Broken

Chapter Twenty-Five

I stood in front of the mirror. I looked at my black dress in the mirror. I looked back up at my face. My eyes held a sadness I didn't know if I was ever going to be able to get rid of. I wiped a stray tear away. I didn't know how it was possible for any tears to be left. I took a deep breath. I could do this. I had to do this.

I walked out of the bathroom. Justin was standing in the living room waiting for me. He was wearing his black jacket over a black button up shirt and his black tie. He had not left me alone since I called him. His mom had dropped his clothes by. He walked over to me and pulled me into a hug. I was not going to cry again. I had already done that enough.

"It's going to be okay," he said. He looked down at me. "I will be with you the whole time, I promise."

I nodded my head, "Thank you."

He put his arm around my shoulder and we walked out of my house. He opened his car door for me and I got in. I pulled my seat belt on and adjusted my gaze to the window. Justin got in and we were driving. My emotions were already getting the best of me and I felt tears welling up in my eyes as we approached our destination. I suddenly felt Justin's hand take mine. I looked over at him. He was driving with one hand, keeping his eyes on the road.

"I'm here," he said.

"I know," I said. I held his hand in both of mine. We pulled into the parking lot and both got out. Justin was at my side in a heartbeat. He had his hand on my back. I looked up at him. "Thank you."

He tried to smile. I looked away, understanding why he couldn't. We walked inside, and I felt the dread fall on me. There were already several people there. Justin and I walked towards the front. I bit my lip as I saw the casket at the front of the room. There were flowers surrounding it. I felt Justin pull me into his side. I had already seen it, but it felt more real every time.

She looked as though she always did. She looked the same as that last card game we played on Saturday before I went to the party. She looked peaceful. She looked just like my grandma. A small smile crept on to my face. That was my grandma. I felt a gut feeling that she was happy. I looked up to Justin to see him looking at her too. It had been hard on him too. The amount of time he spent at our house, she was like his grandma too.

"Hayley."

I turned and saw my father in front of me. He was dressed similarly to Justin. He had a tall, brunette on his arm. She was wearing a long, black dress. This must be his fiancé, Erica. She was pretty. My father pulled me into a hug.

"I'm sorry I couldn't be here earlier," he said.

"Its okay," I said with a nod.

"This is Erica," he said as he put his hand around the brunette's face.

"Hi, Hayley," she said. "I'm sorry this is the first time we meet."

"It's okay," I said. I looked over at Justin. He was standing behind me now.

"I'm Justin Lathrop," he said. "I'm Hayley's friend."

"Nice to meet you," said Erica.

We all sat down in the front row. I sat between Justin and my father. We sat there for a while before the service started. Soon, my father was getting up to speak. He walked to the front of the room.

"Hi, I'm Rodger Allen," he started. "I'm Lizzie Allen's son. She was the most amazing mother a boy could ask for. I wish that I was around more than I was, but the last week I was able to spend with her...she made me feel as if she always did. She is the reason for all the success in my life and I will always be indebt to her...not just because she took care of me, but because she took care of my daughter as well."

He smiled down at his paper, "My mom was such a great person and I hope we all never forget her."

I felt my heartbeat pick up as he moved to sit back down. That was my cue to go up there. I did not write anything down. I could not bring myself to do it. I stood up. I walked to the front of the room. I took a deep breath and looked at the room around me. Dad was sitting down. I looked at Justin. He gave me a small nod.

"My grandma has taken care of me my entire life," I began. "She raised me and cared for me since I was little. I am thankful I got the chance to be raised by her though. The last time I was with my grandma, she was so happy. And I know that right now she's happy and she's here with us. She's watching us with Grandpa at her side. She's happy and she's with God. I know that we will all see her again someday and by then I know I will have to admit to her that she's been right about everything she's told me in life." I looked up. "I love you, Grandma."

I broke at that point and my tears were back. I slipped back into my seat next to Justin and Dad. Justin pulled a tissue out of his jacket and handed it to me. I mouthed thank you to him and wiped my eyes. The service continued and I felt good in a way. I felt like she truly was watching over us already.

It wasn't before long that we were at the cemetery. We stood around the grave site as she was buried. Dad and Justin were paw bearers. I stood with Erica while they did their job. They soon both joined us again. I looked over at Grandpa's headstone. I imagined him smiling and hugging Grandma. They were together again. I looked over at Justin and leaned into his shoulder. He put and arm around me.

Soon, we were all walking back to our cars. We parked near Dad and Erica. They had promised to follow us back to my house. We were almost at the cars when I felt a raindrop on my nose. I looked over at Justin as the rain started to come down steadily. Dad and Erica were hurrying to their car, but we just stood there in the rain looking at each other.

Justin grinned, "She loved the rain."

I nodded and hugged him. I looked up at the sky. Justin took my hand and led me to the car. We both got in and drove home in the rain. Dad and Erica were already at the house by the time we got there. I hurried up the steps and unlocked the door. We all went inside and ended up sitting around the small living room.

"This is a cute little house," Erica admired.

"Thanks," Dad and I said at the same time.

"You two are so much alike," Erica noted. She looked over at Dad who was sitting next to her. He smiled back at her.

"We've been talking," said Dad. He looked over at me. "We thought it would be a good idea if you came back to New York with us. We could spend some time together and we could get through this together." I could see he held the same sadness in his eyes as I had.

I nodded and looked over at Justin. I could not read his expression. He met my gaze and offered me a small smile. I looked back at my dad. "I have school though..."

"I already talked to your Principal," Dad said. "With your academic standing, he said it would me more than all right. It is your choice though."

"O-okay," I said.

Dad smiled, "I'm glad you said yes."

"You're going to love New York," said Erica.

I was nervous though. New York City was huge. The biggest place I had been was Houston and it still paled in comparison to NYC. I would be getting to know Dad and Erica. I think we all needed each other at a time like this. I was packing a suitcase in my room. I looked over at the door as Justin walked in.

"New York City, huh?" he asked.

I shrugged, "I...yeah."

"You'll have fun," he said. He sat down on my bed next to my suitcase.

"I'll miss you," I said.

"You won't be gone long enough to realize I'm not around," he said. I didn't know how long I would be gone and he didn't either. I put a couple more shirts in my suitcase.

"I'll probably miss you the second we're outside the city limits," I said. He looked up at me. "I'll call you. Probably every day."

Justin smiled, "You better. I can't let you go to New York and forget about us out here."

"I could never forget about this place," I said looking around. "Or you." Justin stood up and I was now the one looking up. Justin wrapped his arms around me.

"I'm going to miss you too, Hayley Ann."