Flash Of Life

St. Charity's Cemetary

I finally arrived from the other side of town. From my dads grave. As soon as I pulled in, I was able to find the grave right away. I only found it right away because it's on the end of a strip. The minute I stepped out, all the flashbacks started.

-2003-
"We will be best friends forever, right?" Christina said as we were building sand castles.

"Of course!" I replied looking up at her.

We were 6 years old.

-2008-
"You know what this magazine says?" Christina asked me while reading 'seventeen'.

"No. What?" I answered.

"It says here that 'a friendship that lasts beyond 7 years is bound to last forever.' Looks like we are going to grow old together!" She said looking up at me.

"I look forward to spending my life with you!" I said as I walked over and gave her a hug.

We were 11 years old.

-April 15th, 2014-
I hear the telephone ringing and I run to answer it.

"Hello?" I said into the phone.

"Guess who got her license?!" Christina sang into the phone!

"No fuckin' way!" I answered.

"Picking you up in 10 to go shopping!" She said before hanging up the phone.

We were 16 years old.

-August 23rd, 2014-
It's 10 at night and the phone is ringing. I was home alone. I didn't know why the phone was ringing, but when I saw the caller ID, I answered immediately.

"Hello?!" I asked panicked!

"Is Miss. Larson there?" They asked.

"Marjorie or Mary?" I asked.

"Mary." They replied.

"Speaking."

"Mary, this is Officer McDast, I found your name as someone to call in the event of a tragic event."

"Okay???"

"Mary, myself and the entire police force regret to inform you that your friend, Christina, just died in a car accident. It wasn't her fault though. A drunk driver crossed the median and hit her head on. I'm so sorry." He finished.

"Thank you for calling." I croaked out. I had a huge lump in my throat from holding back tears. I hung up the phone. Took a deep breath, fell to my knees, and screamed. I sobbed like a baby. My best friend was gone.

The wake, funeral, and burial were the hardest. It was the final goodbye. I stayed at her grave until dusk, then I was forced to leave.

--

I sat down in front of Christina's headstone where it read,
"Christina Simone Fitzgerald
April 10th, 1997-August 23rd, 2014
Taken too young".

I started crying. We were supposed to grow old together. Maybe that will happen if I find her wherever I end up.

"I miss you!" I said as I got up.

"I wish I could stay longer, but I'll see you soon! Love you bestie!" I said as I walked away, still crying.

Next stop, the hospital.