Rekindled Embers

I stared out of my tinted car window reminiscing about the time I last checked the cemetery after my mother's death. It has been years... Sixteen years to be precise. And now I'm here again all dressed in black mourning my late husband, Jake Harper. I was the first person to come for his funeral after all he is my late husband. I held the black umbrella above me walking towards his dugged out grave staring down at it. He was given a purple heart for injuries sustained during battle and now he's gone. I swallowed the heavy lump in my throat hating that I would never get to see him again. I heard someone chuckle and I realized that I wasn't alone. I lifted my head and eyes to meet with a pair of dark ones... so dark that it spoke of untold stories and mysteries. Jake's best friend and adopted brother. He was here and it seemed like he has been standing at the corner long before I even came here. " I didn't expect you will come stoic after all you loved him. You should be trembling, shaking in tears, weeping if need be not back to frost" he murmured, a devious smirk on his face. " Nice to meet you again, you are?" I asked feigning innocence clearly knowing how he was. We didn't hate each other per se but we stayed away from each other's path and respected ourselves for Jake's sake. " I don't shed tears. After all my last name is Frost" I smirked, feeling so good beating him at his own game. " You know I despise the last name. You didn't wait for at least a year before you had the name changed".He snapped.I turned to the grave and sighed, Jake was my everything and I truly loved him but no matter how hard I try I just couldn't let tears leave my eyes. I have never cried before and I couldn't explain why. One thing I knew was that I was strong and still am. I can move on no matter what life throws at me. " I love Jake but I can move on not wanting to tie myself to the past anymore". I murmured. Kieran threw his head back and laughed." So you don't want to feel grief? Moving on is fine but you don't want to feel sad that he is gone. Let me guess after the funeral you're leaving" He said and I couldn't reply, he was right. I am leaving California for good. " Won't you at least stay for Thanksgiving?" He asked feeling solemn all of a sudden. " I'm sorry but I can't. I don't want anything to do with Jake" I said firmly. He gave a nod and turned to leave.He stopped in his tracks turning to me." I don't know what you have been through to shut people out and run away from the pain and grief but I can assure you that I don't want you to leave. I want you to come to trust me and maybe let me draw out tears for you and still be the shoulder you'll cry on." With that, he left. The Funeral started and basically the place was filled up. People loved Jake so much and apparently he fought for our country...and won with a painful cost. I said my closures to him letting him know that I will bury him like I did to my past. I didn't want hugs and condolences from people so I left the cemetery before anyone noticed. I glanced behind me to meet with Kieran's eyes which looked almost sad but I knew better to turn away.