Exceptions

2. Make her proud

Two weeks later

Odell held Alexis' gold plated 13 chain that she always wore around her neck. He had gotten it for her as a twentieth birthday gift. She placed it in his hand right as she took her final breath two days after their last conversation.

His eyes laid unmoved on the casket as it slid down slowly 6 feet into the earth with the love of his life lifeless inside the navy blue casket, her favorite color. It seemed odd to him that it was her favorite since she never wrote it. But every time he asked Alexis why she'd say: "I appreciate the color more when I see." He thought it was silly then but now every time he sees the color he can't seem to help but think of her.

"Hey baby, we'll be in the car waiting." His mother said passing brushing his shoulder as she walked by him with his father hooked on her arm. She looked at her son and which should take the pain away, her heart ached for her son and there was only so much she could do. As a mother you want to fix whatever it is that could make your child feel better, but there was nothing she could do to fix his broken heart.

Odell hardly heard a word his mother said. All he wanted to do was put himself in that casket with Alexis so he could be with her forever. The sun peaked through the dark clouds and a soft wind blew past him. Somehow he felt like she was right there with him, running her fingers through his hair. That was one of the things he was going to miss the most. Alexis had a way of relaxing him when she did that, it brought him peace of mine when things were tough. Losing her had to be the toughtest thing that's ever happened to him and where was she to run her fingers through his hair? And tell him everything was going to be alright?

He rubbed his thumb over the small 13 charm as the chain looped over his fingers. He felt his heart grow heavier and heavier as the realization that Alexis was gone hit him.

"You know I thought I would be about to throw myself down there with her on this day." Alexis' mom Janice said coming over and sitting next to him.

"I don't see how you wouldn't." He finally took his eyes off the grave to look at her.

Being with Alexis for so long he'd grown a strong relationship with her mom. He was glad Janise had grown like a second mother to him so he had someone he could lean on who understood what he was going through. His own mother offered her own shoulder to him, but since she had never experienced losing some to cancer all she could do was be sympathetic to his situation. Having Janise be there for him made the start of the grieving process easier. Janise new this day was coming soon and she was able to lay Alexis to rest with a mindset that her daughter wasn't suffering anymore. After coming to terms with that, it made it much easier to help Odell through the death of someone they both loved. 

"After my husband, her father, died from lung cancer and they told me that it was likely that my daughter could have it one day... I don't know why but I mentally prepared myself for this moment a long time ago. She wasn't supposed to make it to eighteen but my baby was a fighter."

Odell dabbed at his eyes since his face was raw from wiping it so much. "She told me to move on but I-I don't know if I can." He said looking down at the necklace again.

"Her father told me the same thing when he passed away back in '07. I didn't thing I could move on either but I met Henry two years ago. I was wrong, I was able to move on after I realized Malcolm wouldn't want me to live the rest of my life still grieving over him... Because if the roles were reversed I wouldn't want that for him. It took me a while to fully take in that my husband was gone but I was able to get through that obstacle in my life. I'll always love him but I have to keep living my life and move forward." Janise looked at her fiancée who was thanking a few people for coming to the burial.  "Moving on may be difficult but you do as Alexis says... She told me to finish going to all the places she wanted to go, finish all the things she hadn't done on her bucket list, and that's what I'm going to do. So if she told you to move on you do it. Don't let her death hold you back. I know you'll be amazing at whatever you do Odell. Don't stop yourself from sucess because you're stuck in the grieving process. Be strong for her- and Yourself... Make her proud." Janice stood to her feet and tossed a few red roses down on top of Alexis' casket.

"You keep in touch with me sweety. Remember what I said." She kissed his forehead then started up the path towards her fiance. She looked back at her daughters grave that laid right next to her first love as she walked away.

Odell stood up and put the necklace around his neck and started walking backwards away from the girl who stole his heart. "I'll do as you said Alexis. I promise." He turned and headed to his parents car.

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