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Ocean Breathes Salty

Mia sat in the living room, staring into space. This couldn’t be happening. This can’t be real. This had to be a nightmare. She needed to wake up. “Mia?” She heard. Shifting her eyes, she looked at Adriano. Her father had worn a black suit. She wore an all-black dress. “Are you ready?” Adriano asked his daughter. Standing up, Mia didn’t say a word. The moment the pair were outside, Mia climbed into the passenger side of her fathers’ truck. Adriano took off to the funeral home.

“I can’t…” Mia said softly when Adriano pulled up. Sitting in the truck with her father, her face was buried in her hands. She didn’t care if she ruined her make up. She couldn’t bring herself to stop crying. She was supposed to be strong. She kept telling herself that. “I can’t…go inside,” Mia tried telling her father. Adriano didn’t say a word. Instead, Adriano climbed out of the car and walked to the passenger side. He helped his daughter out of the truck. He handed Mia the dress she made for Barbie. Mia took it and stared at her father. “You can do this. I’m here every step of the way,” Adriano told Mia.

Adriano took Mia’s hand, and guided her inside. Escorting her to the front, he kissed his daughter’s forehead before stepping to the side. “Oh Barbie,” Mia wept. Mia reached out to touch Barbie’s hand. It was cold. Her heard broke all over again. With the dress she made for Barbie, Mia placed it beside her. “I promise, I’ll never make another one like this. This will forever be yours,” she whispered. Taking a few steps back, Mia took a seat beside Dallas. Holding his hand, she rested her head on his shoulder.

It seemed as if everything was a blur. Sure, she could hear people in the background. She kept wondering, why now? Barbie fought. And fought like hell to beat the cancer. Mia was looking forward to a lifetime of memories. It was never going to happen. Barbie will never see her precious granddaughter. She’ll never get to hold her. The thought of that crushed Mia.

“Mia? Hello Mia...” she kept hearing. Looking up, she saw the pastor along side her father. “Would you like to say any words?” The pastor asked her. Nodding, Mia stood up. It was visible that she was shaking. Taking a few deep breaths, she tried to calm her nerves. She couldn’t have a panic attack. Not now. She needed to be strong now. Adriano placed his hand on Mia’s shoulder and guided her to the podium. Mia looked up. Suddenly, stage fright was hitting. She had to remind herself this was for Barbie.

“Hi,” she said into the microphone. Her mind was racing. What could she say? She was at lost for words at this moment. “Barbie was one of the strongest women I knew. After my mom passed away almost a year ago, Barbie stepped up to the plate. She loved me like her own,” she started. Tears were falling down her face. She couldn’t believe in less than a years’ time she lost two people she looked up to.

“She always made it impossible for me to ever frown. She always managed to put a smile on my face, regardless of what was thrown my way. I may have my moments where I was reckless, or even stubborn. She loved me through it all,” Mia added on. Placing her hand on her stomach, she took another deep breath. “She would have been a wonderful grandmother. I will be sure her memory does live on,” Mia said. Linking her arm with her fathers’, Mia walked away from him. Her heard was shattered. This couldn’t have been real. But it was. She wanted Barbie to open her eyes and embrace her in a hug.

Watching her casket being carried out to the hearse, Mia broke down. All she felt was her father embrace her. She didn’t want to go back to the ranch. She wanted to crawl under her blanket and never come out. The promise Mia made to Barbie kept replaying in her head. She had to watch out for Dallas. He needed her, now, more than ever.