I woke up the next morning to a crashing of a vase. I jumped out of bed and grabbed the softball bat from my closet, heart racing. It was a little after six but the sun wasn't exactly rising just yet. I moved into the hall and looked up and down. David's door was still shut, maybe he didn't hear it. I started down the stairs, bat ready to swing. I came to the bottom of the stairs, seeing no one. Then I took a deep breath, turned sharply into the living room, bat ready, and saw two figures bending over on the floor. I flicked on the lights, Randy and David. Both of them looked at me so fast I thought their necks would break. "Shit Sarah, you scared to death." I looked at David with disbelief, "Seriously, its six a.m. and I'm awaken to broken glass and I scared you?" He looked at me for a second then smiled, "Well at least you were prepared" hinting at my bat. Randy smiled apologetically then finished picking up the glass. The living room was filled with cardboard boxes. Today was the day we were going to start packing up the house.
I made us eggs and toast as they finished cleaning up the floor. We all ate together before discussing where to begin. David had to leave around one to get Aunt Jess and Maddie from the airport. They would be staying with Aunt Susan and Uncle Bill for the funeral, which is tomorrow.
After breakfast, we started in the office, packing up books and old knick knacks. We never did say anything so David turned on the radio which did eventually turn into some singing. At about twelve we finished and took a lunch break. We decided Randy and I would start on the downstairs bathroom and living room while he drives to the airport.
As David drove away, I began going through the bathroom, tossing away old soap and what not. I could hear Randy singing from the living room, loudly. I decided to join in. Before I knew it, he was at the bathroom door and we both started singing to each other. As the song ended, we sang our final cord then broke out into laughter. The next song was slower and softer. I smiled then turned to finish cleaning out the cabinet. But he took my hand, "Come on, dance with me." Before I knew it, I was in his arms, looking up at those gray eyes. He smiled at me as we danced in circles. He then looked up with a dead serious face. I turned and saw a shadow in the window but as soon as I looked, it ran. Randy's grip on my tightened as he pulled me back into the bathroom, shutting me inside. "Wait here." Terrified, I locked the door and sat on the floor hearing the front door open.
I sat there, petrified, waiting to hear something. I turned off the light, hoping everything was okay. Who was that? Why were they looking inside our house? Why did Randy act that way? Then I heard the door shut. Silence. "Sarah? Where are you?" I think it was David. I couldn't be sure. Then I heard a second voice, "I told her to wait in the bathroom." Randy. It was David. I unlocked the door and flew in my big brother's arms. He held me close sat me on the couch. "Who was that? What's going on?" I then looked frightfully at Randy. He was panting and his head bleeding. He sat next to me and leaned back, hardly even able to breath. David took a deep breath, went into the kitchen and got him a washcloth. I noticed his hands were busted and blooded too.
"What is going on?" David kneeled at my feet, "That man has been watching the house since we arrived here. He's been watching you." I could feel my heart stop beating. "What? Watching me? Why?" Randy whispered, "He was trying to wait for you to be alone, he was going to kill you." I looked at him then back at David. Neither of them were looking at me. It was a long time before David said anything else. "That man was the driver. That man killed mom and dad."
Life, it happens
Apologize for the current inconvenience, first post starts the story. I add a piece of the story each post.
Family Honor
"Sarah, come on. Aunt Susan is going to be here soon."
I rolled over to see David standing over me. His face was serious and
tired. It didn't look like he got any sleep. I got threw on jeans and a
t-shirt, trying to wake myself up. Aunt Susan and mom were always close
sisters. I know this must be really hard on her. I was getting use to
David's way of handling the situation, no public tears. I know with Aunt
Susan, that would not be the case.
I got some cold pizza from the fridge and sat on the couch. I looked out back, David was on the porch, on the phone. His voice seemed upset, even angry. I don't think he realized I could hear him. Not that I understood what he was saying, but I knew he was upset. I strained to hear more, but a car pulled into the driveway. Aunt Susan.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Sarah, come say hello to Aunt Susan and Uncle Bill." It was Christmas eve. I was seven years old. They were standing in the doorway with Dad, brushing snow off their coats, while holding three gift bags. I remember feeling overjoyed looking at the big pink bag. It had sparkles covering it and even a little white bow. I was certain that was mine. I walked up to them and wished them both a Merry Christmas. The two towered over me with big smiles, "Aww. She just gets cuter everytime we see her." "Really, that smile with her missing tooth kills me everytime."
We all went into the kitchen. David was in there with my Dad's sister and her 8 month old daughter, Maddie. Aunt Susan and Aunt Jess exchanged hugs then everyone sat down for Christmas Eve dinner. But my mind never left that pink bag. It seemed like hours before mom finally announced it was time to exchange presents. I tried to patiently in my dad's lap as my mom gave Aunt Jess and Maddie their gifts first, watching them open their new shower gel and duckie pajamas.
Then finally, I was handed the pink bag. Nearly ripping the sparkly wrapping away, I pulled out a box. It was the Barbie doll I wanted. I was so happy, I jumped up from my dad's lap and hugged Aunt Susan. Everyone laughed then continued to open their gifts. That was the last time we all spent Christmas Eve together. Aunt Jess moved to Ohio and never could make it back for the holidays. And Uncle Bill started spending the holidays with his family. They would come by Christmas day, but it just wasn't the same.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I stood up to open the door for her, which didn't seem to really matter. She busted through the door with tears streaming down her face and wrapped her arms around me. Aunt Susan and Uncle Bill were never a touchy, feely people. They never had kids so when we were growing up, she never really knew how to talk to David or me. But they always did their best. I knew this hug meant a lot to her. She looked me over, "Oh dear, I'm so sorry. I know this must be hard so no worries, your Uncle Bill and I will take care of everything. And as far as school goes, don't worry. We'll make sure the bills will be paid and all of that." She said all this in one very quick breath, gave me another hug then about fell on the couch.
I sat next to her and asked how Uncle Bill was as David came inside. Almost immediately, she popped up and gave him a hug, repeating the same speech she gave to me. David tried to look happy but I could tell something wasn't right. I asked him about it in the kitchen when we offered to bring her water and a snack so she could calm down. "Work, that's all. Just a lot is going on right now. With that and here." He didn't say anymore but carried the glass over to Aunt Susan.
She told us about the storage unit we could put everything in and made suggestions about the furniture and what not. It felt like hours before she stopped and looked at me very seriously, "Sarah, could you go in the kitchen and bring me some more water. I'm parched." Her glass still had some water in it, but I did not argue. As I was filling it, I noticed their voices turned to whispering. I leaned in to hear.
"David, you can't let anything else happen."
"I know."
"After the funeral, your uncle and I are leaving for a little. I suggest you keep a very close eye on Sarah, even when she goes back to school. Have you talked to Aunt Jess?"
"Yeah, she's fine. Her and Maddie are flying out tomorrow for the funeral. I'm picking them at the airport. I don't want to take any risks."
"Okay, good. Just remember that now its not just for you, but for your family honor." Family Honor? What were they talking about?
"Sarah! Do you have my water?
I got some cold pizza from the fridge and sat on the couch. I looked out back, David was on the porch, on the phone. His voice seemed upset, even angry. I don't think he realized I could hear him. Not that I understood what he was saying, but I knew he was upset. I strained to hear more, but a car pulled into the driveway. Aunt Susan.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Sarah, come say hello to Aunt Susan and Uncle Bill." It was Christmas eve. I was seven years old. They were standing in the doorway with Dad, brushing snow off their coats, while holding three gift bags. I remember feeling overjoyed looking at the big pink bag. It had sparkles covering it and even a little white bow. I was certain that was mine. I walked up to them and wished them both a Merry Christmas. The two towered over me with big smiles, "Aww. She just gets cuter everytime we see her." "Really, that smile with her missing tooth kills me everytime."
We all went into the kitchen. David was in there with my Dad's sister and her 8 month old daughter, Maddie. Aunt Susan and Aunt Jess exchanged hugs then everyone sat down for Christmas Eve dinner. But my mind never left that pink bag. It seemed like hours before mom finally announced it was time to exchange presents. I tried to patiently in my dad's lap as my mom gave Aunt Jess and Maddie their gifts first, watching them open their new shower gel and duckie pajamas.
Then finally, I was handed the pink bag. Nearly ripping the sparkly wrapping away, I pulled out a box. It was the Barbie doll I wanted. I was so happy, I jumped up from my dad's lap and hugged Aunt Susan. Everyone laughed then continued to open their gifts. That was the last time we all spent Christmas Eve together. Aunt Jess moved to Ohio and never could make it back for the holidays. And Uncle Bill started spending the holidays with his family. They would come by Christmas day, but it just wasn't the same.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I stood up to open the door for her, which didn't seem to really matter. She busted through the door with tears streaming down her face and wrapped her arms around me. Aunt Susan and Uncle Bill were never a touchy, feely people. They never had kids so when we were growing up, she never really knew how to talk to David or me. But they always did their best. I knew this hug meant a lot to her. She looked me over, "Oh dear, I'm so sorry. I know this must be hard so no worries, your Uncle Bill and I will take care of everything. And as far as school goes, don't worry. We'll make sure the bills will be paid and all of that." She said all this in one very quick breath, gave me another hug then about fell on the couch.
I sat next to her and asked how Uncle Bill was as David came inside. Almost immediately, she popped up and gave him a hug, repeating the same speech she gave to me. David tried to look happy but I could tell something wasn't right. I asked him about it in the kitchen when we offered to bring her water and a snack so she could calm down. "Work, that's all. Just a lot is going on right now. With that and here." He didn't say anymore but carried the glass over to Aunt Susan.
She told us about the storage unit we could put everything in and made suggestions about the furniture and what not. It felt like hours before she stopped and looked at me very seriously, "Sarah, could you go in the kitchen and bring me some more water. I'm parched." Her glass still had some water in it, but I did not argue. As I was filling it, I noticed their voices turned to whispering. I leaned in to hear.
"David, you can't let anything else happen."
"I know."
"After the funeral, your uncle and I are leaving for a little. I suggest you keep a very close eye on Sarah, even when she goes back to school. Have you talked to Aunt Jess?"
"Yeah, she's fine. Her and Maddie are flying out tomorrow for the funeral. I'm picking them at the airport. I don't want to take any risks."
"Okay, good. Just remember that now its not just for you, but for your family honor." Family Honor? What were they talking about?
"Sarah! Do you have my water?
Old Friend, New Friend
I didn't say anything, I didn't even move, I couldn't even feel myself breath. A tall strange man with gray eyes and brown hair stared up at me, looking just as confused as I did. "Who are you?" He finally said, not even blinking. Before I could find my voice, the front door was thrown open. The man looked in fear at the intruder then began to laugh. "Shit David. Do you always make an entrance like that?" David. He's home. And he knows this man. For that moment, I felt death run its fingers across my neck as if to tease me.
I could hear David beginning to laugh uneasily, "I didn't recognize your car in the driveway, panicked. How are you?" The man looked up at me and began laughing a little harder, "I'm fine. I think I scared the shit out of your friend here though." Referring to me. David stood next to his friend, looking at my apologetic. "Sarah, you remember Randy."
Those gray eyes were on me again and I remembered.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I walked down the stairs into the living room, watching my mother snap what seemed a hundred pictures of David and his date. Tonight was the big night, Prom. David was all dressed up in his tuxedo, standing next to a very pretty girl in a light pink gown and golden hair done up. They both smiled for the camera, but I could tell David was getting annoyed. Just then the door bell rang. "Sarah dear, go get the door." Little ole me did as I was told and opened the door to a very handsome man in a tuxedo with beautiful gray eyes. Randy. He smiled down at me, "Hey Sarah. Where's Davey at?"
"In here!" I watched as Randy and his date walked towards David's voice into the living room. I followed behind. Envious of the girl in the yellow that would be spending the night with Randy. My brother's attractive best friend. I watched them take picture after picture, doing goofy poses together, and some serious too. Then my mom said she wanted a picture of David and Randy together. The two guys put their arms around each other, with big smiles. I was watching Randy as my mom took the picture and soon after it flashed, he looked right at me with those gray eyes, still smiling.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Sarah?" I smile and nodded, walking down the steps to my old middle school crush. He had certainly grown up but was still as handsome as I remembered him to be. "Hello Randy, been awhile." He smiled back and then looked as apologetic as David's face. "Sorry, I guess you didn't know. David asked me to watch the house till you two got here. Didn't mean to scare you, even though in all fairness, I think you scared me just as badly." David laughed as the three of us walked towards the kitchen for our pizza dinner, "I don't know whats funnier. Sarah being scary or Randy being scared of a defenseless girl." We all laughed and ate together. The three of us. I was no longer the dorky younger sister, I was their friend.
I could hear David beginning to laugh uneasily, "I didn't recognize your car in the driveway, panicked. How are you?" The man looked up at me and began laughing a little harder, "I'm fine. I think I scared the shit out of your friend here though." Referring to me. David stood next to his friend, looking at my apologetic. "Sarah, you remember Randy."
Those gray eyes were on me again and I remembered.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I walked down the stairs into the living room, watching my mother snap what seemed a hundred pictures of David and his date. Tonight was the big night, Prom. David was all dressed up in his tuxedo, standing next to a very pretty girl in a light pink gown and golden hair done up. They both smiled for the camera, but I could tell David was getting annoyed. Just then the door bell rang. "Sarah dear, go get the door." Little ole me did as I was told and opened the door to a very handsome man in a tuxedo with beautiful gray eyes. Randy. He smiled down at me, "Hey Sarah. Where's Davey at?"
"In here!" I watched as Randy and his date walked towards David's voice into the living room. I followed behind. Envious of the girl in the yellow that would be spending the night with Randy. My brother's attractive best friend. I watched them take picture after picture, doing goofy poses together, and some serious too. Then my mom said she wanted a picture of David and Randy together. The two guys put their arms around each other, with big smiles. I was watching Randy as my mom took the picture and soon after it flashed, he looked right at me with those gray eyes, still smiling.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Sarah?" I smile and nodded, walking down the steps to my old middle school crush. He had certainly grown up but was still as handsome as I remembered him to be. "Hello Randy, been awhile." He smiled back and then looked as apologetic as David's face. "Sorry, I guess you didn't know. David asked me to watch the house till you two got here. Didn't mean to scare you, even though in all fairness, I think you scared me just as badly." David laughed as the three of us walked towards the kitchen for our pizza dinner, "I don't know whats funnier. Sarah being scary or Randy being scared of a defenseless girl." We all laughed and ate together. The three of us. I was no longer the dorky younger sister, I was their friend.
The Gold Room
After carrying our suitcases into the house, David went to get pizza. There was hardly anything in the house worth eating, some out of date even. This left me in the house by myself. As soon as he left, I began walking around, crying softly to myself, finally alone to mourn. They were gone. My mother and father. The two people that cared for me all my life and now they were gone. It just didn't seem real. I was here two weeks ago. They were here. Dad, pouring each of us a glass of wine. Mom, tossing the salad. All of smiles, happy to be in each other's company.
Standing in my old bedroom, it was clear that they never moved a thing. Trophies and ribbons from early years of soccer and science fairs still sat on the shelves. Old pictures of childhood friends remained on my dresser. The old purple rug I insisted on having for my 16th birthday still laid on the old wooden floor. All the same. They use to threaten to turn my room into a guest room and David's into a gym. But it never really happened. They never really did want us to move on and out. We were their precious angels. Apart of me never wanted to move out either. Not like David.
I crossed the hallway to his room. It still smelling like his cheap cologne he wore in high school. His old dresser still sat, the mirror dusty. The closet was practically empty except for a few old sweaters hanging up and boxes on the shelves. His room use to be filled with such life, now it was a bare cell. Continuing down the hall, I opened the last door on the right. My parents room. As soon as you open the door, all you see is bright gold. Sunlight would just dance around the room, bouncing off the sheets to the rug. Everything in there was bright.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Sarah, pst!" David crept into my room, whispering to me. "Sarah, wake up." I rolled over attempting to see my brother with the sunlight blinding me. He sat on the bed next to me. We were quite young then. I was still four, he was eleven. He took my hand and began pulling me out of bed. He put a finger over his lips to keep me from saying anything. Joy began to fill my body as I followed him down the stairs into the kitchen. Today was Mother's Day. Dad was at work on the stove, making eggs. David lifted me up so I could put bread in the toaster, then handed me a glass to fill with water. The three of us, hard at work, prepared the best breakfast for mom ever. Dad handed David the tray of food, warning him to walk slowly, he then picked up me in his arms and we followed David up the stairs down the hall.
I buried my head in my dad's neck to keep from giggling as we crept closer. My father opened the door and there was my mom, still asleep under her golden sheets. Dad sat me down on the bed where he slept and David walked around her side of the bed, still carrying the tray. Dad winked at me then began softly whispering, "Darling... Darling, the kids have something for you." My mom's eyes began to open slowly, but happily. She sat up and looked back and forth between David and I. "You made me breakfast? In bed!" I laughed and threw my hands in the air, "Happy Mother's Day, Mommy!" She grabbed me and tickled me, smothering me in little kisses. All four of us sat there, cartoons playing on the television, enjoying breakfast in bed, together.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I'm not quite sure how long I stood there, watching their room. But it was only the sound of the front door opening and shutting that took my attention away. David's back. I slowly closed the door and began walking back down the hallway, my mind still on my parent's golden room. As I began walking down the stairs, I looked up to someone standing at the bottom. Someone staring at me. Someone that was not David.
Standing in my old bedroom, it was clear that they never moved a thing. Trophies and ribbons from early years of soccer and science fairs still sat on the shelves. Old pictures of childhood friends remained on my dresser. The old purple rug I insisted on having for my 16th birthday still laid on the old wooden floor. All the same. They use to threaten to turn my room into a guest room and David's into a gym. But it never really happened. They never really did want us to move on and out. We were their precious angels. Apart of me never wanted to move out either. Not like David.
I crossed the hallway to his room. It still smelling like his cheap cologne he wore in high school. His old dresser still sat, the mirror dusty. The closet was practically empty except for a few old sweaters hanging up and boxes on the shelves. His room use to be filled with such life, now it was a bare cell. Continuing down the hall, I opened the last door on the right. My parents room. As soon as you open the door, all you see is bright gold. Sunlight would just dance around the room, bouncing off the sheets to the rug. Everything in there was bright.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Sarah, pst!" David crept into my room, whispering to me. "Sarah, wake up." I rolled over attempting to see my brother with the sunlight blinding me. He sat on the bed next to me. We were quite young then. I was still four, he was eleven. He took my hand and began pulling me out of bed. He put a finger over his lips to keep me from saying anything. Joy began to fill my body as I followed him down the stairs into the kitchen. Today was Mother's Day. Dad was at work on the stove, making eggs. David lifted me up so I could put bread in the toaster, then handed me a glass to fill with water. The three of us, hard at work, prepared the best breakfast for mom ever. Dad handed David the tray of food, warning him to walk slowly, he then picked up me in his arms and we followed David up the stairs down the hall.
I buried my head in my dad's neck to keep from giggling as we crept closer. My father opened the door and there was my mom, still asleep under her golden sheets. Dad sat me down on the bed where he slept and David walked around her side of the bed, still carrying the tray. Dad winked at me then began softly whispering, "Darling... Darling, the kids have something for you." My mom's eyes began to open slowly, but happily. She sat up and looked back and forth between David and I. "You made me breakfast? In bed!" I laughed and threw my hands in the air, "Happy Mother's Day, Mommy!" She grabbed me and tickled me, smothering me in little kisses. All four of us sat there, cartoons playing on the television, enjoying breakfast in bed, together.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I'm not quite sure how long I stood there, watching their room. But it was only the sound of the front door opening and shutting that took my attention away. David's back. I slowly closed the door and began walking back down the hallway, my mind still on my parent's golden room. As I began walking down the stairs, I looked up to someone standing at the bottom. Someone staring at me. Someone that was not David.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)