Diana Hargrove has gone through enough tragedy for three lifetimes, yet she still has an affirming smile on her face. She's lived and travelled all over the world, but the last straw that broke the camel's back, brought her back to her hometown, Cre...
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𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘦 | 𝘨𝘰𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬
I decided to skip Saturday completely. I stayed in bed the entire day sleeping. Thinking. Doing nothing. When I was awake, I was doing some drawings in one of my sketchbooks.
The town of Crescent Heights missed my presence for seven years, my grand entrance into town could wait another day.
Sunday's mean hockey practice. I wanted to go watch the hockey practice for two specific reasons.
One: I want to see Jayden playing hockey.
Two: My dad used to be the hockey coach.
I haven't been able to watch hockey since the last time I was in Crescent Heights.
The October air was getting colder, and I couldn't wait for winter. The bright orange and red colors around town needed to leave. I wanted snow. There's nothing better than Vermont during the winter.
Muscle memory didn't kick in to help me find the outdoor ice rink in town. I haven't been there since I was stuck sitting in the back seat of my dad's truck.
Walking didn't help. Nonna and my mom went shopping today, and my mom accidentally took the spare car keys. I was left without a car. Not that I could legally drive it. Yet. Plus, it's cold. Being on the ice is even colder. Thankfully, I live my life in baggy long sleeve shirts, sweatshirts, and knit sweaters. I'm always prepared for the cold.
The team was skating around for practice, and I didn't want to disrupt them. I hid off to the side by the penalty box.
"You following me, Speedy?" Jayden asked, stopping on the edge of his skates next to me.
Ninja! I'm telling you, Jayden Russo is a ninja. A true Donatello.
"In your dreams, Russo," I grinned. "I haven't seen Crescent Heights hockey in a while."
"Well, since you're here, how about a race?" Jayden suggested.
"You're in the middle of practice. Plus, I haven't been on skates in years," I said.
Jayden skated off to resume his practice. I didn't want the coach to notice me, because he was good friends with my dad.
I've never been good at accepting condolences from other people. Dealing with a loss is traumatizing by itself, but listening to people tell me their sorry for my loss makes my blood boil. I don't want their apologies. I want my family back. Mom and I don't want their pity. The loss of dad struck the entire town. Everyone feels the loss of my dad, but in a different way than mom and I feel it.
I gave up being in denial about my dad's death when he first passed away. The cycle of grief doesn't account for a heartbroken mother on the verge of wanting to join her husband in the afterlife.
