Through The Ash

- PROLOGUE-

The end was rough.

My Grandmother was once a vibrant woman. She was high spirited and found excitement in even the most mundane of things. Now, she was a shadow of her previous self.

On good days, she'd call me by my mother's name and tell me how much I looked like Beo. It made my heart ache that all that seemed to stick were the Norse sagas and a warrior named Beoden.

"It's Iris Grandma, do you remember me?"

I furrowed my brows in frustration. I already knew the answer, but I tried anyway.

She rolled her eyes at me and sighed.

"You always loved those silly flowers."

Her voice seemed to fade away into the silent void between us.

"Grandma?"

She stared off into nothing and babbled. Most things were inaudible. All the while clutching the upside down T on her necklace, she never took it off and it always seemed to be a source of comfort for her.

I sighed and wiped the palms of my hands against my jeans, it was always humid here.

"Grandma, I'm gonna go. I have work in an hour." I held her fingers clasped between mine.

She looked up at me and for a moment, I thought she was coming around.

"Linda, can we take a walk in the park? You know, the one with all the flowers you like?"

I rubbed my hand softly over the side of her face as I pressed my lips against her cheek.

"I love you Grandma. Try to have a good day."

I got up and began putting on my coat.

"I love you babydoll. Come again soon okay?"

It tugged at my heart strings, I wish I would've known this would be our last conversation.

"I'll be here again tomorrow." I smiled and perked up the flowers on her night stand before stepping out.

That night, we got a call from the hospital. Grandma had passed peacefully in her sleep.

The summer never felt so cold.

My birthday was right around the corner and it wasn't something I really felt up to.

I was turning twenty-seven, so I had the luxury of not celebrating, I wasn't a kid anymore.

The phone vibrated against the surface of my night stand, I knew it was Cole checking on me. He was sweet but he had the habit of being a bit smothering. He worried more than I did, about everything.

The vibrating ended and I rolled over on my side, staring up at the picture of my Grams on my nightstand. I'd known for a while she was declining, it was inevitable, but that didn't make it hurt any less.

I wanted to languish in my misery in peace.

The phone began to vibrate again and it was starting to piss me off. I turned the face of the phone to me, again, Cole.

I slid my finger across the screen and brought it to my ear.

"Babe! How're you? I've been worried." Cole's voice rang over the line before I could say anything.

I internally groaned, I wasn't ready for his exuberance.

"Hey, I'm good." I sighed into the speaker.

"Get dressed we're going to Kiki's pool. Come with us?"

I could hear the suspense in his voice he wanted me to say yes.