Chapter 4

 Lily’s POV

“He’s gone? Mr.Holland is gone? No, it can’t be.” She screamed as she held her Mama by her shoulders. The doctor coming out to drop the news sent every negative sensation to Lily's body. 

Damson had left immediately, she was pretty sure he couldn’t handle breaking down with his reputation but she couldn’t hold it in. Her mother was now taking over the consoling she should be doing that instead but she couldn’t. 

Her mother understood what it meant to lose another figure in her life. She knew it wasn’t going to be the same for her Mama too. She paused her tears, turning to her Mama and giving her a big hug. 

“ Mama, it hurts. I miss him already. I can’t think of how you feel, you’ve known him for over 25 years”. She had said to her mother.

Molly breaks down in tears in her daughter's arms, unable to say anything.

“ Mama, don’t cry I trust Mr. Holland, he’ll watch over us all”, Lily had said to console her mother. She hadn't accepted he was dead yet but she knew she had to console her Mama. 

Leaving the hospital, Lily escorted her Mama back to the house. She had wanted to stay behind but her Mama knew she would have to prepare for graduation in a few days. 

Her Mama had mentioned that other staff would be around to keep her company so she had felt a little relaxed so that her Mama would feel a little less lonely. Her ride was here and it was time to go home. 

It was a pretty short ride for Lily as she had zoned off thinking about how the day had gone. Justin had called several times and she hadn’t dared to break the news to him.

She climbed the stairs to her place and rustled her bags for her keys, she was caught by surprise when she met Justin there, whatever he was doing at her doorstep she needed a hug badly from her best friend.

She had noticed Justin on the other hand had a very angry face, probably confused at why she had refused his calls throughout the day.

She attacks him with a hug and breaks down in tears. 

“Justin, he’s gone. Why is life so unfair to me, Justin? He meant a whole lot to me” 

The now angry face had changed to one of confusion and sympathy as he held her tight.

Solemnly, Justin had asked Lily, “Who?”

“Mr Holland, he’s dead”. Lily had kept her response short. He had understood everything the moment she mentioned his name. He knew how important he was to her. Confused at how to console her as they were still at the doorstep, he had taken the keys from her hands gently lifting her into her room as he opened the door.

She was his best friend and he needed to be there for her. Justin had continued to console Lily, she felt a little better and had asked him to go home as he was still preparing for graduation which was in two days.

                                ***

The past two days have been a war for Lily. She felt so lost but she knew she had to push through. She had constantly called to check up on her Mama and today she was sure that she would see her to get more information about the burial. 

Lily had developed the courage to feel good about her graduation, her results had come out pretty great and she was sure Mr. Holland would want her to be happy she achieved that. It’s just sad that he didn't witness this with her.

Justin had interrupted her thoughts after showing her his grad fits, telling her to dress well as the best-graduating student title might not fly past her.

It was finally a few minutes to go, dressed in a simple black dress, with her grad gown on, she had gotten an Uber to take her to the hall. 

Everyone was out, Mama was going to be late so she wasn’t constantly looking out for anyone. Her brother, Philip, was coming with Mama too.

Entering the hall, everywhere felt surreal, they had handed the file over to her as her name was called. Best graduating student in business administration, and she couldn’t believe it. She smiled for the first time in two days. Her papa and Mr Holland must be proud.

Her Mama must have arrived to see the moment as she blew her phone up with texts. It was finally over and time to meet with the family. Lily had sighted her Mama and brother, at the restaurant where they had agreed to meet. What was shocking was seeing Damson, Mr Holland’s son. What was he doing here? She screams internally.

“ Hello sir”, she greeted, unsure of how to call him. She knew he was five years older than she was so she was right to refer to him as sir anyway. A brief thank you for coming, she had pulled her Mama to the side to know why he was there.

“ Mama, what is Mr.Holland’s son doing here?” Lily asked her mother.

“Oh, was that why you pulled me here? I had mentioned I was going to your graduation to him while he came to visit the house, he saw me break down and decided to bring me here”, Molly had replied

“Mama, are you sure you didn’t ask him?” Lily had asked knowing fully well what her mother was capable of.

“Lily, what do you mean? He’s here already, you can't send him back, at least he’s here to represent Mr.Holland and he volunteered okay?” 

Molly had replied with a Don’t ask me any more questions so Lily had put them on hold.

They had all gone back and taken pictures, Damson had said his goodbyes to her and everyone with an unreadable expression on his face. At least he could have said, good job well done, he just said bye and left. Why did she care? 

Drawing her attention back to the current state, she had to remind herself it didn’t matter since he was still mourning his father and was busy.

Justin had joined them later on and they had ended the day at a restaurant celebrating the graduation with family.

Lily, pretty exhausted, had flung her heels with a tired look from the entire day. Mama and her brother had gone home and she couldn’t help but think of what was left for her. Job? Her worries seemed to increase so she laid down in bed as she drifted off to sleep.

                                ***

One week after graduation Lily had just been there for Lily. She had continually submitted her applications with no positive responses yet or the application is being reviewed text she had received for one. On the other hand, she had continually checked in on her mother regarding Mr.Holland's burial which was in two days. She never saw this coming.

Her mother had mentioned yesterday during the call, 

“ I have nothing to do. Damson hired organizers for his father’s burial. He requested I just take care of myself and ensure the house was safe and stayed clear of his mother. That woman had issues with her attitude the last time she was here. I pity the poor boy”, her Mama had said on the call.

Must be hard for him, Lily had thought after the call ended. 

The day went pretty fast. Laying down, she placed her phone on the drawer next to her, she couldn’t help but weep at the end of the day knowing that Mr. Holland was gone as she stared at the ceilings. Veering around the bedside, she stares at the gift bag that she had wanted to drop by his bedside at the hospital. 

Taking a deep breath, Lily shifts her focus back to the ceilings until her thoughts are interrupted again. This time it was a sound from her phone.

She gets a notification, and a surprise look pops up on Lily's face.