Leonardo Azure had not once in his life imagined he’d be in this situation. Not once did he ever consider the idea of attending Harry Pierce’s funeral. A part of him never even considered the thought that he may outlive his childhood best friend. Not that they’d even been friends for the past almost 40 years. There would always be a part of Leo that would hold onto that version of Harry, the one he knew growing up, that he thought of as a brother not simply a friend.
It was that part of him that now felt that maybe something should’ve been done before, to rebuild that burned bridge. But there’s nothing that can be done now. Harry was gone. The person who was once such an important part of his life all those years ago, was gone. Everything between them had changed so much over those years, not even speaking to each other, but there was still a part of him left mourning the friend he once had.
When it came time for the funeral, Leo stayed out of sight as best he could. He knew that his presence would be unwelcome when it came to most everyone else there, but he had to be there. For his former best friend, to say goodbye. And for the love of his life.
When it was time for the reading of Harry’s will, Leo wasn’t even sure if he should be around. Even if he wanted to be a support to Addie, he couldn’t hide in the background the same way. He would be surrounded by the people in Harry’s life that were closest to him, who likely wouldn’t take his presence as well as Leo would like. So, Leo found himself standing off to the side, a drink in hand, simply watching.
It was complicated, mourning the friend he once had, yet also remembering the man who had knowingly married the love of Leo’s life. There were many conflicting feelings, even without everything else going on. His mind was racing, drowning in the weight of it all, in some ways he had to stay almost numb to keep it all contained. There was so much to process, and this wasn’t the place for any of it. The phone call. The email. The will. Addie. Everything.
That’s when she showed up. A little girl trying to get his attention. She had to be around the age of one of his grandchildren. Raphael’s daughter, perhaps? Meaning she was probably around nine years old or so. She mentioned her grandparents. She must’ve been Harry’s granddaughter. One of Addie’s granddaughters.
Leo had never been good with children. Not in the past, and certainly not now. Not with his children, or grandchildren. Yet here he was, with a child who had a look in her eye much like her grandmother, that she was not backing off until she was satisfied with the answers given to her.
“I’m someone your grandpa knew a long time ago.” That was the simplest way to say it. His relationship with Addie was hard to explain in general, and did not need to be explained to a child. But harry was someone he knew a long time ago.
Short answers, and maybe it’d be enough, but ignoring her wouldn’t get him anywhere. “I didn’t write the will, but I was told I should be here for the will anyway. So I’m just waiting right here until it’s time to find out what’s in the will. I just prefer not talking and being left alone.” He was already dealing with a lot, and he did not need a talkative child not wanting to leave him alone on top of it.