Heavenly Sky

I didn't cry at her funeral. The ride to her grave was loud with heartbreak, but my heart wasn't breaking. My heart was gone. She was gone. Nobody was going to save me now.

I could feel my cousin's penetrating stare. I couldn't blame her. I should be crying. I should be praying. I should be screaming, "Why!" I was silent, listening to the prayers being read. Her stare were daggers to my back, and I begged for them to cut me apart. Maybe then, I would feel something, anything. Nothing.

The service was short. My family parted like the Red Sea. She held us together. Now, only rare occasion would return us to one place. We did not forgive easily. We did not forget.

I waited for my mother. I sat on a cold, stone bench. I stared at the ground, trying to block out the view of that hole. Her coffin was partly buried by dirt, but I did not take the shovel. I would not throw dirt on her. I loved her, but did they even care?

I looked up toward the sky. It was brilliant blue like an ocean, and the sweet sound of its waves carried me away. I chased the ghost of my heart to sandy, white shores and found myself walking in water. Then, I heard her call my name.

My life was war, but here, I found serenity. My heart breathed again. I could feel. I felt her, and she hugged me one last time. A tear raced down my cheek, and I knew what she was asking. I had to let her go, and I did. I could feel the ocean, that deep, blue sky drift away, but I remained alive. She saved me one last time.