[center][color=teal][h2]Jessamyn "Jess" Bailey[/h2][/color][/center]

At the sudden wave of anger, Jess clenched her fists by her sides.

She looked up as her mother placed a hand on her tense shoulder. [color=aqua]"Oh, sweetie, there's no need to feel guilty,"[/color] her mom reassured her, eyes filled with concern. [color=aqua]"You'd have said goodbye if you could have."[/color]

Even though her reaction had been for a different reason, Jess had to admit to herself if was partly because of that. For five years, she'd carried the guilt around like a lead weight she couldn't get rid of. Guilt over having further hurt her family, however unintentionally. She recalled the sickening anger roiling from her mom back then. It had been directed at the situation rather than at her, but that hadn't stopped Jess feeling that way towards herself.

[color=teal]"I'll... I'll be able to say goodbye now,"[/color] she replied. It wouldn't make up for not having been to the funeral, but going to the cemetery was all she could do.

Her mother gave a sad smile. [color=aqua]"If you want, I can take you later,"[/color] she offered. [color=aqua]"You'll be able to cope with that now, won't you?"[/color]

Jess nodded. She had to be able to cope. She had to be able to come to terms with what had happened. She looked over her shoulder at Roxy. [color=teal]"Would you be ok with that?"[/color] she asked, bracing herself for how Roxy would react. The anchor most likely wouldn't refuse - standoffish as she was, she wasn't cruel - but it didn't take much to upset her. [color=teal]"We'll be... visiting a grave."[/color] The words came out in a hollow mumble. [color=teal]"My dad's grave."[/color]