With Love, Silvia. [✔️]

Chapter 32 Return to Hollow Springs

We land around four o'clock and pick up our rental car. Hollow Springs is just outside of the town we landed in, so the drive wasn't long.

I'd never have thought that seeing Erica's lovely house would make me sad, but it does. I didn't want to have to experience that sad faces and sleepless nights ahead.

Dad and I take out our suitcases and wheel them up to the door. The porch is covered in flowers, with notes from friends and family members. The air smells sweet, and I could tell it hadn't snowed in a while since there was little left on the ground.

I knock on the door, and Emma answers with sad eyes.

"I'm so glad you're back. I only wish it wasn't for this reason..." she whispers and hugs me.

"I'm so sorry." I say back.

Emma nods and wipes her nose with the back of her hand. "Come on, let's get your luggage in our room. Your dad's going to have to sleep on the couch, Mom doesn't want anyone in Rodger's room." she says sympathetically.

Dad nods and puts his things near the couch in the living room. The house seems eerie silent.

"Where's everyone?" I ask.

"Mom is down at the cemetery, finalizing a few things for the burial. Owen and Emily are over at Iris's being babysat. I had to go to a study group at school so I just got home." she says.

"How's everyone holding up?" I ask as we walk into the room we used to share. My bed still remains intact.

"Mom hasn't been up and around. She sits in her room. Our grandma calls once every two hours to check on her. I make sure she takes the meds the doctor prescribed for depression. Owen and Emily only know that Rodger isn't coming back, they haven't really grasped the concept of death yet." Emma says and sits on her bed.

"My grades are suffering and I haven't shown Mom my report card. I got a D in history." she says.

"Emma, I'm really sorry. I was the same way after my mom passed." I say and sit on my bed.

"Does it get better?" Emma asks with hope.

I inhale deeply. Inside I knew that one day it might, but I was still in the healing process. But that wouldn't be a helpful thing to bring up at the moment.

"It does. It might take a few days, weeks even. But the shock wears off. I still miss my mom every day, though." I tell her.

We are silent, but it's a peaceful one. I think we were both lost in our own thoughts and emotions.

"Hey, Silvia? I'm going to try and sleep for a bit. Tell my mom that I'm fine if she calls. Can you pick up Owen and Emily from Iris's?" Emma says to me.

"Yea. Sweet dreams." I say back and gently walk out of the room, shutting the door behind me.

Dad is sitting on the couch when I walk downstairs. He looks at me sadly.

"Where are you going?" he asks as I head for the door.

"I have to pick up Emma's brother and sister. I'll only be a minuet." I say and duck outside.

The sun is setting, and the sky is a soft pink. The snow is slushy on my feet, but I trudge on. I walk to Iris's house and ring the doorbell. I had just occurred to me that I would have to see Wes again and my stomach did flips.

Mrs. Biano opened the door.

"Silvia! Great to see you again!" she says cheerily.

"Nice to see you too." I smile back.