Page 53 - Reason To Sing by Kelita Haverland

Chapter Eight

The Red Roses

The long car ride has been unbearably stifling. My eyes are
puffy and they burn. And my head feels tight like a spinning
top that’s been wound around and around, ready to be released.
I know it’s from the crying. And the tension. Tension that
won’t stop, not even to sleep. Mommy’s perfume isn’t helping
any. I wish she wasn’t wearing so much.
It seems like the cemetery is a thousand miles away! I hope
we get there soon. I need to get out of this car.
I finally see the sign - Mountain View Cemetery. I don’t
see any mountains today and the sun remains hidden behind
a haze of grey clouds. It’s a dull and dreary day. Perfect for the
occasion. At least the October air is fresh and crisp.
I step out of the silver limo onto a road covered in tiny
dark red stones. My new shoes hurt my feet. But I must smile
through all my pain and greet the many people who have
traveled all this way just for Daddy. He must have been very
well-liked.
As if mandatory, people start lighting up cigarettes. I think
of Daddy and his horrible habit - Black Cat Number 7s were
always in his shirt pocket.
I blankly watch everyone smoke as we walk toward the
gravesite. Vian and I are holding Mommy’s hands. Most people
won’t look at her, but Mommy keeps a prim smile firmly in
place.
I know my Grandma and Grandpa are both buried close
by, so I guess this is the natural place for Daddy to be now.

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