Midnight Vines

Pain and Mystery

The air rustled through the leaves of a nearby tree. The leaves were just starting to turn to the classic orange and yellows that marked the coming of fall. The air had a bite of frost to come.

I sat on the porch of my apartment looking out into the park where kids could be seen running around without a care in the world. The view typically felt so endearing and peaceful but now it seemed dull and depressing.

My grandmother was gone. No, I don't mean on vacation. Her bedroom sits empty now, all of her stuff untouched behind a door that I couldn't bring myself to open.

She was the coolest person you could've ever known. She was supportive but strong willed. She wouldn't stand for someone pretending to be something they weren't and she wasn't afraid to show her quirks.

She had an intense connection to nature, hence the placement or our apartment being so close to the park. It was the only place in this big city that felt like you weren't in a land of cold, dead steel.

I sighed and turned away from the view, heading back into the apartment that no longer felt like home. As I shut and locked the door to the porch the phone rang, shattering the silence.

I let it ring. I was in no mood to talk to anyone today. I reached under the sink for the watering can grandma left behind and filled it. As I watered the plants a voice came on the answering machine.

"Ailani, please... I know you are there. You don't have to do this alone." There was a small silence and then a sigh could be heard on the other end. "You knew mom best. We are planning her funeral and I know she would want your help."  I looked at the ground, tears starting to fill my eyes as the wall of denial began to crumble. I wanted to reach out and grab the phone but my body wouldn't listen.

I crashed to the floor and my mother's voice continued. "Please call me back sweetheart. I know we weren't as close as we should've been these last few months but I love you. Regardless of what u choose we will be there tomorrow morning to discuss her will. See you soon" The silence resumed and I stared at the floor, feeling more alone then I ever had.

A small voice whispered in the back of my mind. "Sky, come here." The voice sounded like my grandmother, even using my nickname. I moved over to the room where she used to sleep and rested my hand on the doorknob, mustering all my courage and strength and opened it for the first time in two weeks.

The room still smelled like her. Lavender and sage filled the room making me feel calmer and safer.There sitting on the bed was a box and a note with my name on it. I glanced around, curiosity and confusion filling my mind.

I sat down on the bed and held the envelope in my hands. It was light so surely it wasn't a long message.

Who could have left this here? Only I have been in the apartment and this is the first time I've been in here since she died. Does that mean she knew something bad was about to happen?

Tentatively I flipped over the letter. It was sealed with a cherry blossom wax seal. More formal than grandma typically was so this message was serious.

I hesitated, terrified of what I would find. This was the last message my grandma would ever give me. I took a deep breath, letting the lavender sooth me more.

Then opened the envelope.