin of his hand*
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Post by Butch O'Neal on Oct 2, 2012 22:34:55 GMT -5
With Marissa's encouragement he went through the wallet. It didn't have much, really. He found a fake ID, an old movie ticket, and a small key stamped with 'CBS 119.' He'd seen keys like that before. Holding it in the palm of his hand, he looked to Marissa. "This is for the Caldwell Bus station, for a locker. Neal must be keeping some things there while he was living on the street."
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Post by Marissa O'Neal on Oct 2, 2012 22:42:03 GMT -5
*Took the key from his hand and held it up in front of her face, then clasped it in her palm.* We should go see if his belongings are still there, I wouldn't want anyone else getting a hold of his things.
*She sighed and kissed his cheek* I know he didn't have much, but what he had I would like to protect.
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Post by Butch O'Neal on Oct 2, 2012 22:52:31 GMT -5
He nodded and leaned his forehead against hers for just a minute, giving himself one minute of weakness, taking Marissa's strength to get him through this. "I do too. I want something of his besides the memory of our last moments together." He picked up his head and kissed her. "You are amazing, you know that? I love you and I can't tell you how much it means to me that you've stood by me through this whole ordeal, are standing by Neal now." He stood and pulled her to her feet. "Let's go and get his things."
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Post by Marissa O'Neal on Oct 2, 2012 23:00:19 GMT -5
*She nodded and pulled him into a hug* I love you and wouldn't be anywhere else....no matter the ordeal, I'll always be right there.
*As he took her hand they walked together to the garage get in one of the vehicles. They hadn't replace the Escalade yet and had to take one of the cars. He helped her inside, she buckled her seat belt and looked at him as he got in and started the car, lacing her fingers with his, she kissed his knuckles.* Alright let's get this done.
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Post by Butch O'Neal on Oct 2, 2012 23:08:04 GMT -5
He held her hand tightly as he drove to downtown Caldwell. He didn't talk much during the ride, too busy thinking over how much his life had changed, and yet not, over the last week. One week ago he was happy in his life, with his shellan, his friends and brothers. Now, he wanted something he would never have. He wanted Neal back, he wanted to get to know the young man, watch him turn into an adult, guide him through life. That would never happen. It was unclear if he and Marissa would ever have children. Neal might have been their only chance to be parents.
Trying to push aside the sorrow that came with the reminder of Neal and his death, he pulled into the bus station parking lot and got out, walking around to help Marissa out. Hand in hand, they entered the station. It was quiet this time of night and he led her straight to the lockers. Finding 119, he pulled the key out of his pocket and slid it into the lock. With one last look at Marissa, he turned the key and pulled it open. Inside there was only a backpack and he pulled it out. "Do you want to go back to the mansion to look through it?"
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Post by Marissa O'Neal on Oct 2, 2012 23:16:26 GMT -5
*The station was empty and their steps echoed through out the building. There were only a few people, snoozing on the benches, waiting for their bus. When they reached the locker she gave him a nod and smile as he turned the key. When he pulled out the old, worn backpack...tears welled in her eyes. She looked at him and nodded.* I think we should...I don't, I don't want to do this here.
*Looked around at how impersonal it was and shook her head.* Definitely back home.
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Post by Butch O'Neal on Oct 2, 2012 23:24:31 GMT -5
Again, he nodded and took her hand. He swung the backpack over his shoulder and closed the locker, leaving the key in the door. He briefly considered keeping the key, but it would only be another reminder that Neal had been living on the street, hating him for not being there. It was little consolation that he hadn't actually ditched Neal and his mother during his drug haze. He still felt like he'd abandoned him, that he'd failed him.
Getting back in the car, he handed the bag to Marissa, wanting Neal's things to be safe, even for the short ride home. He took her hand again, willing to admit he needed all the help he could get to get through this. Again, there was little conversation on the way home, both of them anxious to get the bag open and see what few things Neal had held precious in his short life.
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Post by Marissa O'Neal on Oct 2, 2012 23:51:26 GMT -5
*Hugged the bag close to her chest as they drove through the city. Reaching the mansion they drove through the mhis and parked the car back in the garage.
Once back at the Pit she laid the bag down on the table and looked at it.* You should open it Nallum.
*She got down on her knees in the floor at the coffee table and patted the floor next to her for him to sit. Pushed the bag closer to him.*
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Post by Butch O'Neal on Oct 3, 2012 0:04:22 GMT -5
He sat on the floor next to her and zipped open the worn bag. There was a change of clothes, recently cleaned, that he pulled out and set on the table. The only other items were a few toiletries and a think envelope. Pulling the envelope out, he opened the unsealed flat and smiled when he saw the telltale glossy finish of photographs. Pulling them out, he stared at the top one, obviously one looked at often as it was creased and the sides were worn. The photo was of Neal, just a year or so ago, with an attractive woman. He could see, if he looked closely, signs that they were living on a strict budget and he could even see signs of his mother's profession. But those things didn't matter to him. All he saw was their happiness and obvious love for each other. He handed the photo to Marissa and started going through the rest of the stack.
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Post by Marissa O'Neal on Oct 3, 2012 0:15:11 GMT -5
*She took the picture and looked at it running a finger over Neal's face, as a couple of tears fell down her cheeks.* She was pretty and he looked happy with his Mahmen.
*She sat that one to the side and took the next few he handed her. There were some of him as a small young, and even a baby. All with his mahmen.* These are priceless. I need to get an album for them.
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Post by Butch O'Neal on Oct 3, 2012 0:25:44 GMT -5
He loved looking at these pictures of Neal at all ages. It was like having a piece of his childhood, something that made him feel like he was a part of Neal's life, even if he had only a small piece of it. He didn't even care that his eyes misted as he looked through the pictures of Neal, or his mother, or them together. "These are amazing. He was so handsome. I wish things could have been different for them." Shaking his head, he reached the start of the pictures and he set them aside. "I'm glad you helped me work up the courage to look through his stuff finally. These pictures will be great for Thursday night. Everyone will like to see them."
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Post by Marissa O'Neal on Oct 3, 2012 0:28:34 GMT -5
*Set the pictures aside and turned to him, she put her hands on either side of his face an smiled* And I'm glad you were able to do it, this was a rough time. You are so strong Nallum. Such a male of worth.
*She reached over and place the pictures back into the envelope* I agree they will love the pictures on Thursday. I'll have them put in an album and get the most recent one blown up and framed, I'll have Fritz take care of it tomorrow.
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Post by Butch O'Neal on Oct 3, 2012 0:40:19 GMT -5
He smiled at her. "Thank you, baby. I don't know how I could have done any of this without you." He reached forward and pulled her into his arms and on his lap. He just needed to hold her, to know she was here and safe...his. "I love you, sweetheart. More than anything. I'm so relieved you'll be standing next to me for the Fade ceremony."
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Post by Marissa O'Neal on Oct 3, 2012 0:56:01 GMT -5
*She leaned into him and smiled.* I am happy to be there for you. It will be beautiful, and Neal and his mother can finally be at peace.
*They sat like that for a long while, before retreating to their mated rooms. There was much to be done. She wanted to make sure this was perfect for them and for Butch*
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