Saying Goodbye

1: Sparkling Ideas

I knock on the door of my apartment number 467. I hear shouting from inside, and I wonder what it is. The door paint was chipping, and the door mat was torn apart from my dog's claws. My dog, Chester, is always trying to claw or bite at something. The pillows inside our apartment we're ripped in two a few weeks ago. My mom barely had enough money to get a new couch the year before, and just trashed the pillows, too lazy to go out and buy new ones.

Suddenly, the door swung open, and it was my dad. For the past few weeks, he'd be on all day and up late at night, trying to find a new job. I just felt so torn apart. My family couldn't afford to eat out every day, either. 4 years ago, my parents had sold out our old house, and went to live in an apartment, which was closer to our school, anyways. Ever since my dad lost his job, we had been in serous debt.

Oh, and I completely forgot to introduce myself. I'm Ellie. I like to consider myself an absolute drawer, almost like I am precise with everything. I'm 15 years old, and ever since I was 4, I've been drawing and doodling. Maybe not so good drawings, But I've improved tons.

"Honey! Come in." He'd say, taking my back pack and setting on the rack. "Thanks, Dad." I'd say, looking around to see that dad had out his laptop on the table, which had been there all day. "There's crackers on the table if you get hungry." Dad would gesture to the bag of crackers.

We had been in debt so bad, that we couldn't afford to eat a full meal at nights. Instead, we'd eat crackers. I'd grab the bag of crackers, and I'd go to sit down on the couch. The couch was comfy, and plushy. It would always feel that way. We also had to sell our T.V., which by the way was really small anyways, and nobody ever use it. Considering that crackers were the only thing what we were able to eat at the moment, I was starting to look anorexic considering the lack of nutrients, but not too much. I still felt really healthy.

I'd sigh. "Dad, when does mom get home from picking up Luke?" I'd ask. "She'll be back in about 10 minutes. You'll be fine. They're on their way." Daddy would say, looking at me, smiling. I hope. I'd think. Mom isn't usually this late. I'd look back at dad, to see him stressed out, sitting, slouching over the computer. I'd hear constant clicking. I'd look back to the miniature screen, watching some old cartoon that I used to love when I was five.

Suddenly, I'd start to hear sirens outside. I'd see bright blue and red flashing lights. Chester would whimper at the blinding, colorful, lights outside. I jumped out of my seat, the same as my dad, and we both ran for the door, slamming it open. Chester followed. I'd look back to Chester.

"Chester! stay inside." I'd say. Chester Whimpered, sitting down next to the torn couch. "Good boy. I'll be back in a second." I'd turn back towards the door, opening it. Outside were police cars flooding our driveway. A police officer stood in our doorway.

"Sir, there has been an accident, and your wife and son are injured. Your wife, a broken left leg, and your son, just a minor injury to his right arm. I am so sorry." the officer would say. "Oh, sorry I forgot to say, the name's John." My dad was in shock as he said

"I have to see them!" He'd push around the officer, and run toward the Emergency van, carrying my mother to it. I'd race after my father, watching them take my mom into the van. Then, I saw Luke. They had taken him into a different van, but it was already taking off. "WAIT!" My father would shout as he jumped into the van last second, hauling me into it as well with one hand. I'd look around the small truck to see my mother.

"MOM!" I would whine. When I looked into her eyes, I saw sadness. Suddenly, I realized why she was so sad. We both knew now. I turn my head to my father, seeing it in his eyes. We all knew, we weren't going to be able to afford the injuries of my mother's broken leg and my brother's hurt arm. I wanted to just fall to the ground crying, holding tight to my parents, but I knew I couldn't.