The life we live here

Chapter 12: Face the music

The day had dawned and everyone was extra busy preparing. From the early morning hours, laughter and chatter could be heard downstairs. In the beginning when they started the commemoration dinners, the mood was very sombre and no one dared to speak. Until the uncles sat them all down and discussed the reason for honoring the ones who passed away, it was not to recall the loss of them, but to celebrate their life and all the good things they stood for. The kids didn't fully understand back then, but since then uncle Richard and Evan have changed the tone of the dinners to make it more lively. Upbeat music would be playing in the background, whilst they prepared everything and it kept the mood up as well.

Skyla had been tossing and turning all night thinking about today. It bothered her the most that the paranormal encounters suddenly just stopped abruptly. Trying to make sense of it all, she would secretly research until the early morning hours, but had no luck or explanation and it drove her crazy. She used to share her findings with the others, but since she noticed how anxious they got after giving feedback she stopped. Skyla, herself was someone who hated uncertainty that's why she needed  facts to back up her logic, but she knew someone who secretly hated uncertainty more...Paige. Since they were kids, Paige held a lot of things to herself, even if it really frustrated her or stressed her out. Paige would always try  to solve things on her own, instead of asking for help, they would joke about how she loved suffering alone, but she would just go on. Her creativity made her try and look at problems in various ways and try to solve them, but they always wished that she could ask for help more or atleast once in a while.

As Skyla got out of bed with dark circles under her eyes, she washed up and got dressed. Using some concealer, she tried to cover up the bags under her eyes. Knowing how important today was for everyone, she thought she would not bring up the encounters today, unless they experienced it firsthand. Seeing everyone already in full swing with their tasks, she grabbed some fruit to eat then joined in on the work. By the afternoon, most of the things were ready and everyone started taking turns going to wash up and change. They would always go to the cemetery together as a family to place fresh flowers on the graves , then return home and have dinner together, followed by a movie. 

Walking behind the pack to the graveside, Ten held Paige's hand tightly. Parker and Skyla were on either side of them, not saying much most  of the morning. As much as Ten was daring and outgoing, she was also quite outspoken and would openly share with her family especially when she was afraid of something. So, she told the group in advance when they arrived at the cemetery that she was feeling quite anxious and needed to hold onto someone to feel more secure.  

"Anyone have any encounters since last night until now?" Ten whispered.

"No, I haven't" Skyla replied.

Paige and Parker shook their heads as well to say they have not either.

"Hmmm..." Ten said disappointed.

"Just relax and take it easy" Paige suggested.

Being at the graveside with everyone was always such an emotional occasion, as the uncles would always start things off by sharing updates of everyone's life with their parents and asking them to keep an eye on them wherever they go. The kids used to find it amusing when their uncles spoke to the tombstones like they were living, but the older they got the more they understood the significance behind it. The older kids usually joined in with the talks, but Skyla, Paige, Ten and Parker still felt a bit shy to do it with everyone around. They would just murmur a few words out of peer pressure, but that was it. Paige would always get emotional, but always denied it and blamed it on allergies tearing up her eyes. She would leave the graveside always first and take a stroll back to the garden at the entrance. It felt unfair to her sometimes that she had to lose both her parents at the same time and at such an early age. There was so many things that were left unsaid, unasked or moments in her life in which she really needed her parents guidance. Paige was always grateful to her family for taking them in and raising them as their own, but she really wanted her own parents on some days to just talk to or be in their presence. Those thoughts swirled in her head as she left the graveside with  tears falling down her cheeks. It had been ten years, but the pain still felt the same...

Sitting on the bench in the garden she sobbed silently, her heart aching intensely with longing. Penelope and Parker joined her on the bench and held her tightly, understanding her tears. 

"It's okay Paige, let it out" Penelope comforted.

Parker took out his handkerchief and placed it in Paige's hands, she held onto his hand tightly and he placed his head on her shoulder. It felt soothing to be consoled by her siblings, as she felt like they understood her pain the most. They sat on the bench in silence and just leaned on one another.

"We're heading back, if you want to stay a bit longer you can take the car" Trent suggested politely.

Penelope agreed and took the keys from him and ushered Paige to remain seated.

"No, it's okay we can leave too ' she said wiping her tears away.

" A few minutes won't harm anyone, so sit down" Penelope said.

Everyone left and the siblings sat in the garden taking in the peacefulness of the place.

"Paige, it's okay to be vulnerable and cry infront of the others. We won't think less of you or mock you.. Sometimes there are emotions or things we hold onto so tightly that its hard to express ourselves regarding those things. But, also sometimes not letting it out is like denying your true feelings and not facing the music of things head on. Later on, it becomes a mountain of emotional baggage that you're dragging around that will eventually make you tired. Let some of it go..."

Looking down at her hands and the tears falling down into them, Paige did not know how to respond to her sister, but she knew she was right.

"I am tired. Emotionally, I feel like I'm stuck..."

Before being able to explain further Paige broke down in tears. Penelope held her tightly and soothed her by rubbing her back. Parker took the handkerchief and wiped the tears from her cheeks, Paige pulled him closer and he obediently placed his head on her shoulder. They all cried together for a short while then laughed it off together before heading back.

Arriving at the house, everyone was setting up the table for dinner. Ten ran over and hugged Paige tightly as she came in the door. As they sat down for dinner, uncle Evan made a speech and also thanked everyone for making the effort to be there. Trent, Serena and Penelope also shared a few words and then they started having dinner. Everything went well and after dinner they all gathered in the living room to watch the movie. Ten chose the movie, but was the first one passed out on Trent's lap. When everything finished, everyone was ready for bed. Skyla, Paige and Parker cleaned up, while the others got ready to turn in.

"So, I guess we panicked for nothing. There was no encounters or anything strange that happened today" Paige said.

"Yeah, I guess we were all quite tense before this and was a bit disillusioned" Skyla lied, as she knew Paige had quite an emotional day.

Parker said nothing and just cleaned silently, he was carrying his own secrets and it bothered him quite a bit. He just nodded in agreement with a shy smile when he got to the kitchen where they were cleaning.

"I'll turn in now too" he said then went upstairs.

He murmured goodnight then went upstairs.

"Parker seems a bit odd..more quieter than his usual self. Do you think he had an encounter and doesn't want to share?! I'll go ask" Paige was ready to head after him,but Skyla stopped her.

"Ask him tomorrow, it's been a long emotional day for him too. You know we all grieve differently, so just let him rest first. Even if he did have an encounter now isn't the time to interrogate him. Tomorrow's another day.." Skyla assured her.

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Hello Readers :)

Thank you for the support and reads on this book.

My sincere apologies for the inconsistency of the updates on chapters. Due to health reasons, I had to be on rest for a while. I'll promise to do better as  a writer in future!

Hope this story helps those who lost loved ones and sometimes we tend to find it hard accept or let go no matter when the loss occurred. Know that I feel your pain and I am in your corner rooting for you too. This book is like personal therapy to me and feels good to share with others.

Life goes on, but let us always remember the good over the bad. Even if you're not doing well today, tomorrow's another day #hwaiting :D