Deep Secret

Farewell

Copyright 2015 RinaRony

"Shelby! Come on, we're going to be late for your brother's farewell!" shouts my mom up to me. "Ok! Almost done!" I reply back.

Today was the day that my older brother Colton was going to serve a two year mission in the Alaska Anchorage mission. He turned eighteen a while ago, and went to college for one year, and decided to go on a mission.

"Come on, Shelby!" Stacie, my twin sister, whines. "Ok, almost done," I chuckle. I begin to braid my dirty blonde waist length hair, and at the end I tie a white ribbon. I peer once again in the mirror.

I have a light pink knee length skirt on, a black short sleeved shirt on, a brown belt on my waist, white stud earrings, and brown knee length boots.

I rush out the door, Stacie right behind me, and we both get crowded in the family group that is rushing out the door. I stand back and giggle at the sight, and then my brother Colton appears. "I really think this is funny, everyone is getting to the mission field an hour early, don't you think?" Colton asks me.

"Yes," I stifle a laugh.

We all pile in the car, my parents in front, Stacie, Daniel, and Sam sit in the middle, while Colton and I sit in the very back.

Pulling out the garage, my thoughts are racing as we get closer and closer to dropping off Colton.

"Colton's the only one who understands me," I say to myself. "He has always been there for me, and always has a comment to tell me." I wipe a tear from my cheek. "He has always given a helping hand to anyone, all the way to do something crazy." I laugh quietly, silent tears coming down.

Colton then looks over at me. "Hey, you okay?" I shake my head, and bury my face in my hands, tears running down fast. I then feel a hand rub my back. "Hey, hey, it's alright. I won't be gone long."

"Yes you will," I whisper, sobs making me shake.

"Shelby, just think of it as if I'm going on a nice vacation for two years. Can you think of that?" I silently nod my head.

"But, I can only email you and right letters. I won't be able to call or even text you, just emailing for an hour, and writing letters," I tell him.

There is a pause for a moment. "Shelby, I will always be there for you, even if you can't see me," Colton exclaims. Looking up through the tears, I see that Colton is looking at me seriously. "I know you will." I then throw my arms around his neck.

We finally arrive to the mission field, and we all pour out, one by one.

Missionaries are arriving too, and they walk in. Colton grabs his suitcases, a duffel bag, and a satchel, then he turns to everyone.

My little eight year old brother, Sam, is the first to Colton. He gives his big brother a hug. "I'm going to miss you," he cries, tears running own. "Sam," Colton begins, pulling them apart, crouching down. "I will always be with you. If you need something, who do you ask?" "The man upstairs," Sam exclaims. Colton has a big smile on his face.

"That's right." They hug again, then Colton walks up to my older brother Daniel, who is twenty-two, and he just got off his mission just a month ago.

They embrace. "Colton, you are going to be so happy that you made this choice." "I know Daniel. Watch out for the family, ok?" "I will." They separate, and then Colton gives hugs to everybody, then me.

I wrap my arms around him. "Colton, I don't want you to leave." "Shelby, remember what I told you, I'll always be with you."

Colton tells me a few things of what to do and not to do, and soothes me with some of my favorite lines in books we read together.

As we pulled apart, I gave him a smile, then one more hug. I then hear Colton say, "Shelby? Is Ky still living here?" "Yes," I reply. "Don't let him go, ok? I really think he's a keeper," Colton said with a little teasing tone.

We pulled apart, and gave each other another smile. "I won't let him go," I reply. Pulling me close, Colton said, "I love you, Shelby." "I love you too, Colton," I reply.

Colton then grabbed his things, met up with another missionary, and started to walk away, then turned around. "I love you everybody!" "Goodbye, Colton!" everyone shouts.

Once again, Colton turns back around, and walks into the building.