Blue Hearts

Chapter 10

Today was the day of Audrey's funeral.

Chandler & his family's funeral was a few days ago. I went, but I didn't talk to anyone. I was too upset. I have a feeling that's how today is gonna go.

I got dressed in to a black lace dress. Audrey always said how it looked great on me, but I hated dresses. I refused to wear them unless it was something important. In this case, it was.

I dragged myself outside and hopped in to my truck. I was about to drive off as I remembered something. I quickly ran back inside and went upstairs to my dresser. Sitting there was a silver heart locket that Audrey gave me as a birthday present in the fifth grade. On the left side was a picture of me and her when we were about 8. On the right side was a picture I put in of us yesterday. It was the last selfie we ever took together. I'm miss her constant need of taking selfies.

I put on the locket and ran back down stairs. Opening the door yet again, and sliding into the seat of my truck. I have been dreading this day for a week now. It just doesn't seem right. Audrey being gone - it hasn't sunken in yet.

I pull up to the funeral home and walk in. Ms. Gates hugs me with a tear stained face. I sit down as they begin the service.

"We are gathered here today to celebrate the life of Audrey Gates. Not only was she an amazing daughter, but a great person, girlfriend, and best friend." The tears start falling quickly. I'm pretty sure I look a mess before long. There are pictures of Audrey everywhere; school pictures, pictures of her and Chandler, pictures of me and her...

The service continued on. When it finished, we all went outside. Everyone got to have a word with her alone, if they wanted.

I walked up to it slowly as the tears started pouring out.

"Oh Audrey," I begin. "There are so many things I wish I would've told ya before you left. I wish ya never left. I wish I would've driven ya to the airport." I pause, thinking. Stop, you can't go back in time and change things.

"Well, Aud. I miss you a lot. I really do. I remember when we met back in first grade," I continue talking about all the memories we had together - from setting her microwave on fire, to exploding lipstick all over her brand new bedspread.

"These past few days I've been wanting to talk to you, just to say hey ya know, like we used to, but then I realize you ain't there anymore. I can't just say hey." Mascara is still running down my face as I speak. "But Aud, I'll always be down here if ya want to say hey. Please watch over me. Okay? I'll talk to ya every night Audrey. You'll always be with me, even if you're not here. Ya always are." I sniffle before standing up.

"Goodbye, my beautiful best friend."

As I start to walk away, a smile spreads across my face. Weird, I know. But I'm thinking. Thinking about how happy Aud must be right now. She's in a better place, and with Chandler, too. She's probably up there playing Barbies with Elise right now. She always knew how to make people happy.

*3 years later*

I still think about Audrey every day. Not a day passes where I don't miss her face, or her laugh, or her terrible cooking. But I don't get sad anymore. She's happy now. That's all that matters.

Michelle finished college and came back to visit me a few weeks ago. We went to a field near my house and picked strawberries. We found some flowers while we were there, too. As I started picking the ones I thought were the best, Michelle looked at me and laughed.

"What?" I said, confused.

"Remember the night Audrey passed, and you called me sayin, 'Sis, how come the best people die?' and I said 'when you're in a garden which flowers do ya pick?' What did I answer with?" she asks.

"You said the most beautiful ones." I look up at her.

"Ri, which flowers are ya pickin right now?" She looks at me with a smile.

I laugh to myself. "The most beautiful ones."

—

I got a text this morning from a number that said Unknown. It didn't have anything in the message, except a blue heart. I didn't ask who the number was. It might sound crazy, but I think it was Audrey. No - I know it was Audrey. I know that was hers and Chandlers thing, but I was the only one that knew about it besides them. I think it's a sign that Aud is still watching over me.

I really do hope Audrey and Chandler are happy. I miss them, but I just have to keep telling myself they're in a better place, and remember something that Audrey told me after Chandler left to LA.

"If you love something, let it free."

- The End -