chapter two
*back at
home*
As I
woke up, I realized it was not a dream, or should I say a nightmare. I could
still feel the wetness on my pillows. I had that hospital odor all over my
clothes.
It was
time for another day of school, unfortunately it was almost the end on my senior
year. Knowing that I will be graduating the very next day, it was so hard for me
to realize my parents nor my sister will never see me in my cap and gown. Will
never see me move the tassel from one side of my cap to the other. Will never
see me give my valedictorian speech to my fellow classmates.
As the
day ended, my brother, who I haven’t seen in eight years, flew to California
to see me graduate and take me back home to my home state of Florida, where I
was raised for the first ten years of my life.
I saw a
taxi pull up on the driveway and walked out to the front. Out came a man wearing
a white-collar shirt and black suit pants. He carried a duffel bag along with a
medium-sized suitcase from the truck of the car. As we locked eyes with each
other, he dropped everything he had and ran right to me.
“Are
you O.K.?” he said with concern while hugging me tightly.
“Yeah.”
I said as I pulled away. “C’mon, let’s get you inside.
He
grabbed his bag and suitcase and walked into the house. He followed me upstairs
to where he would spend the night. He noticed the two-door bedroom and decided
to check it out.
“Hey,
lil’ sis. Who’s room is this?” as he was about to reach the knob.
I turned
back at him and noticed what he was reaching for. Trying to hold everything
together, I bit my lips tightly, but I failed. Tears of sadness fell as he
opened the doors.
“It was
mommy and daddy’s room,” I said as I plopped to the carpet and broke down.
“Arlene,
its O.K. don’t cry. Please don’t cry.” He said while his arms were wrapped
around my back.
*later
that night*
“So,
sis, how does it feel to be Valedictorian?” he said with a smile on his face.
“How
does it feel to be a 30 year-old doctor named Erik who makes thousands and
thousands of dollars and is STILL single?” I said with a sarcastic voice.
“Geez.
I didn’t mean to offend you, lil’ girl” he said with such a sarcastic
voice. (see the resemblance)
“I
don’t think I want to go to school tomorrow,” I said.
“Heeeeellllllllllllllooooooo!!!!!!!
You’re graduating TOMORROW. You’re the Valedictorian.” He said as if it
was the most important thing in my life.
“It’s
not worth it anymore. Who’s gonna give me the ‘pat on the back,’ or a
‘job well done,’ or ‘I’m proud of you.’” I said with no hope.
“I
am,” Erik said proudly, “ all that and much, much more.”
I smiled
back and decided to go to bed. “Night. You know how much I love to sleep and
all,” I said as I walked up the stairs. I could see a little light coming from
underneath my sister’s door. As I held in my tears I walked in. There, the
bed’s comforters were still sagging on the floor with her favorite stuffed
animal on her baby blue pillows. The stars on the ceiling glowed ever so
brightly as her sun-moon lamp lit the room up. I could smell her raspberry mist
throughout the entire room.
I
switched the lamp off and slowly walked out. Taking a deep breath of relief, I
walked towards my room and changed into my white and orange checkered pajamas.
It was around 10:45 p.m. when the entire house turned pitch black. Suddenly, the
doorknob turned and the door slowly opened wide. I pulled the covers over me
when I realized that it was just plain ol’ Erik.
“Night,
sis.” He said out loud.
“Ohh, geez, Erik. You
freaked me out.” I said in such a nervous voice.
“Sorry…
well, night.” He said as he started to close the door.
“Night!”
I yelled aloud.