Chapter 2

It was the sound of the screeching tires that Nisa heard first. The abrasive tone raised above all the other sounds around her. The echo of their ending celebration, the low hum of the music, the laughter and cheer that spilled out of the restaurant, it all faded under that horrifying screech.

The crash seemed to shake the entire building. Though Nisa couldn't see it, the sound was unmistakable. Her family and friends were gathered in the restaurant's all glass enclosed lobby, blocking any view of what had happened. Everyone was focused on what was most likely a nasty accident by the sound of it.

Nisa instinctively whirled around, searching for her little brother. He was her responsibility, hers to care for. (Derek.) "Derek," she whispered, as she pushed through the unmoving crowd.

Someone screamed. Another scream filled the night and it sounded like her aunt.

"Derek," Nisa called out.

(Where is he?) He and Walter hadn't returned after going to the car. That had been over ten minutes ago. Nisa continued to push through her family and out onto the paved walk.

Surely, they were back by now, she thought.

Outside, her view was hindered but she saw part of a black sports car flipped over and partially on top of another car, a red sedan that looked...

The crushed sedan looked like her parent's car. Nisa's legs wobbled, and her chest ached.

(Did Derek and Walter move away in time? Were they sitting inside the crushed sedan?)

"Derek," Nisa screamed out this time. "Oh, God..."

Hands, Nisa felt hands pulling at her. (They're preventing me from getting to Derek?) He's not moving at all. He'd fallen, that's all.

(Why are they stopping me from going to him?)

"He needs me. Derek, get up. Derek?"

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SAYING GOODBYE

Six years later

Her

Nisa couldn't imagine anything more cliché than rain during a funeral. It was something Derek would have laughed about. (He was always laughing about something.)

She glanced around at all the people who were in attendance. Serious faces were focused on the casket. Of course, none of them would find the humor of rain on a day like this.

Laughter is the best medicine; she sang in her head.

"What," Spencer asked.

Nisa looked up at Spencer and shook her head. She must have spoken out loud. With a sigh, she tried to focus on the words the priest spoke. (Or is he a pastor?) She didn't know and it wasn't as if she cared. She was so over religion.

It wasn't as if she didn't believe in an omnipotent being who watched over them; she just figured the almighty gave people free will and didn't interfere. In her opinion, she and everyone else were products of their actions and the actions of others.

Derek died because of injuries that resulted from a woman running him over six years ago. Prayers for her brother's recovery may have been heard but nothing had been done. That was the point of free will and that's why she was so over religion.

The pastor

riest finished up his spiel and the crowd moved forward. They were anxious to drop their roses and get on with their lives, she supposed.

(Life, what a crock.)

Nisa watched her mother and father move forward to drop their roses. It took all she was not to roll her eyes. Why hadn't they done more?

When her mother met her gaze, Nisa saw pain, real pain, and for the first time in six years, Nisa questioned if she might be wrong about her.

Her father gave her a slow nod and she found herself nodding back.

"Who's that?" Spencer asked, distracting Nisa from her parents and her thoughts.

She loved distractions and she needed one at the moment so she looked up at Spencer and followed his gaze.

A man who stood under a tree, a good distance away, watched them. At that distance, Nisa couldn't get a good look at his features and his face was hidden by the shade of his umbrella. The only thing noticeable about him was the Patriarchs hoodie he wore.

Nisa found herself smiling. Derek loved the Patriarchs. She chuckled at that, ignoring the looks she got from some of the people close to her. Nisa remembered when Derek told everyone that he'd switched from the hometown team, the Stallions, for the Patriarchs. Their family just about freaked. But that was Derek, he decided what he liked for himself and once he had something in his head it usually stuck.

Nisa slowly lifted her hand and waved to the stranger. It took him a moment but he waved back, earning a smile from her.

"You know him?" Spencer placed his hand on the small of her back, urging her forward. He walked with her to the large hole in the ground in front of them that just swallowed up her baby brother. They were it, the last ones to throw their roses onto the casket.

"Nope," she answered honestly. She hadn't a clue who the stranger was. "He's wearing D's favorite team at D's funeral. I think that alone earns him a wave."

Even if he didn't know her brother, he could be the grounds keeper for all she knew. Whoever he was, he made her smile on the second worse day of her life. If she could kiss him, as thanks, of course, she would have.