Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
***
Nancy clipped Max's hair back. "You ready?" the shorter girl shook her head, holding her necklace tightly. Nancy sighed and kissed the top of Max's head. "I know, I'm sorry."
※ Max stood in front of the mirror, playing with the hem of her dress. She was four years old and going to her grandpas funeral. Susan and Neil weren't in town this week. Billy knocked on the door softly. "You ready to go baby doll?" Max nodded as Billy grabbed her hand. "Billy?"
"Hm?"
"Where did he go?"
Billy sighed. How were you supposed to explain death to a four year old? He sat down one the bed, pulling her onto his lap. "Well, there's this place called Heaven. I like to call it paradise. You can be whoever you want there and no one can judge you for anything."
"Really?"
"Yeah!"
"Can we go now?"
"Not yet baby."
"Why not?"
"Because its reserved for good people after they die."
"Is daddy there?"
"Of course he is!"
"Do you think he remembers me?"
"Of course he does baby girl! Who could ever forget you?"
"Mommy could, she does it all the time!"
He had no idea what to say to that. "Yeah well mommy's not gonna go to paradise."
"She's not?"
"No, she isn't."
"Will you go?"
"I don't think so baby doll."
"Will I go?"
"Well that depends on you." ※
Max sat next to Mike in the car. He looked at her as she slipped her hand in his. The ginger was looking out the window the whole ride.
Nancy looked at them when they got to the cemetery. "You two ready?" Both siblings turned to Max, waiting for her answer. She turned to face them and gave them a small smile. "Yeah, I'm ready."
They walked over to the priest and their friends. Everyone hugged Max tightly. She just smiled. There was a skinny blonde woman sitting in a chair. Max frowned in confusion, walking over to her. She sat next to the women. "Hi, I'm Max. I'm sorry, I've never seen you before. Did you know Billy?"
"He was my son."
"O-oh."
"My baby boy, in a casket."
"Never thought you would out-live him huh?"
The blonde smiled sadly. "I didn't."
Max nodded, looking at the open casket. "He was the best brother I could ever ask for."
"Your Susan's kid?"
"Yeah. How'd you know her name?"
"Oh, she talks very highly of you."
Max let out a soft laugh. The blonde turned to her. "What's so funny?"
She looked at Billy's mom. "She's been dead for years now. She-"
"Max!" The ginger looked up to see her best friend walking over to them. "What're you doing over here?" El asked, a small smile present on her lips. Max turned to the blonde once again. "This is El, Billy sa-"
"Max? Who are you talking to?"
She looked up again. "What?"
"There's no one there? Who're you talking too?"
"Billy's mom?"
El made a confused face. "Max, Billy's mom died last year?"
"What? No she didn't she's ri-"
Max turned her head again to see no one there. El held her hand lovingly, "hey. I understand, it's a sad day. Why don't we just get this over with and go home? We can watch whatever you want. We could even have a sleepover if you'd like?" The ginger smiled tightly, standing up. "Yeah, I'd like that."
