Stuck In Time

Chapter 2

*Present*

As Grace and I stepped into the grocery store, the familiar scents of various foods filled my nose. I loved to eat. Why couldn’t we just buy everything? “Hey Grace, can I go look at the magazines? I gave the puppy dog face, something that works every time. “Alright but when it’s time to go, I mean it” she replied. As I skipped towards the racks, something stopped me. A thought came to me-

My dad.

Every time i think of him, i get a sign. For some reason, though, I wasn’t scared. I smiled to myself, and walked up to the teen magazines. I picked up one reading ‘Exclusive: Justin Bieber a Girl!’. I laughed hysterically. It’s about time they found out the truth! As I skimmed through the book looking for the cover story, I looked up, wondering if there were any other juicy stories i could read. Might as well read them now, for I’m hoping i won’t be too surprised when my best friend tells me the news about the stories. I’m hoping for my memory to get better...I can never tell. 

As I looked through the other magazines (I never cared for Bieber anyway) I came across a torn one, all the way in the back. As my fingers touched the fine print, a spark came through my body. I picked up the magazine fast and stared into it. 

I can’t believe it.

*Flashback*

As I skipped to the hair section, waiting for Auntie Grace (she was here visiting) to come back for me, I saw the magazines. “Reading real magazines means that you’re getting older” I thought. “ Might as well since I’m 14!” As I looked through the teen books, trying to figure out which one I would understand, I came across one with my favorite singer on the cover.  As I pulled it out, I smiled, and started to read the caption. ‘Find Who Your Dream Man Will Be!’ Um ew, I don’t need no mystery man. As I looked through, trying to see if comics were printed in this, Auntie Grace came over, pale as a ghost, cell phone in hand. “Auntie Grace what’s wrong?!” I screamed. I ran over to her. Grace seemed to be staring into space. 

As her eyes met mine, all I could think of were my parents. “What happened?” I squeaked, lower than intended. “Honey” she knelt down beside me “You love your mother dearly correct?” I nodded vigorously, not knowing how to react. “Well, she loved you too. But sometimes, when you love someone, you have to let them go. Your mother, we think, needed time to-”

 “WHAT?! What to do you mean let them go Auntie Grace?! What happened to mommy?!” Grace’s face got even whiter, if that was possible. “Your mother didn’t come home last night. don’t know why she would-” she started to choke on sobs “leave you. She was...such a good...mother!” Grace was now well-beyond crying hysterically. It was her sister-in-law after all, and they were practically best friends. And now she’s gone. Wait a second...her best friend...my mom...MY MOM’S GONE FOREVER??!

I stood there shocked. Perplexed. This couldn’t happen to me. It just couldn’t. Slowly I started to rip the magazine in half, not knowing why. Grace’s hand stopped me from tearing the rest. She pulled the magazine from my hand and threw it to the ground, pulling me into the saddest hug I have ever experienced, if that makes any sense. I gathered my thoughts, and the tears came rolling down my cheeks like a waterfall. I was still in shock. My mind went blank. What’s happening?? 

Grace managed to say a few more words. “that was your” sob “father on the phone. He told me the news. Oh honey i’m sorry. I’m sorry i had to tell you here. I’m sorry-” “Stop!” i screamed. i glared at her in disgust. Why was I acting like this?! “Stop feeling sorry for yourself” My heart turned cold. Grace stopped crying and looked at me in awe. i swallowed my tears and began again. “I’m sorry Auntie Grace. Let’s just go home.” Trembling, I put the magazine back, not wanting to be a big girl anymore. As I took a step,I fell, suddenly feeling weak and hopeless. Like there was no reason for me to live. Then everything went spinning out of control. Grace’s face morphed, and I could see my mother’s face being replaced. I saw her whisper something from those perfect lips, but i couldn’t make it out. I was too young to understand. Suddenly everything went black.