Chapter 2 – The Last Goodbye
I felt tears forming in my eyes. I felt my throat constrict, becoming tighter and tighter. I started gasping for air. When I finally opened my eyes I saw the email staring back at me. I quickly signed out, seeing as I couldn't read on. This was too much like a dream and a nightmare rolled in one to me. I loved how Cindy was thoughtful enough to write me an email before she... left this earth. I shut down my computer as I leaned on the back of my chair. I closed my eyes slowly, tired from the world. Just then, my dad called out to me.
"We're going to go out for Chinese food. Do you want to come?"
"Sure, it might get my mind off of things a little." I muttered as I walked down the stairs. I passed my oldest brother Anthony as he set down his acoustic guitar and went over to hug me. I started to cry. I cried and cried into his chest as I remembered the email that Cindy had sent. The way she wrote it was so... her. I missed her already.
I don't remember how I left the hotel or what dinner tasted like. I was there but in reality my mind and soul had disappeared and my body was left as a hollow shell. When Cindy left, she basically took everything that made me who I am. My smile, my hope and my dreams – well everything. One moment I was there at the restaurant and then the next thing I knew I was laying down on my bed staring blankly at the ceiling.
"What are you staring at?" Alyssa asked.
I shivered at the sudden flashback that took over me. Cold sweat started to form on my back and forehead.
******
"What are you staring at?" Cindy asked me. We were on the swings. I turned to face her as I felt the tears bubbling in my eyes but I still managed to keep a small smile on my face.
"Oh nothing, I was just thinking; what will happen after I leave for Canada?"
"Don't worry about it. We will always be friends. We can always call each other, email each other, or chat on messenger." My smile broadened instantly, as I looked at Cindy, hopefully.
"Yeah I know, but what if something happens after I leave? Then, will we still be friends?" I asked, as some of my newly found confidence faded quickly away, just as fast as it came.
"Of course we will always be friends. Let's promise to each other that no matter what happens. We will always be friends."
We pinky-promised.
******
"What kind of sick, twisted fate is this?" I muttered. "I know it's not possible but I keep thinking that if I didn't say that in the past, this probably would never have happened." I’d said so many things I regret in the past, but now I wish I could take them all back. With a disgusted feeling still inside of me, I decided to go to sleep early and try to forget everything.
That night while I was sleeping, I had this weird, yet creepy, dream. It was about Cindy, and was a dream no one could ever imagine. In this, Cindy was whispering something to me, but the whole thing was a blur. I could hear her muttering a few words, the words seemed odd. They weren't kind words that a best friend would whisper to you, they were... different words. I remember Cindy talking to me but after that the rest was nothing. I woke up with a cold sweat dripping down my pale face. I realized that it was already 11:30 am. I went to the hotel room next door to mine. That’s where my parents and other siblings were staying. They were sitting on the couch watching TV. My mom looked at me and totally freaked out.
"Amanda! What happened!?!?!" She demanded.
"I'm not really sure. I just had this really weird dream. It was about Cindy."
"Oh that must have been terrible. Just try and forget the dream." My mum wrapped her arm around me.
"I'll try."
I walked slowly back to my room avoiding the concerned stares I could feel on my back from my family. Who would have thought that this day would come? I couldn’t get the dream out of my head and so far, I was not looking forward to going back home. I looked down and saw the friendship bracelet Cindy and I had made 2 years ago when she was first diagnosed with heart cancer. I picked it up and held it close. All of the memories of our friendship came flooding back. That night, before we went to the airport we made one final stop to the graveyard Cindy's grave was in. I went alone, picking up a fresh bundle of flowers. I laid the flowers down, along with a note attached to them.
Cindy,
I will always remember you in my heart. I hold you close and I know I will see you in the future. And now is the time for the last goodbye you'll hear from me until I see you in heaven.
Love your dearest friend
Amanda Neely
As I placed the note and the flowers down, two lonely tears slid down my face. I was hesitant to leave but I knew I had to go, so I said one final goodbye and left.
