Saving Alaska

Chapter 5: Sepulcher

Today's the day, laying my mother to rest six feet down under. The funeral is in 5 hours and here i am laying in her bed with her favorite blue crystal necklace. Spacing out and remembering the good old days watching reruns of Friends every night with a bowl of popcorn. It was good. Simple. A knock from my door brought me back to reality.
"Come in" I mumbled sitting up.
"Hey. You ready?" It was Kyle he was wearing a nice black suit.                                "No" I spoke monotonously while looking outside the bedroom window.           "The funeral is in an hour. you should get ready Rājakumārī."
"Kyle, wait. What does it mean?" I stared at him before he left.
He blinked at me a few times thinking.
"What? Death? I don't know.. I don't thi-."
"No. Rajakumari. You've been calling me that since we were kids. Why?. What does it mean?"  I cut him off. He stood there for awhile a tiny blush crept upon his face. He cleared his voice.
"It.. Well it means uhh. It means princess.." He spoke almost inaudible.
"Pri-Princess?" I questioned to myself.
"Yeah. Well. Hurry up and get ready.. We have to leave soon." He walked out the door closing it with out any other eye contact.

I hurried and got dressed in a black a little above the knee length dress with a lace collar And long sleeves. I slipped on some black pumps and curled my hair pulling half back and keeping it in with a sliver antique clip. I applied a light smokey eye make up and a peach lip color completing the look. I walks down the stairs making my way to a sleeping Kyle in his blue pickup. I cleared my throat, waking him up. He quietly started his truck and he took off to the cemetery. Awkward Silence engulfed us as his band played on the radio. I tapped my fingers to the beat. The ride took about an hour. When we arrived at the burial ground, strangers in black took there seats. Some crying, some whispering and pointing to me, others sending a sympathetic smile. I tightly smiled holding back tears. I repeated my mother's comforting words in my head.  'My little snowflake, always be strong.' Kyle gently held my hand I slightly tensed at the warmth of his hand. His soft eyes settled on me waiting for some reaction. I stared into his emerald eyes and let a small smile form on my lips. My mothers resting place was next my fathers under a large weeping willow with blue roses along the base of the tree. We took the front seats as the ceremony began. As the casket walked came holding my mothers eternal cage. The coffin was a sleek black with crystal blue trimmings and a single snowflake embroidered on the front. The priest spoke his prayers and invited me to speak a few words. I slowly walked to the front and took a deep breath. I faced the crowd some I knew others I didn't.

"I want to thank you all for coming. As many of you know Cynthia was... Is my mother. She was loving, talented, and free spirited-most took her for a hippie, I know my mom would be telling us all to wipe our eyes and death should be celebrated in happiness, not sorrow. She will be dearly missed but she will always be with us, for she resides in our hearts. So this might be farewell, but surely never goodbye." I laid a white Lilly on her casket a single tear rolled down my cheek "I love you" I whispered walking back to my seat. People began to walk and place flowers on her casket in a chorus of Rest in peace, you'll be missed, and other things among those lines. Kyle was the last to walk up and place a large bouquet of red roses mixed with white Lilies.  Mom's favorite mix of flowers..