So Many Reasons

16;

I knew something was wrong the second I walked into my house Saturday evening.

Melanie wasn't texting like crazy on the couch, jelly wasn't sleeping in the corner, and mom and dad were at the table with their hands intertwined.

"Mom? Dad? What's going on?" I asked, walking into the kitchen. Mom looked like she would burst into tears at any moment and the fear rushing through me  was almost suffocating.

"Your grandpa passed away this morning." Dad said, squeezing moms hands tightly. Moms sob broke loose and she held her face in one of her hands.

My body went numb.

"No..." I started. "You're lying." I stood up, fiercely wiping away tears.

"Sweetie it's true." Mom whispered, her voice breaking. She shook her head and stood up, walking out of the room. Dad got up to follow her but I held up my hand, tears pouring from my face.

"I'll go." I said, following mom and walking into her bedroom. Mom was laying face down on her bed, sobbing quietly.

"Mama." I said, my voice cracking. She sat up and I ran to hug her. She hugged me tightly as more sobs shook through her.

"Oh baby." She said, petting my hair like she used to when I was younger.

"We'll get through this, mama." I whispered. "I promise." I squeezed her hand tightly and pulled away. "Have you told Melanie?" She nodded and sniffled. I stood up and kissed her forehead. "I'm gonna go check on her." Mom nodded once more and I left, allowing dad to walk in after me.

I walked into Melanie's room where her and jelly were laying on her bed. She was shedding silent tears that I could see but not hear.

I slowly walked to her bed and lay down beside her. My sister is my other half; she always has been. When we were younger we always laid together when we were upset. We always take care of each other, and right now we needed each other.

She turned in my arms and lay her head in my chest, her sobs now becoming noticeable. Tears fell from my eyes and my sister wrapped her arms around my waist.

"It's not fair, Madi." She cried.

"I know." I choked. We all knew grandpa didn't have much time left. Truthfully, he lived much longer than the doctors even predicted. He was an old man, and after a while his heart started failing

He always talked about going to see grandma when he passed. He said he couldn't wait to see her again, but he treasured every minute he was with us.

I miss grandma a lot too. She was always filled with happiness. We always baked cookies together and had so much fun. Grandpa was no different either.

He was just as wondeful as grandma.

**Flashback**

"Grandpa!" Mel laughed, as he dropped another Christmas ornament. This is why we only had plastic Christmas ornaments at grandpas house.

"I'm old." He shrugged causing me to giggle.

Mel is now 7 and full of sass. Mom says I was the same way but I don't see how she could think that.

"Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree!" I sang along with the music playing in the background as we decorated grandpas tree. I hummed the rest of the song causing dad to laugh.

"What about the rest of the song Madi?" Dad laughed.

"I don't know it." I put another ornament on our now finished tree.

"Alright then!" Grandpa clapped his hands together and grabbed one of mine and one of Mel's hands. "Let's dance girls!"

We both laughed and danced around with grandpa, singing the parts of the song that we knew.

"Cookies are done!" Mom said, coming from the kitchen with a plate full of cookies. Dad smiled at mom and stood up to wipe the flower from her forehead.

"Mm." Grandpa said, stealing a couple cookies. He ate one after another, causing me and Mel to follow in his footsteps.

"Dad! If the girls eat too many cookies they'll be hyper all evening!" Mom scolded with a laugh. He smirked at her and turned to us.

"Looks like we're having a Christmas sleepover!"

**End Flashback**

"We'll get through this Mel." I said, halfheartedly. I knew we would, it just hurt a lot.

She nodded and we continued to hold each other until both of us had fallen asleep.