Didn't Stand a Chance

1. Annabelle

I finally had a chance to breathe.  After working all day then taking care of my two younger twin brothers, Grayson and Karson, I was ready for bed. 

I flopped onto the couch wanting to take a short rest before I had to finish the load of laundry that held my brother's football gear that they will need tomorrow for practice. As I was sitting there, thinking of everything I had to do, my cellphone rang. I looked down and saw it was a FaceTime from my best friend, Layla.

"Hey Lay!" I said as I answered.  You could tell she was outside, she probably just finished her nightly run.   I was always jealous of her athletic ability. While she excels at pretty much anything requiring physical activity, I got winded after walking too fast. I wasn't fat, per se, but I did have curves and wasn't a twig.

"Annabelle! How are you doing? We haven't spoken to each other in forever!"

"Layla, we talked two days ago and I saw you this past weekend, it hasn't been that long!"

"It feels like forever! You know I miss you."

"I miss you too," I responded. "I am hanging I there. This week the boys started football practice, so I am figuring out how to get them to practice while also getting to my job."

"You know you can always call me if you need anything, right?"

"I know, but one the twins's friend's parents have been able to take them after practice until I get off work, so that has been a huge help."

"I am glad you have the help," she said.  Send me their football schedule and will come with you to their games and explain football to you."

"Hey! I know football!" I replied indignantly.

"Sweetie, no you don't. Just last week you asked what a quarterback does"

She is right, but I won't admit that. "Fine, I'll send you the schedule." I hear the washing machine beep indicating that the cycle is finished. "Layla, I got to go, the laundry just finished then I am going to bed. I will talk to you later?"

"Sure thing! Have a good night and I'll talk to later." She hangs up and I make my way to laundry room to move the items to dryer. Layla and I met I college and we just clicked she was always the outgoing one while I was the quiet, thoughtful one. She was my biggest supporter when my parents passed and moved to Kansas City to be closer to me when I had to return home.

My life changed eighteen months ago when my parents passed away in a car crash. A drunk driver hit them head-on while they were in their way home from their monthly date night.

My parents, Jack and Elise Brown, have always made sure that they had regular dates. I have never seen two people more in love. Of course they fought some, sometimes over the dumbest things, but they never stayed mad at each other for long. They are the reason why I, 24 years old, have super high standards and am still single. Well my high standards, and the fact that I am now the legal guardian of 2 fourteen year olds.  After my parents had me they had trouble conceiving again. They had finally excepted that I would be an only child, when they received the good news. It was a shock for 10 year-old me when I learned that there would be two babies. I was obviously hoping for sisters, that way I could dress them up in all of my old dress up  costumes and read my princess books to them.  Let's just say that when I first saw my brothers at the hospital, I was not impressed. I might have even refused to hold them the first day.  I eventually came around and figured out that can still all do fun stuff I had planned with my brothers as well.  When they eventually get girlfriends, I have some photo albums that will definitely be shared.

I try to only show a happy face around the boys, but they know there are days that I can barely hold it together. My parents were not rich by any means, but they were not poor either. The cars they left behind were paid off, but there is still some money owed on the house. I think I will have the 3-bedroom house paid off in the next couple of years.

Whenever I think about my parents, I usually tear up. They always knew what to do and it stinks that I can't call them up whenever I have questions, or a good, or even a bad day just to talk.

I lean against the dryer after I finished moving the closes and wipe the tears from my eyes. I keep telling myself that I am done crying. I know that grief has its own timeline and I will forever miss them, but I thought I have accepted my new normal.

I wipe my face stand up straight and decide to go to bed. I know tomorrow is going to be a busy day. I have to drop Grayson and Karson off at morning conditioning. I know they are excited for their first year of high school football, so I will get them to all of the activities so they don't miss out on anything.