Chapter 8- A Funeral Fit for a King

Getting up was hard the next day. I didn't want to face life again out of fear. Now that I know the darkness that life holds, what might come out next? There were only 2 things that anchored me to face the sunlight in the morning: Finnick and Father's funeral.

In District 4 we don't really do anything fancy for a funeral; we invite a couple of close loved ones and say a few words as the body is released to the ground with maybe a few sweets to pass around, if they can afford it. Though, it is a huge disgrace to leave the face covered because when you cover your face, you cover your eyes. We want the deceased to see where they are going when they travel up to Heaven or whatever is up there. If you trap the eyes, you trap the soul.

I swear on my Father's name that his funeral will be one fit for a king. His name should not be forgotten. I am happy for my father though; if there is an afterlife of some sort, he is with my mother. They would be reunited once more and that is all I have ever hoped for. Maybe, right now, they are dancing together…wherever they are. I hope they never stop dancing. It was such a sight to see.

As I make myself look decent enough to be satisfied, I send Finnick off to spread word about the funeral. I decide to bury him right next to my mother and I, when my time comes, will follow. Some men that were friends of my fathers come in almost immediately to demand that they receive the honor of digging the hole or placing the body to rest. I agree immediately because I couldn't face to dig up the whole that my father's dead cold body will forever lay nor could I carry him there myself and I don't expect Finnick to volunteer for those jobs any time soon.

It is hard to take care of a store that reminds me so much of father. Every couple of minutes I think I hear his voice ,but am fooled when it is just the whistling of the wind. I could've sworn I heard his wheels ,but was slapped in the face to find out it was just the creaking of our old wood. Everything reminds me of him. All of my most loyal customers give me words of grief and/or hope and I respond with words of thanks. Then they give me too much money that I ask for and tell me to keep the change. I love the fact that they care enough to be sympathetic ,but every time I hear the word 'sorry' I feel like my heart sinks lower and lower into my stomach.

By the time of the funeral, I am basically begging for Finnick and his smile. As if he could hear my thoughts, he comes charging through the room in a suit that looks quite handsome on him. I wear an old black dress my mother used to wear with a couple of rips here and there ,but at least it's suitable for the occasion.

"How are you holding up?" He asks as we walk, arm and arm, to where the funeral is going to take place. The volunteers walk behind us with Father's body wrapped in a woven sack that Finnick and I worked on all last night to distract me.

"I might need some glue to piece me back together when we are done with this," I say weakly.

My breath is instantly taken away with what I see before me. Hundreds of people crowd the sight of the burial and each holds a tissue in their hands. Some I recognize from photos, others have no recognition whatsoever. I'm sure they knew my father though because they are wearing the same expression I am.

"Finnick, you didn't have to tell all of these people ,but thank you." I whisper.

"Most of them I didn't even invite, they must know your father on their own."

And with no time to waste the ceremony starts. It must have been the biggest one District 4 has ever seen. It is actually a ceremony not just a 'gathering'. My father deserves every second of this.

These people are here for you, father. Look and see how much you are loved.

I can sit with no one other than Finnick and his family. Even Mags shows up though I couldn't have imagined her moving more than an inch for her fragile, aged body might crumble.

is the first to speak. He describes what a wonderful person my father was and old memories the two shared. He tears up when he starts a story of how father rescued him in the middle of the ocean. When he is done he asks for more people to speak. Half of the people raise their hands begging to say a few words and with that, the ceremony is started. I am shocked as to how many people cared and loved for my father. I knew he was a man too great for words ,but I guess I didn't understand before how many lives he had touched.

Finnick is the last to speak on behalf of my father. I wasn't expecting him to do so ,but he is always surprising me.

"I hadn't known until a couple of weeks ago when I managed to get employed at his store," he begins. "But in that short amount of time I recognized him as one of the best men I have ever met and will meet in my existence. I will always remember his way of holding himself in such a manner that couldn't be corrected. And I hope, with every ounce of my being, that I will become at least half of the man he was because striving to fully meet the characteristics of him seems impossible."

I grin at Finnick and grab his hand when he takes his seat next to me.

"I'm sure he loved to hear that. Thank you," I whispered in his ear.

"Every ounce of it was truth Annie." He whispers back and kisses my forehead.

Before Father is placed in the ground, it is District 4 tradition to have relatives remove the fabric from his face and to wet their eyelids with saltwater fresh from the sea. I shyly walk to my father and uncover him. I whisper a small 'I love you' as I touch his eyelids with the water and he is placed down into the Earth. Then, everyone stands and places their right fist against their heart and press it forward. This is the District 4 symbol for love, honor, pride, and a sign of gratitude and praise for what was done.

Then slowly, one by one, the crowd melts away. A few faces confront me and offer up their words of grief. Suddenly, all that is left is Finnick, his family and I. His father and mother both hug me and offer dinner hosted at their house and I immediately accept. Mags and Finnick stay behind.

"Do you have any place to go honey?" asks Mags. I shake my head no."Well, my house has two rooms that just collect dust if you want to put one to use. I get lonely dear."

I understand what she is saying. She wants me to move in with her!

"Oh Mags, of course! Thank you!" I say with a tight hug. She laughs.

"Well, Finnick will help you with your things. Come over when you're ready," she says as she slowly walks away.

"Finnick, if you don't mind, I need a moment with my father," I say.

Finnick nods and kisses my cheek, "I'll just be over there." And he turns to talk to some friends.

I kneel down atop my father's new grave and beside my mother's.

"Hey dad. I know you're happy up there, with mom. Tell her I say hi and that I love her. I bet you can walk now. I bet you can fish all day. I bet you are dancing with mom, right now. I can see it. I know you have a lot of fun things to do up there. I was just wondering if you could keep an eye out for me. Don't worry about me…I can take care of myself thanks to you," tears start streaming down my face. "Every once in a while just check up on my okay? I'm just going to miss you so much…both of you. But don't worry; soon enough I'll be up there with you and we can finally be together again. I promise I'll make you two proud. "

"And I promise to take care of her Mr. & Mrs. Cresta," Finnick says from behind me. He kneels down beside me. "I promise to be there for her." A tear runs down his cheek and I brush it away with my thumb.

"Come on Finnick. I want to go pack my things."

Finnick nods, takes my hand, and leads me to my home.

I love you mom and dad. Don't ever forget that.

Note from the Author: I have to admit that I came close to crying on this one Please review! I want to know if you guys like it. It means a lot to here from you guys and boosts me to write more. Thanks!