Chapter 21. Lauren
Only a few days have passed since the day that the world learnt about our discovery. My phone has been bombarded with messages from people I can't remember, and the landline at home rings so often, I barely notice when my legs automatically carry me to the phone, just to hear more congratulations. Having Rose back is the best feeling in the world. Having Rose back gave a forgotten spark reason to ignite. A spark of family and love that cannot be measured. Seeing her smile makes my day change from a glum one, to one that makes me feel like I have just reached the moon. Knowing that she's alive, and safe and home... it gives me reason to thank whichever God I had originally thought had cursed our family.
Rose now walks alongside me through a small sea of grey, rounded stone. Hundreds of names and stories lie entangled beneath the soil we cross. My hand reaches out to Rose's as my feet can't bear the sudden heaviness in my body. After a time that seems both to take forever, and that passes in a fleeting moment, we finally reach three headstones that lie side by side. On the left,
"Cameron Jake Heartly
27.11.1979 - 23.5.2025
A loving father to Rose, Lauren and Benji
A loyal and loving husband to Abigail Heartly
A caring son to Hannah and Chris
He will continue to live on in the hearts of many, as a kind and amazing man."
It is carved in a deep bold strikes against the soft grey stone. In the middle of the two larger stones is Ben, where the stone reads,
"Benji Isaac Heartly
15.3.2016 - 23.5.2025
A loved and loving brother, son and grandson.
Benji will always be remembered with his loveable personality, and he will be sorely missed."
My heart pulses with an overwhelming strain of emotion and my vision blurs with beads of salted water. Rose grips my hand until all the blood drains from it. Finally I drag my eyes to the final stone.
"Abigail Frances Heartly
21.9.1980 - 23.5.2025
A loving and caring mother to Rose, Lauren and Benji
A loyal and loving wife to Cameron Heartly
A loved daughter of Karen and Jonathan
She will be remembered every day as a kind and inspirational woman."
'I'm so sorry you had to go through the funeral alone, Lauren,' Rose whispers in a trembling voice.
'It's okay...' I reply after a moment. 'I mean... obviously it wasn't okay, but I'm okay now that you are with me. And we can face this together. I'm not alone anymore.'
My sentences break apart, randomly spitting out of my wobbling chin.
'I should've been with you... I know I went through some rough times...' Rose pauses with a dark shudder. 'But you had to face people, talk to them after suffering so much grief... and you lost a lot of your memory which made life even worse.'
I stop Rose in her unnecessary explanation. 'Rose, we both went through hell in our own way. All because of one man. But what matters most is that we are here. Together. And we can be for a long time.'
Rose finally stops sniffling and leans her weight against my side, wrapping a protective arm around my waist. 'You know, it's seems like you've become more like the older sister now,' she smiles at me.
'No!' I cry with a giggle. 'Don't put that much responsibility on me, Rose!'
She giggles in my shoulder, sending warm vibrations shooting through my body. This is what I missed in all the months without my big sister. All the small moments that randomly remain in the "best memories" section of my mind. Small giggles, small smiles, for small reasons. But thanks to finding Rose again, I've realised that the small moments in life make the best memories. Ones that I will carry with me forever.
'Hey, Rin,' Rose begins after a few moments. 'I really need to thank Scarlett and the Shirelands for looking after you all this time. It was supposed to be my job, as your big sister.'
Rose places her glasses on the grass beneath our legs, tears clouding the crystal clear frame. 'I feel so guilty. I know it will pass one day and I am so glad I have you, but all those months separated from you... it was so hard not knowing what had happened. But I'm so relieved you were well looked after! And by the Shirelands of all people! I'm very happy Liam took good care of you as well,' Rose continues with a cheeky smile. 'You two are perfect together.'
'Yeah, I thought I was lucky to have him, but I'm even more lucky to have you back,' I reply. I lean against her once again, completing the circle of our family.
YOU ARE READING
Broken Memories
Teen Fiction"How can I sleep when the darkness only makes the silence emptier? When the emptiness only reminds me of what I have lost? When the loss I am suffering makes it impossible to breathe?" For Lauren Heartly to survive the crash at all was a miracle on...
