A Pieceful family

The Weight of Thoughts

I was about to run into our home but realized the surroundings is different. This is not our home where Sam had brought us. Our home is not in such a crowded place, it was isolated. But this place was in between a busy road and there were many houses surrounding it. every house was built up of the same pattern but the colors differed. "Where are we, Sam?". Just then two women', one would be in her late 30's, and the other seemed to be Sam's age. OH WAIT. It is Sharon Jones, Sam's friend. So are we in front of their house?

"Oh! please come in children" said Mrs. Jones leading us towards her house. I don't know why are we here and not at our home. I pulled Sam to a side and asked her about the same and she replied " Listen Kat our home is being investigated so there's no way we can stay over there, but also we do need a home so this is the best place I can think of. Come on don't make that face we would not be here forever. Let me find a stable job and till then you too will recover."
"Sam, you have not graduated yet, so why planning for a job?"
"We also didn't plan for any of this to happen, but it did. This is life. I would look for a part-time job. Now let the elders worry, you just trust me."

I did feel sad for her, but we didn't have many options. I too wanted to help her but I was a minor so there won't be any job for me. It was decided that until Sam earns we would be using our parent's savings for all the expenses and also our school fees. "Come on girls you must be hungry now" Mrs. Jones called us downstairs. I was in no mood to socialize so I said Sam I am not hungry. But she said "I know Kat you don't like Sharon but we don't have many options, you know about our relatives everyone's selfish. Don't be angry about food and also staying here would help you to recover soon cause Mrs. Jones would always be by your side and can assist you if there is any medical emergency."
"I have already recovered and don't make me feel like a sick person"
"Ahha so let's see who reaches downstairs towards the table first." and she started running downstairs " If you lose here I am going to call you a loser your entire life."
"Sam you began before me, you are a cheater. Sam wait...." I started enjoying it. After a long time, I laughed my heart out. I didn't know Sam was such a fun person to be around. We sat together and started our lunch. It is so silent here which makes me miss our home.

6 years Ago

I was in my 5th grade and had a lot to study so it was getting hard to have dinner together with my family. They would have already finished the dinner and go to sleep then at late night I would tiptoe into the kitchen to grab anything. This schoolwork kept me so busy that I didn't have much time to speak to any of them, I was growing distant towards them. One day as I finished my work and had a look at the clock it was 11.30 pm and I did the thing I always do. Tiptoed into the kitchen, but unlike every day there were talks in the dining room. I was surprised to see everyone waiting for me over there.
Sarah said," Oh did you finish your work my little champ?"
Johan said, "Come join us let's get started with the dinner. I can't keep the food which Sarah cooked waiting".
Sam said "I was forced to wait so long because of you... Come join or else I am gonna eat all of your roasted potato"
I ran towards her and saved all my roasted potatoes cause they were my absolute favourite. I was overjoyed so I asked," You guys waited?"
Sarah responded, "Family who eats together, stays together ...so we had to".
We all chatted a lot. Except for Sam's cause, she is a reserved person and she doesn't share much.

After that incident, we never failed to eat our lunches together no matter how busy we were. It was my favourite part of the day. We as a family used to talk about our day.

Present

I am missing Sarah. She is the one who used to tie our family together. It's getting hard for me to swallow this roasted meat on my spoon. Someone places their palm on my hand. I almost thought it to be Sarah, it was Sam. She noticed my sadness and was trying to calm me down and also to make me understand that she was there for me. That helped me finish my lunch. We had to share a room with Sharon. I can't remember why but I don't like this girl. She stares weirdly at me. Every time I force my brain what I hate about her it gives the exact pain when I try to recall that disastrous night, which left our peaceful family to pieces. I am so tired of this headache. I am not Harry Potter with some Voldemort near me.

I went to bed to sleep even though it was still afternoon. It is getting harder to fall asleep. I didn't give much thought to Sharon cause, Sam used to use her name to threaten me all my childhood which might have resulted in me to hate her.

"Mom!!!! MOOOOMMMMMMM"
"Stop screaming you DUMB GIRL"
I woke up and saw Sam making faces at me. " I guess who is screaming now". I murmured. I had the same dream of my mom in the garden, it is haunting me now. It's becoming a nightmare...um...daymare, cause it is still evening
Sam said, " Also you are not on vacation so you do have school tomorrow. I and Sharon fetched all your school supplies".
Ohh great I did forget about my school. I have to meet Dad too, but Sam won't allow me. She has already assumed Dad to be the culprit, and then I have to do it all alone. I made plans that when my school ends that is 1 pm I would travel to our home which may help me recall the incidents of the night and then at 3 pm, inspector Rose asked us to be in the station. After answering their questions I would ask them to let me meet Johan. Such a perfect plan, totally proud of myself. I hope everything goes according to this. but Sam's words started playing in my mind 'Life doesn't go according to plans'.