Seaside Dances_A Sweet Romance by Stacy Claflin

Author:Stacy Claflin [Claflin, Stacy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2015-07-20T07:00:00+00:00

Sixteen

Zachary climbed out of the passenger seat of his own car, clutching the bouquet of flowers that Jasmine had picked out and purchased. He shook just thinking about visiting Sophia's grave. He hadn't even seen the tombstone in person. Jake had shown him pictures shortly after it had been erected.

He locked the car and then followed the path toward where his sister rested. The permanence of her death hit him at that moment. Obviously, he knew she was gone and that he would never see her again, but going back to where they had laid her a few years ago… it was like a smack to his face.

His knees gave out, but Jasmine must have been right next to him—he hadn't even noticed—because suddenly her arms went around his waist.

"Easy there," she said. "I'm here for you, and if you want privacy, then I'll give you that, too."

His voice caught in his throat, but he managed to find it. "I want you there."

"I have all day." She tightened her grip around his waist, helping him walk.

Zachary's stomach twisted in knots and he felt like he would lose his lunch. That was all he needed, for Jasmine to witness that. He let go of the flowers with one hand and wrapped that arm around her for support, in more ways than one.

They came to an intersecting path.

"Which way do we go?" Jasmine asked.

Zachary looked around, trying to remember. It had been three years, but he recognized the path down to the left. It had a statue of a crying angel. They followed the path. Nearly everything was exactly as he remembered back on the worst day of his life. No one should have to bury their baby sister, ever.

He slowed when they reached a row of tombstones that seemed familiar. There had only been a few when he'd been there, but now not only was the row filled out, but many more were as well. Had that many people in Kittle Falls died over the last three years?

"This row?" Jasmine asked.

Zachary took a deep breath and swallowed. He looked down, remembering standing there with his family and so many of Sophia's friends.

"Must be that one," Jasmine said.

He saw the one she meant. There was one with a teddy bear, framed pictures, dried flowers, and even some envelopes. "Popular even in death." Zachary's voice cracked.

Jasmine moved her arm up to his shoulders and squeezed. "Are you ready?"

His body felt cold despite the heat of the day and Jasmine's warm embrace. He shivered, not wanting to face it—and the fact that he'd mostly been pretending that Sophia was away, only traveling somewhere. If only that were the case. He shivered.

"Come on," Jasmine said, taking a step.

"I can see it from here."

"Let's take a look at the inscription," said Jasmine.

Zachary had the sudden urge to stomp his foot and say that he refused to look. It would be easier to continue living in an imaginary world where his sister was in Paris or some other place she'd dreamed of going, but would never have the chance to visit.

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