The Tower by Nicole Campbell

Author:Nicole Campbell [Campbell, Nicole]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Next Chapter
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Thirty-Eight: Rowyn

No no no no no no no, I thought as I witnessed Reed fall apart next to me. I can't do this without him. I gripped his hand tightly and let him be. I couldn't look around. I couldn't focus on the Stones or on my own mother or Jared or anyone if I had a hope of making it through what I was going to say. Cecelia appeared much in the same way she had at the Stone's- compassionate but strong. She effectively marched to the front of those congregated, and her presence sent people to their seats, mouths quiet. She was dressed in lilac, and it suited her dark hair and gray eyes. She spoke without flowery words or ceremony, and that made me like her more.

“Today is a day we struggle through. This tragedy is not one we have begun to process fully, for how can we? But today is not about tragedy or loss. Today is about remembrance, honor, and love. I knew Rose as many of you did- the smiling girl who grew up to be a beautiful young woman, ready to help anyone she could at any time. Her light shone on so many, and today we remember that.”

She spoke on about the Stones, and Rose's ties to our community. All of the altruistic things she'd done, from taking freshly baked goods to shelters, to volunteering her time with the littles during rituals and ceremonies. These things were all true. These were things I knew people would say about her. During the speech, Reed pulled himself together, and I squeezed his hand again. I knew why he was able to stop crying. Hearing about her this way, well, it sounded like a catalog version of Rosie. Shiny and commercial. Not that anyone was trying to do anything wrong, it just wasn't completely real. This gave me the strength to read what I had written.

I was lost a bit in my own head when I noticed the lull. I glanced up at Cecelia to find her kind expression focused on me, expectant. Oh. My turn. Reed looked at me with a question on his face.

“Just… if I need you,” I whispered as I stood.

“I'll be there.” I scooted past him out into the makeshift aisle between the rows and made my way in front of those gathered. There were maybe fifty people seated. That seemed small but not-so-small all at the same time. I'd never spoken to fifty people about anything. It occurred to me as acid churned in my stomach that I didn't quite know how to begin.

“Rose is my best friend.” I had already decided to express this in the present tense. She didn't cease to be my friend because she was on the other side of all of this. “She has been my best friend since before I could form memories, but the memories I am lucky enough to have are solid, living things, and there are a few I'd like to share with you.

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