[ Epilouge I ]

                                    

                                          

                            

                                
                            
                              
                                  
                              
                              
                                
                                  
                                  
                                
                              
                             
                            
                            
                          
                          

                            

                                
                            
                              
                                  
                              
                              
                                
                                  
                                  
                                
                              
                             
                            
                            
                          
                          
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"He wanted this,Missus. It ain't your fault." Twitch softly stated, his calloused hand finding its way to my shoulder as he gave a gentle squeeze.
"You uh...want me to leave now or?" An older man asks, as he stood a few feet away. I gave a glare before nodding once, specifying that he would leave Twitch and I to give final goodbyes before he lowered him into the ground forever.
In my rigid clutch, the book of poetry that held our saying-along with his personal box of letters from Jane. I just stared at the casket, knowing that I needed to open it and place the items inside.
"When you're ready,Missus. Take your time." Twitch reassured, my breath hitching in my throat as I closed my eyes. 
I stepped forward slowly, looking at the surface of the casket as Twitch reached over. He gave me a look, to which I nodded. The top of the oak casket opened almost in slow motion as I exhaled loudly, claiming my bottom lip between my teeth as I promised myself that I wouldn't cry anymore. I was acting like a child, and I could practically see J rolling his eyes at me. 
"Don't be such a baby."
I slight chuckle reverberated through my chest as I imagined his wild eyes and mocking look as he would tease me, my hand lightly touching the edge of the polished wood as I peered inside of the casket with watery eyes.
J laid peacefully, his face bare of greasepaint as his freckled face was on full display. I had him buried in his favorite band t-shirt and those pinstripe pants he would fight with me over-it's a fashion statement-he would mutter as I would roll my eyes at his horrible style. 
I wiped my nose with my wrist before I began to place the items on the side of his body. I clutched the book of poetry with a serious grip as I stared at the leather bound cover with a heavy heart. My shaking fingers smoothed over the cover before slipping to the side of the book as I flipped the book open. I smoothed over the pages as I smiled faintly, remembering the times we would share entries with one another in the late hours of the night in his dingy living room light.