Joshua. Where are you and what are you doing? I miss you. Grace looked out the open window into the dark, night sky. The world is such a big place, where exactly could you be? She wondered to herself whilst peering at the stars hanging like bright jewels in the light-ridden atmosphere.
“Grace, are you still up? It’s already ten thirty, you should go to sleep!” Her mother yelled through the door, knocking lightly to get her attention.
Grace sighed, “Alright, mom. Goodnight.” She pulled herself away from the window sill and dragged her weight to the bed before plopping herself lazily into the soft mattress.
*****
BEEP BEEP BEEP! BEEP BEEP BEEP! Grace smashed the snooze button on her alarm clock, irked with the same annoying sound that woke her up every weekday. She found herself dozing off when suddenly: “Are you awake?! You’re late for school, Grace!” Her mother frantically shouted as she opened her bedroom door.
She shook Grace awake but when her daughter turned around to face her, she gasped, clutching her chest. “Oh my goodness!” Her mother yelped out in shock. Once she finally calmed down she joked, “You’d think by now I would’ve gotten used to it.”
Mrs.Weiber analyzed her daughter’s face from her foreheadto her chin and finally shook her head in response. “It’s that time of year isn’t it? Don’t worry about it honey, I’ll take care of everything okay?” Grace’s mother said reassuringly with confidence in herself.
Just as Mrs.Weiber was about to walk out the door Grace weakly commented, “Just bring Joshua back.” She croaked, her voice hoarse.
Her mother’s face broke into a sad frown, “Oh honey, you know I can’t do that.” She rushed back to her daughter’s side and pressed Grace’s head against her chest. “The only thing I can’t do is bring Joshua back,” She whispered. “I’m sorry, dear.” Mrs. Weiber rocked back and forth, trying her best to calm her broken-hearted daughter down.
Grace lightly pushed her mom away, “I’m going to school. I’ll be downstairs in five, okay?” Her mother gave her a worried look but decided to hold back and just gave her a nod as she walked out the room.
“Bye honey and if you need to come home early, just give me a call, alright?” Mrs.Weiber smiled sympathetically at Grace while she got out of the red Toyota Camry in silence. Grace gave a quick wave at her mother before parting with her. She dragged her feet along the concrete, taking her time to the walk to the office.
Grace saw two couples kissing just outside the school, probably skipping classes. She looked down at the floor. Joshua. She immediately thought, but sighed with no hope since he was all the way in the United Kingdom. Grace had no way to contact him and she hasn’t seen him in four years. And for the four years, her birthday wishes were all the same, I wish Joshua could come back.I wish Joshua would come back...
They never came true even though she wished for it for all these years; wishes never come true. Grace prayed and hoped that it would come true year after year but it didn’t change a thing. Everything remained the same as they were when Joshua left.
“What do you need help with, Miss? Excuse me... Miss?” The young woman working at the office tried to catch Grace’s attention while she just stood there amidst in her thoughts.
“I’m sorry... Could I get a late slip?” Grace forced a sheepish smile out of herself.
“What’s your name?”
“Grace Weiber, I’m a sophomore by the way.” She said before the receptionist could ask.
“Alright,” Grace watched the young woman scribble furiously on the tiny square sheet of pink paper. “Here you go.” She held the piece of paper to give to Grace.
