Without Her

Chapter One

I looked out the window, watching trees passing by. I pressed my forehead against the cold glass. I could see my breath on the window. I felt sick knowing where we were headed.

"Hey, kid it is going to be okay." Stan reassured me, but I could see in his eyes that it wasn't ever going to be the same.

We pulled into the parking lot of the funeral home.

No!

Grunkle Stan opened my door. "Come out kiddo." He said.

I slowly trudged behind him and some other relatives.

It was going along fine, considering what event this was, until they asked me to speak some words.

I got up to the stand, but I could not look at the crowd.

"Um, I'm not sure what to say.. But here goes." I started out. "For the past fourteen years, I could not have asked for a better sister or best friend..." I bit my tongue, feeling the tears in my eyes. "I-I-I can't believe she's gone!!"

I ran to the bathroom. I felt warm tears trailing down my pale face. "I can't do this!" I thought.

I put my head in my knees and cried silently, until I heard a knock.

"Hey, sweetie..." I heard a familiar voice.

"Do you want to come say good bye to your sister?" It was my mom.

I have never, in my life, heard that tone from her. It kind of sounded sad but mixed with something else I couldn't quite place my finger on.

I took a deep breath. "Okay, I'll be out in a minute." I said.

I stood up and looked in the mirror. Sighing, I turned the cold water on and washed my face.

In the next room was her coffin.

Her dark wood stained open coffin.

Slowly I made my way to the casket. I looked upon her pale beautiful body. I kissed her cheek. "I love you, Mabel. I just want you to know that." I whispered in her ear.