Read Online Beautifully Broken by Amanda Bennett - Free Book Online Page B

Seconds later, Gray and his mother
were at my side. Gray wrapped me in his arms tightly. With the slow movement of
his hands across my back, I began to catch my breath. I was embarrassed and
ashamed of my actions. I needed to be stronger than this. I needed Gray to know
that I could be strong, for both of us.
     
    My knuckles were white from
clutching his jacket in my hands. My erratic breathing slowed and my hands
finally gave a little. Gray pulled my face away from his collar, brushing the
hair from my eyes. He lightly pressed his lips to mine. “You’ll be okay. I
promise, I will stay by your side until you’re ready to be alone. Okay?” I
nodded my head in agreement as he pulled me into a standing position. My knees
felt weak under my weight, but I was determined to make it the next few feet.
     
    Gray gripped my hand tightly
in his. He walked the few steps we had left and stopped in front of the conjoined
headstone. I curiously glanced up and let out the breath I was holding in.
     
    Their headstone was
absolutely beautiful. I know it sounds a bit demented but it was amazing. The
whole thing was a beautifully carved marble slate. Our last name was etched in
the middle with lilies along both sides, trailing down around the engraved
pictures of my parents. I didn’t have to worry about the details when they had
died. My parents had left everything in their will, to their exact
specifications. I could only guess that they knew I wouldn’t be able to deal
with all of it, if I was the one to have to bury them. I did however; pick the
picture of each of them that would be etched into the marble.
     
    I had chosen my absolute
favorite of both of them. The one of my mother was on the last Mother’s Day I
had gotten to spend with her. We went to a quaint bistro at a beautiful rose
garden. I planned the whole day myself. We ate and spent hours wandering around
looking at the expansive roses. When we came across the sterling roses, my
favorite, my mom said that they had taken her breath away. She told me that
they represented my beauty perfectly, unique and timeless. I snapped a picture
a moment later; she was smiling holding the rose in her hand and looking
directly at me.
    I smiled at the memory
fondly and the heaviness in my chest began to disappear. I looked over at Gray
and his mother to let them know I would be okay on my own. Gray wouldn’t budge
from his standing position by my side. His mother gave a small tug at his arm
and he kissed the top of my head, before turning to walk to where his father
lay. I bent down to make sure the grass was dry before I continued to sit on
it. I leaned forward and ran my fingers across the picture of my mother, but
stopped when I reached my father’s.
     
    His picture was from
Christmas Day, the year before. My mother had bought us all matching sweaters.
Not the gaudy sweaters that grandparents buy you, with a ridiculous reindeer or
snowman on them. These sweaters were from Express. We had wanted them for family
pictures, my father and I but my mother refused. We were beyond excited when we
received them for Christmas.
     
    My Father’s was navy blue
and gray pinstripes exactly like my mothers, while mine was a pink, grey and
navy blue pin striped V-neck. They were beautiful. That morning my father and I
insisted on retaking our family pictures, from the previous month. My mother
happily obliged. I tried to take a candid shot of my father putting a fallen
ornament back on the tree, but he turned at the last second with an enormous
smile on his face. I simply rolled my eyes and kissed my father on the nose
before heading into the kitchen to help with the turkey.
     
    I chuckled to myself at the
thought of that very memory. It had been the best Christmas I had or would ever
have. I slid my finger across my father’s picture before placing the flowers
underneath. I sat back on my feet not knowing what to do or say. I had always
seen people talk to their loved ones while visiting, but