Don't Save My Life

Chapter 24

Wiila

"Wait! Don't forget your presents!"

     I shifted Theodore over to my hip as Mrs. Carter scurried over to her white Christmas tree. She heaved out a sigh as she bent, retrieving three glittery packages.

     I watched as my neighbor shuffled back over, her squatty frame making her resemble a penguin in her black dress and white apron. Mrs. Carter had been a part of our lives for as long as I can remember. And even so, she remained an elusive stranger. That one piece of family who when you see her, she's family, but when you don't she's just as familiar as any other stranger you've never met.

     After dad committed suicide during the bombing, mom had to get a job as an assistant and our neighbor was the only one who could help watch Theo while I was at school. At first we'd been weary of her. Mrs. Carter was a widow, and almost never came out. When she did, her old eyes always peered nosily from behind her wrinkled crow’s feet as she watched our house, not even jumping as the sound of thumps rattled the walls. Dad hated her, called her a "nosy old bitch." He forbade mom from talking to her after the first time Social Services had come rapping on our door. He secretly hated that he'd had to take his medicine and be nice to us that day.

     It took a lot of pride for my mother to ask Mrs. Carter's help, but afterword’s she didn't have to speak it to know how big of a difference it made in our lives. Mrs. Carter loved Theo like her own grandson, and never accepted the money my mother begged her to take.

"Now don't open them until Christmas." She narrowed her eyes at me and I shook my head appealingly. "Yes ma'am."

"Are you sure you don't need him to stay longer? I know how you teens are, need your alone time. Speaking of which, you're home pretty early."

Questions. I considered that my cue to go. Sure, I could simply say my boyfriend had to go home but then that would bring about the question of whom. And of course, that reaction we always got when people found out it was Emmett, the town’s hero.

"Yeah, my plans changed, but thank you for the presents and for watching the booger."

Theo giggled at this, just the way I expected." He could now say little words, and make his own variations of names. He always comprehended well and for some reason, the word booger made him erupt into laughter every time.

"Well, thanks again. Bye." I said, before she could ask how my mom was doing, who she was seeing, who I was seeing, and or how much were the bills this month.

I bumbled across our lawns, Theo on one hip and my left side combating the threat of a present avalanche. When I got inside, I set everything down and let the crisp click of the brass lock.

     I was aware that I shouldn't find comfort in locking myself in with the memories.  No amount of paint or new furniture could erase the pain that had gone on in this house, and honestly, I wasn't quite sure I wanted it to. Watching Emmett and his struggle made me grateful to remember everything, the good and the bad. I didn't want to have the nightmares that came from suppressing the thoughts anymore; I didn't want to see the dead bodies that remained from the blast when I closed my eyes. All because I'd block it out during the daylight.

 The power button squished beneath my finger, making sponge bob square pants promptly appear on the screen. Theo took his place in front of it, giving me leeway to make his snack. Whirring to life, the microwave displayed two minutes in green block letters, giving me just enough time to make a call.

Rickie picked up on the first ring, "I'm on my way."

"Whoa there sea biscuit. “I joked, clicking the speaker button so that I could maneuver around the kitchen. "I was going to invite you over but what’s your rush?"