"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.
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"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.
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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?