The Parker Boys

Chapter 24

Chapter 24

**Flashback**

"Mommy! Mommy! Look what I made!" I ran up to my mother with my newly drawn picture I made in art class that day.

My mother had a big smile on her face as she looked it over, "Oh Katherine it's beautiful" she looked at me with so much love and my eyes reflected it.

I jumped into her lap and started to describe the picture to her even though she already knew what it was. She never once interrupted me and listened to every word I said. 

I heard the front door open and I squealed in joy, "Daddy your home!!' I ran into his awaiting arms and was lifted into the air. I laughed and said, "Daddy look what I made" 

He looked down to the drawing of my family inside a heart and smiled down at me, "It's beautiful sweetheart." He said to me with pride in his eyes and just as much love. 

He then walked over to mommy and gave her a kiss after he sat down and I began telling him all about the picture just like I did for mommy. And just like mommy he listened to every single word.

That was the last day I ever spent with my mother.

**End of Flashback**

I open my eyes and everything is white. It's so bright that I have to constantly keep opening and closing my eyes to adjust to the light. I look around when I'm able to have my eyes adjusted and all I see is white. 

I hear a faint sound and I spin around aware that Im in my favorite T-shirt and jeans. I start to wonder where I am the last I knew I was unconscious at the hospital. This place looks nothing like a hospital and I don't feel any pain from my previous injuries.

I hear the noise again and I face that direction and I notice a woman walking towards me. I faintly recognize, she has a small frame and a bundle of brown wavy hair. As she gets closer I notice her eyes are a shade of green. I gasp in shock and take a step back, this woman looks exactly like me but older.

I choke on a cry and run into her awaiting arms, "Mommy!" I hug her tightly afraid that at any moment that she may disappear. I'm shocked to find myself holding onto the solid form of my mother.

"Katherine" her voice is soft and musical just like I remembered it to be. I cry softly into her shoulder missing the feeling of safety and warmth inside her protective arms. "Oh, how I've missed you sweetheart." 

"I've missed you so much mom" I choke out quietly. She gently puts me at arms length and looks over me with a slight frown. 

Then she smiles at me broadly, "You are so beautiful honey. You look just like me, you've grown so much."

I look at her and realize how much I needed a mother figure in my life and how I never had one. I frown realizing that she died when I was so young, and yet I see her now. What does that make me? 

Noticing the frown on my face concern fills my mother's eyes, "What's wrong sweetheart?" she asks me gently.

"Am I...Am I dead?" I ask slightly frightened by my revelation.

My mother looks at me with uncertainty. She then decides to aproach the topic lightly, "No, no your not. Didn't you hear the doctors? This is all up to you Katherine, you get to decide." 

I frown as I think about this, I just found my mother. She's standing right in front of me, do I really want to let that go? "I can't leave you" I whisper to her. 

My mother gives me a small smile, "You won't sweety, I'll always be right with you. I always have been."

"I want to stay with you." I say with determination, but my heart drops slightly. What about the Parkers? What will happen to them? "but I can't" I say with even more determination.

Unexpectedly my mother smiles at me, I expected her to be upsetr or unhappy but she doesn't. "I'm proud of you honey. I'm so proud of, I'm happy to see the woman you have grown into. Just remember I'll always be right there with you, and one more thing. It wasn't you fault"

After that all I saw was white.

*************

My eyes fly open as I'm gasping for air, there are doctors with stress filled faces surrounding me. I feel the pain erupt in my chest and my sides as I struggle to move. I notice tear stained faces of the Parker family who are being pushed out of my hospital room.

"Ma'am, please you must stay still. Your body has been through alot lately and it needs rest." the doctor speaks to me gently.

I let my body relax and the pain lessens. "When will I get to see my family" I ask hoarsly due to lack of use and hydration.

"Get some rest, I'll send them in once you have woken up. We're glad to see you awake, Ms. Parker." I don't bother correcting him because honestly, I feel like I am a Parker. Lisa would be proud.

I close my eyes and drift off to sleep as the doctor leaves. No longer being afraid of what the darkness holds.