When Two Hearts Collide (COMPLETED ✔️)

19. 🌸

 The next morning, after Stacey was buried, Raymond went for a run around the cemetery. He jogged about half a mile to her grave, where it was in-scripted 

     STACEY O'NEILL

    2003-2020 

FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS, ALWAYS OUR INSPIRATION

 She lived to be seventeen years old. Playing A Walk to Remember's playlist on his IPOD, Raymond stood in front of the grave for a minute, then sighed. 

     "Rest easy, Stacey.'' Raymond said, quietly ,folding his hands together.

   Stacey's grave was near the seaside ,so he could see villas and houses all around Trinity and the sight of the bay was beautiful. Seagulls flew above the cemetery towards the beach.

  "My next mission next year is to get into medical school." Raymond said, so that he could heal those who were less fortunate. 

   "I'll see you later, my dear." He whispered, running off. 

  ---------------------------------------

 Raymond took some carnations to Stacey's grave that evening, with Clara and Addison by his side. 

  "I'm literally beat. Want to get a hamburger?'' Clara said, turning towards McDonalds across the street.

  "Yeah, sure, let's go..." Addison said, smiling at Clara. She wanted everyone to know that they were fine. Stacey was resting and no longer suffering. Asthma had taken her life ,however not the soul that inhabited the body. She was in heaven. With God. Raymond looked up at the sky and blew a kiss in the wind. He knew Stacey was watching them...

   "Come on ,Raymond. Let's go before McDonald's closes." Addison said, laying down the carnations on the grave.

 "It looks like rain ,too.'' Clara said ,looking up at the sky.

   "Let's go, NOW! Come on, Raymond! Before the monsoon starts!" Clara and Addison both ran for it, as Raymond caught up. 

"It was a lovely service. Stacey was just the sweetest girl." Raymond added, once inside McDonalds. 

"I know, Ray, I'm so sorry." Addison added. "Don't worry, she's in a better place now. Stacey would want you to be happy." Clara said, in line. 

 "Tell you what. We'll buy dinner for you today." Addison stated.  "Just this once, guys." Raymond said. "Thanks. Double cheeseburger with the works. Thanks again." Raymond said, roaming the room to find a seat.

      "Okay, let's go, come on." Clara said, grabbing the tray of food and walking towards the table. Addison grabbed some napkins and they all ate their hamburgers with extra fries and onion rings...

   "Stacey would love to spend time with you,Ray." Clara said, biting into her hamburger. 

   "It's  not the same ,Clara. She's dead and I've got  nobody to date now, other than Brenda who's been texting and calling and emailing nonstop." Raymond explained, annoyed. 

 "Yeah, when will that witch get it?'' Addison said. 

 "I don't know, however it's a good question." Raymond  replied.

 "Don't worry, that's none of my business." Clara added. 

   "No, it's okay." Raymond started to say.

  "Stacey and I were going to the end of the year dance together. Now we can't." Raymond started to mention, checking his watch.

   "It's a quarter to nine. I've got to get home and get ready to go to France. My family is taking me on a trip this week." Raymond said.  "It's the middle of July and I've been needing this trip for so long. The Eiffel Tower, The Seine,  The Arc De Triomphe, and maybe even go to Italy. The Coliseum, The Spanish Steps, Rome, Venice. I'll get to ride in a gondola. I've always wanted to photograph the views of Italy's cathedrals and The Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris." Raymond went on. 

   "You'll have fun." Clara stated, as she finished her onion rings. "And don't forget to meet some pretty Paris girls and bring them here to meet us." Addison joked.  

    "Woah, hold your horses... I'm not dating anybody, ever, for a long long time." Raymond said, holding up his hands. 

   "Stacey just died, Addison." Raymond reminded her.

 "I know, Raymond, that was a heartless thing to say." Addison agreed.

"It's fine." Raymond said. "I've gotta go."

 The girls and Raymond finished and left... into the dark, dark, cold night with rain crashing down and little light in the form of streetlights down the road, only lit like small lanterns...