Lucky Girl

Funeral

Jackie's POV
Something most people don't know about me is I've been to a lot of cemeteries. There was one summer, where my grandma took me and my cousins on a big road trip. On that trip we visited a lot of historical places and a lot of cemeteries. She was doing research on our family tree and was searching for our last name in every cemetery possible it seemed. I hate cemeteries.

I've also been to a lot of funerals. After that trip I lost five people over the course of three years. Now I've lost my parents.

Mom and Momma Karlie are sitting at my sides in a black escalade. Seems fitting. I am wearing a black jumpsuit and Christian Leboutin black heels. Mom did my hair and Karlie did my make-up.

I haven't really been functioning.

The two hold my hands, directing me to the dreaded synagogue. Of course people surrounded us, but not for the usual reason. They were there to 'comfort' me. Little did they know they would be unsuccessful. I fall into my great-grandmother's arms. I have always been closest to her.

"It'll be ok." She whispers into my ear. She rubs my back for a little and then leads me into the synagogue. I would sit in the front of the room. Taylor and Karlie come sit behind me. I lean into my grandma.

The service begins. The rabbi says some prayers and we have to get up and sit down many times. The whole time all I can do is look at everyone through the reflection of the grand piano. The only grand thing in the small temple. My father was a pianist. He was a professor at USC. I had to call Steinway to bring the piano here. They brought it here free in honor of him.

I finally bring my eyes to the two caskets in the front. They are simple. A white wood. My best friend and partner in crime are in those two. They were the ones who kept me dreaming. The ones who protected me from the worst. No matter what they were always there. They were a constant, but now they're gone.

I am supposed to sing now. I get up and go up to the dreaded podium. They requested in their will that I sing at their funeral. They actually requested a song. I didn't tell Taylor this though. I walk up and my uncle hands me my guitar. I adjust the microphone and begin the first chords of The Best Day.

I'm five years old its getting cold

I've got my big coat on

I hear your laugh and look up smiling at you

I run and run

Past the pumpkin patch and tractor rides

And now the sky is gold...

I continue the song strong. I look to Mom for support. She gives me a small smile and a small nod. That was all I needed. I changed all the haves to had which made some people flinch at the sadness.

I finished the song and went to the piano. They had two more songs they requested.

I began Little Did You Know by Alex and Sierra. This song is hard but not impossible.

I finished and began the final song. See You Again. I didn't think I could make it through this one.

I sing the words as strong as possible. The piano parts my dad taught me just months before he passed.

The worst part is they've started playing a slideshow of our family. I need to close my eyes.

I can't take it any longer. I finish and there is silence. Funerals always applaud in silence. I leave the piano and move towards my seat in tears. Suddenly I feel Moms arms around me. She takes me to the front bench and sits me next to my great-grandma again, but this time she joins us. I can feel people staring at the back of our heads, but all I can do is look forward as they conclude the service.

Now they are going to bury them. My parents bought a plot here, at Mt. Sinai Cemetery. It is a Jewish cemetery. I am Jewish. I haven't really talked to Mom about it though. Obviously she's not.

As we walk up the path to the infamous plot a herd of deer are grazing near by. It is so beautiful to me. At a place of death, the most beautiful life can occur.

After the caskets were placed in the ground I colapsed into Taylor's arms. All my emotions broke. She just held me tight and whispered soft words into my ear. I stood with her, my head fitting perfectly in her chest, until the last rock was placed. Never to be undone.