Wrong Path

Chapter 1

"Grandma--" she cuts me off

"You go ahead. I need a minute"

I nod understanding. I give her hand that's still wrapped around the steering wheel a quick squeeze before exiting the car.

"You just get bigger every time I see you Rayven" my grandpa Marcus says coming to me and giving me a hug.

"You just saw me last month" I laugh returning the hug

"Yea and you've already grown an inch or two." He stares at me while I smile "God....you have your mothers smile." He says tears coming in his eyes

"I know. Grandma tells me that all the time" I say

"Where is your grandmother anyway?" He asks

"In the car....she needed a minute"

"Alright ill go to her" he says walking to the car

I walk further into the cemetery and sigh as I see that one headstone that I knew all to well. In big White letters it read "Think of me as living in the hearts of those I touched. For nothing loved is ever lost & I have loved so Much."

I always loved those words.

I notice our regular crew of people and I smile. I'm happy to see they all continue to come. My uncle Jake, grandma Melanie, aunt krystal are all still here. Of course we also have my grandmother and grandfather.

"Hey Ray" my aunt krystal says coming to me

"Hey aunty krys" I say giving her a hug

My aunty krystal is easily my favorite aunt. She's always been around. She always listens to me and doesn't judge me for anything I've ever gotten in trouble for. And well...she spoils me and I absolutely love it.

"I know today isn't easy kid...but you got this " she says Reassuringly

"No, you got this. I know it's not easy being here for you because of how close you both were"

"Nah it isn't" she admits "but I'll be fine.

"Rayven!" I follow the voice and lock eyes with my aunt Keisha. I haven't seen her since I was eight. I'm seventeen now so imagine my surprise when I see her walking towards me.

"Wow" she says starring at me "you look JUST like-" Aunt Keisha was saying until aunt krys coughed "..your mother." She says

I furrow my eyebrows in confusion but pass it off as just a weird altercation since we haven't seen her in a while
"thank you" I say

My grandmother and grandfather walk towards us. My grandmother's eyes red and puffy evidence of her crying a few moments before.

"Let's get started" my grandfather says

Everyone goes to the basket my grandma Melanie (my grandfathers wife) has in her hands and we each grab a different colored rose. The colors were white,red,black,purple, and blue.

I grab a purple and black one because those were my mothers favorite colors. I know because my aunt krys told me.

We all huddle around her tombstone.

Every year we grab a rose and say something about my mom. Anything that comes to mind is welcome. After you say something you place the rose by the toomstone.

That's exactly what we continued to do Today.

"I'd like to start if you all don't mind" my uncle Jake says holding a red rose. We all nod telling him he could go.he clears his throat. "Alia was the coolest person you could meet. She had this way about her that made it impossible not to like her. I really miss the conversations we would have...." Uncle Jake stares at nothing in particular as he remembers something about my mom. " she had my back and I had hers. I loved how easy it was to talk to her, I loved the hugs she would give me, I loved how she acted, I loved her. I STILL love her. I always will.everything about her really was just....Amazing." he tried to cover up a few sobs and I get a little teary eyed "She's truly missed." He finishes as he puts his rose on her tombstone

Next it was Aunt Keisha. I really wanted to hearbwjat she had to say. What memories did she hold onto? It's been so long I can't remember if she even spoke at the last birthday she attended
" I remember when Alia would always be by my side. If I did something stupid she would be there to help me fix it....." Aunt keisha smiles " When I was a teenager I was wild man....always going to parties,getting high, always going to bars, always tasting a new drink....And alia would always be there some how. She looked after me so my dumb ass...sorry excuse my language, behind wouldn't get in trouble...No matter what she was there...I just wish she would be here again. To help me. To be the best friend that I so desperately need again. I wish she never passed away. I love you girl" aunt Keisha finishes putting a blue rose on her tombstone

I was just thinking that if my mom was here would aunt Keisha still have become an alcoholic? I'm not 100% sure but I think my mother's death drove her to drink more.
If my Mom wasn't pregnant with me she could still be alive. If it wasn't for me my mother would be here to help all these people out..
I understand it isn't healthy to think of it like that but...I can't help it. In my heart I feel at fault. Especially on a dy like this.

My Grandma, Grandpa, and grandma Mel all said their memories. Each placing a different colored rose on the tombstone.

Then came aunt krys. She took a minute. Just starring at the tombstone and holding on to that purple rose.

"Alia...."she started ,tears already streaking down her face "She was my girl...she was the one who helped me through my problems. She was the one I could call whenever I got scared or had nightmares. She was the one who held me when I cried. She was the one who I trusted enough with this really huge secret....She was my everything. I knew her for a short time but in that short time we'd grown a bond that's stronger than I have yet to experience again. That's how I know what we had was rare.. Anything I needed she was there and I did the same for her. Making sure she was ok. I was there everyday while she was pregnant. If she had nightmares at night she KNEW she could video call me and I'd be there. I don't just want her to be here, I NEED her to be. Because right now I need her encouraging talks. I need her warm hugs. I need her bright smile to make my days. I NEED my Lia back. But I know I can never get her back. So I have to continue to talk to her while she's In heaven and hope that she hears me." Aunt krys looks up in the sky and puts her hand where he heart is " it hurts that you aren't here lia. But I know you are in a good place where no one can hurt you. I love you. Always and forever." With those words Aunt krys places her rose on the tombstone. As she bends down to place it with all the others she crys. Not a silent cry, a loud one. One that you can actually feel the hurt.

My grandmother goes to her and holds Aunt krys. They both cry almost in unison. Sharing each other's pain

The clouds move away from the sun just enough for a spotlight like light to shine down on us. that was my mom showing us that she was there. That she missed us just as much as we missed her.

We all walk towards our cars ready to go to my moms favorite restaurant.

"Wait I forgot my purse" I say running back to her grave. As I bend down to get it i have a sense that someone was looking at me. I look up and in the distance I see a man. He stands beside an aged Tombstone. It didn't look as new as the ones surrounding it.

I squint trying to make out his features. So far I could only see his skin color. He waves and I hesitate before I wave back.

Once I do he turns and speed walks away.

"Who was that?" Aunt Keisha asks coming to my side

"I have no idea" I say walking away.
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Ok 2,233 words!!! For a FIRST chapter that's awesome.

Please stick with this story guys i really think it'll be a good one.

Love ya
Xoxo
Katryce