Fan Fiction |
by Jenny Tran
It took a week to discover Mel’s body lying at a stench down the hill he had fallen from. Surprisingly Phil was never found, maybe he had lived through the ordeal. Whatever reason, the cops could not find his body. They took his body back to Cheung Gor, who was devastated at the scene before him. Addy at first refused to believe it not much less see it but Don said he would go with her to the hospital where they kept his corpse cool. Addy cringed when the blanket was pulled up and Mel’s face appeared blue like and still.
She leaned in closer to Don “Oh my God….” She moaned painfully.
Don wrapped an arm around her as he coaxed her gently “It’s okay…”
The two returned home where Cheung Gor was talking about Mel’s burial ceremony. He would make it bigger than his own funeral, for all the years Mel was faithful to the gang. Snow was quickly informed since she was the only contact to Kathy. She stayed at Mel’s apartment to keep Kathy company yet it seemed she was the only one talking.
One night after she fed Kathy rice congee, she talked about Mel’s funeral for the first time “I heard from Gor that it is going to be magnificent. The biggest possible. He’s always been appreciated.” Snow added with a smile. When Kathy didn’t move, she leaned in closer to her friend “Kathy…I know you can hear me…please talk to me. I can’t see you like this…Mel would be devastated.”
She was about to continue when she heard the doorbell rang. Snow got up and opened it, she quickly recognized the face across from her “Neil…right?”
Neil nodded grimly “Is Kathy here?”
Snow nodded and stepped aside for him to come in “She’s been in shock since…” she couldn’t bear to say the words.
“Mel died…” Neil finished it for her.
“How did you know?” Snow asked incredulously.
He turned to her “It’s all over the news. Apparently the war was known by the police. They’ve been expecting it to happen. When I saw it on TV, I knew Kathy would not take it too well.” He turned to his best friend who sat still as a rock. He walked over to her and placed a gentle hand on her own “Kathy…” he began.
Her reaction made Snow’s heart skip a beat, she turned her head to Neil and looked at him in the eye “That’s the most movement she’s made yet!!” Snow cried happily “Get her to talk. She’s hasn’t said a word yet.”
Neil nodded as he turned his eyes to Kathy “It’s me…Neil. Do you remember?” she looked away blankly and then nodded “Can you talk to me?”
This time she turned away and came back to her dazed position. Her eyes blinked ever so slowly and a tear came out. Then she let out a horrible sobbing cry as she rocked her face in her own hands “He’s gone!!!” it sounded more like a shriek as Snow flinched in pain for her friend. Neil quickly wrapped his arms around her shoulders and waist as he hugged her warmly. Snow covered her mouth to keep her whimpers from escaping while Neil continued to hug her harder.
“Shhh….it’s okay…it’s okay…” he said it over and over until her sobs turned quieter. Eventually she allowed her eyes to close as she leaned onto his chest. He looked up at Snow who wiped away the tears “She’s probably exhausted.”
Snow sniffed back the tears “Yeah…I don’t even know if she has the strength to go tomorrow. It’s his funeral.” She explained when Neil looked at her blankly.
“Don’t push her…if she wakes up the take her. But if she doesn’t...don’t wake her.” He suggested. Snow nodded as she watched Neil pick Kathy up with ease and took her into her own room.
The next morning, Snow woke up earlier than normal as she changed into a black suit she brought along after learning about Mel’s funeral. When she was ready to leave, she found Kathy already up and ready to go. Snow widened her eyes as she looked at her up and down, she looked like a complete angel in a white suit. “Kathy….” She began.
Kathy smiled warmly at her friend as she hugged her dearly “Thank you so much….”
Snow pulled away with a curious expression “You’re okay now?”
“I don’t think I’ll ever be.” Kathy said solemnly “But I know I cannot make the people that care about me worry anymore than they already have. Including yourself. I know Mel would want that.”
“I’m glad you’re back.” Snow smiled.
“Let’s go. I don’t want to be late.” She smiled as the two walked towards the door.
When the entered the funeral home, a hush of silence grew over the crowd. Everyone knew of Kathy’s shock and were staring to see if she was still in it. She met no one’s eyes but the picture of Mel framed at the end of the room where a casket stood. The formal announcement was heard when she began walking down the aisle where she paid her last respects to Mel.
She let Snow have a minute at the open casket as the girl teared up and walked to the side and stood next to her brother. Then it was Kathy’s turn. She walked over and at first her eyes would not let her look at his changed looks. But when she looked up, she had to choke back the tears. His face was more puffy but his features were still recognizable. She closed her eyes as she let her thoughts take her away.
“Guest have arrived!” the announcer called.
Addy turned to the door and found Kacy pushing her father with a wheelchair and her blood began to boil “What the hell are you two doing here?” she growled viciously as she stood up and walked over to the two. “Hasn’t your family caused enough pain!! Get the hell out, no one welcomes you here!!”
Kacy looked up at Addy “We just want to pay respects to Mel Gor.”
“Fuck you all!!” Addy spat harshly.
“STOP!!!” Kathy cried as she turned from the casket “Can we have some peace and quiet?? For God’s sake, it’s his funeral.” Her eyes burned into Addy who backed away and returned to her place next to her father. Kathy walked over to Kacy and her father “Warm wishes are welcomed.”
Kacy smiled “Thank you.” The two gave their respects and left.
But before she reeled her father away, the man gently tapped her on the hand over his shoulder “Wait.” He turned to Cheung Gor “My friend, I’m sorry for all this. Had I have any control, it would have never happened.”
Cheung Gor nodded “I know. I don’t blame you.”
Kacy smiled “Tiger gang will no longer be a nuisance. Because after tomorrow, it will no longer exist.” She gave him a wink before disappearing “Thanks for the wakeup call.”
***************
For the next few months, Kathy tried to lead her life as normal as possible. She continued to wear the ring Mel gave her, it was a reminder of him and she promised herself never to take it off. She continued to watch the news everyday following the case of Luke, who was on trial for murdering Wong. In the end he was sentenced for 10 years in prison. Kathy found it too kind of a sentence but she was not the judge. If she was, he would be condemned to maximum security prison, but unfortunately not everything works out that way.
The news about Mel’s death quickly died down in the Triad world. No one spoke about him nor did they care to. He was old news, they concentrated on their own lives and have moved on. Kathy new it was her turn next.
One day as Kathy took a walk along the harbor. She reminisced about the old times. Her thoughts traveled back to the first time she met Mel. How he scared her to death, she recalled him threatening to rape her. A smile crossed her face when she remembered how frantic she must look. His thoughts and his words would forever be sketched in her mind. Yet deep down she knew she could not let go so easily. There would be no one that could take his place in her heart.
When she was tired, she took a seat on a stone bench by the pier and watched the boats go by. At the corner of her eyes, she saw a figure walking towards her. She didn’t look up and didn’t bother to when the figure sat next to her with a comfortable aura. “Beautiful isn’t it?” it was a male voice.
Kathy didn’t reply as she turned her head away and continued to look at the boats. The voice sounded familiar but not enough to catch her interest. She didn’t want to make herself go crazy because he sounded a bit like Mel. Normally, she would have moved away shyly or stand up and walk away. Instead, she sat firmly on the seat refusing to let her shyness take over. “I didn’t catch your name.” the guy tried again.
Kathy snickered “I didn’t give it.”
He laughed comfortably “Maybe you should.”
“I don’t think so.” She said.
“You won’t regret it.” He said in a teasing tone.
Kathy sighed annoyingly “I don’t regret anything.”
“My name is Melvin.” The guy said with a twinkle in his voice.
Kathy snapped her head over and she almost fell off her seat. She began backing away as she felt her legs go soft again. She knew the feeling all too well “Mel…” she pointed to the guy who was identical to Mel. Her eyes slowly closed as she fell back, but their was no pain. The guy claiming to be Mel had caught her in his arms.
When Kathy woke up, she noticed she was in a white room. It was a hospital room. She looked around but felt oddly strange about the whole thing. Then her memory reminded her, she saw a guy looking like Mel. When she tried to convince herself otherwise, a sharp pain ran through her temple. She touched it and heard the door open. She looked up and found Addy along with Don there. “You okay?” Addy asked with wide eyes.
“I…I thought I saw Mel earlier. How did I get here?” she asked.
Addy shrugged “You’re imagining stuff…I took you here. You fainted at the pier and at the same time Don and I were walking around and so we took you in.”
Don nodded in compliance with her story “That’s true.”
Kathy shook her head strangely “I knew I saw him….but he said his name was Melvin…and he looked just like Mel!” she insisted.
“I don’t know. We didn’t see anyone. Maybe you….you saw his spirit.” She whispered.
“No…it can’t be, it was too real!” Kathy was in disbelief.
“Whatever, so you’re okay? No injuries?” Addy asked and Kathy shook her head “Okay. Let’s go home. Daddy wants to have a word with you.”
She didn’t think anything of it as she got up and allowed Don to help her up. “Thank you.” She said kindly.
Addy looked over and slapped Don on the hand “I can help her. Don’t be touching her…” she said with open jealousy.
Don laughed as he placed his hands on his hips “I can touch whomever I want.” He retorted.
Kathy laughed as she shook her head “Mel was right, you two really need to get laid.”
Addy dropped her jaw in shock but turned to the smiling Don with her tongue sticking out “He wishes.”
“Keep dreaming.” Don said sarcastically.
“Don’t you mean it’s more like a nightmare?” Addy snapped. Kathy rolled her eyes as the two continued to go at it.