What's in a Face??

Prologue

"Tami, Tami, can you hear me?" I hear this voice calling me, but I am unsure where it comes from. My eyes won't open, and my head and body feel heavy. And I cannot move anything. But the low, soft voice...I know that voice...I can't remember who it is. Who is that?

"I know you can hear me. Remember this: I did this to teach you a lesson. He was mine, always mine. And now he will never want you." Says this soft, evil voice that I should know. "Why did you have to say 'Yes'? I would have left you alone if you kept your mouth shut and left him. But now you will live to see what happens when you take what is not yours! They will all think you are dead, and no one will come looking for you! Because you won't be you anymore."

And the voice is gone.

I drift off into the darkness.

Chapter 1

The funeral viewing for Tami Manning was a large one. It had been 1.5 months since that fatal night. The investigation is still underway, but there are no actual leads. Her father, William Manning, had his sis-in-law Sally and youngest daughter help with the planning.

Jon Stevens was not ready for this day; he tried to delay, but Mr. Manning said it was time to place Tami to rest. Tears coming to Jon's blue eyes, he brushes away with his free hand since Lynn was holding the other.

We should be celebrating our engagement, Jon was thinking. Looking at Lynn, Tami's little sister, attached to his arm, Jon wanted to pull his arm away, but Lynn was holding tight. I can do this, and then I will leave for a while; Jon continues his thoughts while heading forward.

Lynn grabbed Jon's arm as soon as possible when heading to the grave site. She wanted to be seen arm in arm with Jon - this is how it's supposed to be, thinking to herself. And will be in the future, she continues her thoughts. I was at my sister's funeral, and I hated her. Now, to make it thru this day, no one will look for or care to look at her.

Jon didn't like that others were whispering about him and Lynn since Jon was Tami's boyfriend and would have been her fiancée. She had said yes that night. They were going to be together forever, he thought. How am I going to move on without her? Jon is thinking about Tami.

Since this was the Manning and Stevens families and both were wealthy-no, one would say anything out loud, but it looks like they would do now, but there would be talk later. About the way Lynn was holding on to Jon so tightly.

The pair walked to the grave site for Tami. But Lynn had just lost her sister, so he let her lean on him for now.

Lynn thought this was the second step in returning what was supposed to be mine. Tami rots in that hospital; no one will find you or care, as Lynn loves Jon more than anyone.

While Jon only thinks about Tami, 'You said yes; what happened? How am I going to live daily without you by my side.'

Jon tried to move a little away, but Lynn leaned in and cried a little harder now they were at the grave site. Jon wrapped his arm around Lynn, and she continued to cry but grinning softly. Mine all mine, Lynns thinks.

Tami and Lynn's father- William Manning, stood at the top of Tami's grave site; the look on his face was someone who did not want to be approached as he watched Tami's casket be lowered into the ground.

He could not believe his oldest was buried today next to her mother, his daughter, who was only 29. That apartment fire was so awful, and Lynn had to find her sister burning in the fire. But so much is unknown, except Tami is gone.

He was watching his youngest daughter latch on to Jon. Not liking the looks Lynn was giving Jon, and as others whispered at the two of them arm in arm, William frowned.

But his wife-sister Sally said they were expected to lean on each other. William looked at Jon's face and didn't see a longing look; he saw the same sadness he felt. Jon looked up and nodded to William. William could see the sadness on Jon's face.

William would have to talk with his daughter Lynn about leaving Jon alone. William had had problems with Lynn since age eight when Sally asked to have her for the summer.

Tami was 13 and went to summer camp. Shaking his head, he always knew that Sally hated his wife, but William loved his wife to this day and always.

Still, this was a hard day for them, and today was not the day to confront his daughter.

It looked like a party, not a funeral earlier. Still, at the grave site, it was clear of all the decorations, just people, Tami's casket in the center, with flowers.

As the service closed at the grave site, all were expected to return to the Mannings house for the reception. Jon was not feeling up to meeting and talking with others.

After walking Sally and Lynn to a black SUV waiting for them, Jon dislodged himself from Lynn's hold and placed her in the car with her aunt.

But Jon did not get in. Lynn gave him a look. "Jon, you are coming with us?" Lynn said with a slight frown.

"Be back soon; your dad is still over there," Jon stated. "You know what, go on without me. Meet you at the house."

The door was closed, and Jon rapped on the SUV for the driver to take off, turned, and started to walk back toward Mr. Manning. He was not giving Lynn a chance to say or do anything.

Lynn sat confused, then turned towards her aunt and, with a winey voice, "Why is Tami still getting the attention even in death?!" to her Aunt Sally, who has been like her mother since she was old enough to realize her mother was dead. Aunt Sally always stood up for Lynn's wants and needs. "Tami this, Tami that. Well, it's my turn." Lynn wined.

Sally frowned when she looked at her niece, "Just give it a day or so. I promise you, since you want him, he will be yours." Sally always hated Tami. She looked like her dead sister, their mother.

Sally thought William was supposed to be hers, and my sister took what was mine. I can at least make Lynn's dreams come true. And now that Tami was gone, Lynn listened more to Sally than William. After all these years, Sally still never understood why William would not come to or want her. Well, he is now paying for not wanting her.