Heart Like Stone (Greyson Chance)

Chapter 99

March 29, 2016



Jake and I stood outside the gate to the cemetery where my parents were buried. Slowly, we walked inside. I had his hand in one of mine, and in the other I carried some flowers. This was the first time I’ve been here since their funeral. Back then, I didn’t completely understand what was going on. Which is a good thing I guess. It wasn’t until a few days after that I realized they really weren’t coming back.  
    Jake had been a few times before, so he knew where to go. We walked in silence for awhile until he suddenly stopped. He nodded to two headstones set side by side near a tall tree.

    “They’re there.” He said quietly.

    I slowly walked over to where they were. I kneeled down in front of them and lifted my hand, lightly brushing away the thin layer of dirt away from the writing. I looked over to the one on the left. 


    In loving memory of..
       

          Evan Price.
   

    A Father, Son, Husband, and Friend.

        1968 - 2001

    
    His true wealth was in his generous heart.
  

       What lies behind him, 
   

     and what lies before him,


     are tiny matters compared to what lied within him.


        See You Soon. 



I took a deep breath. Tracing the words over with my finger. Slowly, I turned to the one on the right.

    Gone, but never forgotten..

        Lilly Price.


    A Mother, Daughter, Sister, Wife, and Friend.

        1969 - 2001



   She did more than exist, she lived.

    She did more than listen, she understood.


    To know her was to love her.

     Rest peacefully, dear.



There were three words to the bottom right of my dad’s grave. “True Love Stories..” It read. At the bottom left of mom’s, it said “..Never Have Endings.” 


    I felt my throat tighten. Tears blurred my vision. I carefully laid the flowers before each of the stones. I sat between them for awhile, letting the tears slowly flow down my cheeks. The pain in my chest was like nothing I’ve ever felt before. The only thing that came close was all those nights when I laid beside the lifeless Greyson. When I thought he’d never be mine again.

    “I miss you.” I whispered, placing a hand on each stone. “I never got to say goodbye. I never got to tell you I loved you before you left...”

    I felt a hand gently placed on my shoulder. I turned around to see my brother - almost in tears himself - give me a small smile.

    “It’s ok.” He started, “They know.”

    I started crying harder as he pulled me in for a hug.

    “They know.” He repeated.



April 21, 2016

    I sat on the edge of the building, hugging my knees slightly. I looked down at all the city lights. It was beautiful down there. I tugged at the sleeves to my blue sweater, wrapping it closer around me. Greyson was leaning against the wall watching me. I just sat there. So much was going on inside my head. I got overwhelmed. I’m getting married in two days. Lisa took Jeydon for the night, giving me and Greyson one last night alone. Tomorrow night he’s sleeping at Cody’s while I go to Natalie’s. Not his idea of course. It was mine, actually. I like doing things the traditional way. When he leaves here tomorrow he wont see me again until I’m walking down that isle.