You'd think after two years I would be able to get over my mother's death, but I was still going through the depression.
It wasn't easy hiding the depression.
"Austin, is there something wrong? You don't seem to be yourself. "
I was at the Tal's home. Sahara, the wife of the home, had noticed that I wasn't in the best mood.
"Ma'am , have you ever lost someone dear to you?"
"Oh, Austin, you're still grieving over your mother's death."
She said it, she flat out said it. Sadly she was right. That's when I felt it. Something warm ran down my cheek. No, it couldn't be, I was crying. I had stayed strong for too long and finally reached the breaking point. I let my hair fall on my face hiding my eyes. I couldn't let her see me like this.
"I'm sorry Sahara. I should be going. Tell the kids I say 'hi'."
"Before you leave, did you hear about what the government above is doing?"
I gave her a look of confusion. What news would they have that concerned us?
"They are going to let a child from here go up. I think that if they sent the right one up that they may change their mind. I believe that you should try to be the one to go up. You could be the one to give them a change of heart."
I stared back at her for a while. How could the government want one of us to come up? Who knew what they were going to do to us up there.
"I will think about it, but if I do do it it wouldn't be for me. It'll be for all of you down here. "
"There you go. Thinking of others just like your mother would."
I laughed a little. That's exactly what mother would do. She always did what was best for others. She never once put her needs before someone else's.
Sahara smiled at me as I turned to walk out the door. Then I stopped.
" Would it be okay if I gave you a hug? You can say no. "
I felt like a child but it didn't matter. She smiled and opened her arms to me. I ran into her arms and began to cry again. Sahara reached up to my head and patted down some of my stray hairs.
"Your mother would be so proud of you. You are an amazing kid, Austin. "
I smiled. It had been so long since I had felt the warm embrace of another. I missed this feeling.
'Mom Im doing this for you because I know this is what you would do for me. It's my time to pay you back. I still miss you but it's time for me to move on in my life. I will forever love you. '
