Twice The Trouble

Final Chapter: Goodbyes

HERE LIES QUEEN HERNANDEZ

Caring daughter, friend, and mother

                  1969-1997

The corners of my sky blue eyes stung with tears.

So this is how Ate Jolene felt when she lost her biological parents.

Alone. Incomplete. As Sophia would put it--an eternal melancholy.

I used the back of my hand to brush away my tears off my face.

"I'm okay. I'm okay," I whispered under my breath as I tightened my hold around two bouquets.

Commanding my pink-clad feet to move, I exhaled a wary sigh and cautiously walked in the direction of two more graves which were behind the headstones of Ate Jolene's parents.

I didn't give a damn if my skirt of legs got soiled. I dropped on both my knees in front of the two gray tombstones sitting side by side:

REST IN PEACE

STEPHEN STA. ANA

Loyal friend and husband

1974-1998

REST IN PEACE

ANASTASIA P. STA. ANA

Loving wife and mother

1975-1998

I set down one bouquet of red roses in front of each gravestone,controlling my tears.

"I'm okay, I'm okay," I chanted again to myself as I put both my palms above my heart.

My eyes fluttered closed as I felt the cool morning breeze blow my long yellow hair in multiple directions. There was this deep sadness inside of me that I knew would never be gone. And yet, I felt content with my life. I was surrounded by good friends, a reliable family, and perhaps, once I'm ready, another opportunity at love.

At that last potential thought, I sneaked a glimpse at Bryce's serene expression.

"Done checking me out, pink headband?"

I scoffed at him. "So what if I'm not?" I beamed in triumph when his jaw fell open.

"Are you going to keep ogling me or are you going to help me?" I smirked at him before I arrogantly held out my hand to him. He tucked his palm onto mine and hoisted me up.

"Uh. I'm still here, you know," stated Lucas, who looked bemused at our exchange.

A fourth voice chimed in. "Flirting so early in the morning? Have some respect for the deceased, will you?"

The three of us turned around and saw a long-haired brunette in glasses and a black sweater and faded jeans. Her brown locks were tied back into a high ponytail, as per usual.

I was smiling from ear to ear as the 18-year-old girl slung her arms around my shoulders.

"Sop!"

Sophia

January 2, 2017. Monday Morning.

A new chapter. A new beginning.

It felt like a fresh beginning of a second chance at life.

Hmm. Resurrection.. revival? That sounds like an interesting plot for a book.

Anyway!

I checked my wristwatch: 8:30 am. I woke up early, showered, dressed, ate breakfast, and stuck a yellow sticky note on my sleeping sister's forehead before kissing her cheek and closing the door behind me.