Craved (Book 2)

-19-

Update: 7/27/20

Chapter Nineteen

Zamaria

"Mari you have to eat something," Jessica whined as Zamaria sat near the window just staring out into space.

She couldn't function. She couldn't sleep, she couldn't eat, and she barely talked to anyone. Zamaria was lost in the sea of despair and hurt, never able to find solid ground to stand on. Today was the day they would finally bury their mother.

A soft knock was heard on the door followed by their father entering the room. "How is she?" He asked softly.

Zamaria knew it wasn't fair for her to be closed off like this, but she couldn't help it. The years of guilt and frustrations were weighing heavy on her heart and she didn't know how to navigate around it. She didn't know how to let her family in so they all could grieve together.

Jessica shook her head, stting down the bowl of soup she had prepared. Her patience was wearing thin with her sister. Nothing she tried was getting through to Zamaria.

"Princess, we have to go. It's time." Her father said softly placing a hand on her shoulder gently. "But we need you to eat something before you pass out. It's hot out and we don't want anything happening to you."

Zamaria began to move on autopilot as she stood and made her way to the kitchen. She grabbed a banana from the fruit bowl and walked out the door with everyone watching her like a hawk. She climbed into the backseat of her father's car waiting to be transported to the place the family was to meet, before heading to the funeral.

Jessica climbed in the back with her sister wrapping her arms around her trying to show her some comfort. When they arrived, most of the family had already shown up. Many consoling each other as others reminisced about the happier times they had. Zamaria staid rooted in the car as everyone else got out. She stared around the place taking in the many faces, but not really seeing anyone.

There was one face she sought out the most but knew deep in her heart he wouldn't be there. It still didn't stop her from hoping to see him.

"Z, we're ready to leave." Brody held the door open and she climbed out only to get into the family limo with her dad, her sister, Brody, and two of her aunts.

"Hello sweet girl, how are you holding up?" Her aunt Precious asked. Zamaria said nothing and just closed her eyes and rested her head on the back of the seat.

"Is she going to be okay?" She heard her other Aunt Sally speak.

"It's been really rough on her since she got the news. Hasn't spoken much since. The doctors say it's just her way of coping with everything." Her father answered.

"Your mother is resting in a better place. She's with us all." She felt her Aunt Precious touch her hand lightly as she spoke her words. On instinct, she flinched away from the contact. The rest of the drive was awkwardly silent as everyone wondered just when the damn was going to break.

The funeral was held at a local church. Her mother wasn't super religious but she did have faith and frequented the church often. Inside everything was decorated nicely. The arrangements were done up with her favorite flowers, Lily's and Roses. The centerpiece that rested on the bottom half of her casket was made in an assortment of colors, light blue, white, soft pinks, yellows, even a lavender color. She never knew flowers came in so many colors. It was all so beautiful.

The first two rows on both sides of the aisle were marked off for family only as everyone else filled the seats behind it. There were yellow bows on the top of the chairs that sat on the end of each row, accentuating that those seats were reserved. On the projector screen above everyone heads was a picture of her mother in her better days. It was one Zamaria remember taking of her. It had been a candid photo but it captured all of her beauty.