A Thousand Words in Color

Chapter 2

"Nora, please eat." Mom pleaded. I ignored her, she wasn't eating so why should I?

Mom started to cry, that's all either of us ever did now, cry.

People have dropped off all kinds of food, but neither mom or I have had an appetite since the accident. The accident, that's what everybody calls it now. The accident.

I miss my dad. It's true what they say, you don't realize how much you need somebody in your life until they're gone.

The funeral is today, I don't think I have the guts to go. I don't want my last memory of dad to be him laying dead in a casket. Mom says I should go, that I owe it to my father. But what about me? Don't I deserve a break, to make my own decisions at least?

I'm 16 almost 17 and I've been to 5 funerals already in my lifetime. For the first one I was 7 years old, my grandpa Joey had passed away from a heart attack, he was 67 years old. The next one was one month later, my grandma Louisa, grandpa Joeys wife, had passed as well. I was 10 for the next funeral, one of moms work friends had passed away from some sort of cancer, I was young and I kind of don't remember that one because I really didn't know her that well.  Then my great aunt Susie passed away, I didn't know her that well either. The last one was the worst, Two years ago my best friend, Heather was in in a car accident. Heather and I had been best friends since kindergarten. I always told myself nothing could ever beat how miserable I had felt when Heather passed away. I had mistaken.

I heard a knock on the door, I knew it was mom. I screamed, "Come in!"

Mom came into my room wearing her all black dress and black tights and a black jacket. I thought to myself for a quick second, Why did everything have to be black for a funeral? Probably because black is such a death like disgusting color. I try to avoid using black when I paint, it gives my artwork a more sad or maybe even a miserable appearance.

Mom walked over and sat on my bed, beside me. "I really believe you should get ready and come with me."

I gulped, tears started to fall down my checks, "Mom, I just don't think I can."

Mom wiped away my tears, she sighed, "Honey, everyone will be there, and they kinda expect you to come to your own fathers funeral." She took a breath.  "I know this is hard for you, but trust me this isn't easy on anyone."

I silently got up and grabbed the black outfit that mom laid out for me. I went to the bathroom to put it on.

I looked almost identical to mom, we had on basically the same outfit on. When I walked out of the bathroom mom had a big grin on her face, "Thanks you honey."

I faked her a smile, "I'm not going to look at him."

Mom sighed, "I'm not going to force you to do anything against your will."

I walked over closer to mom and gave her a hug. "It's just us now, mom."

"I know, I know honey."

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It's over. I had survived yet another funeral. It's funny how so many people came, we have a pretty small family. Dads and moms work friends were there, almost everyone related to us was there, and some people that didn't even know us were there.

I miss my dad, I miss him so much.

Meghan walked up to me, followed by Janie.

"Hey Nora."  Meghan said attempting to be happy.

I faked a smile, "Hey Meghan, Janie."

Meghan being her peppy self started to make a cheerful conversation. "So you wanna stay at my house tonight?"

I have her a hurtful glare, sometimes she was just to inconsiderate. I let out a huff, "Come on Meghan, my dad just died and your wanting me to come over and gossip with you?"

She started to speak but I spoke over her, "Goodbye Meghan, you and Janie can gossip without me for the next couple of nights."

I started to walk away, Janie followed me as Meghan stood there shocked.

Janie tapped my shoulder, "Hey Nora, I'm sorry that Meghan was so inconsiderate."

I faked yet again another smile, "I'll live."

Janie looked absolutely beautiful, her brown hair was in gorgeous curls and her blue eyes looked incredibly bright due to the amount of black she was wearing.

I on the other hand looked like a dumpster.

Janie tried to restart the conversation, even though I think she can tell that I'm really not in the mood.

"I, I think your really brave Nora."

I smiled a real, genuine smile at her, "Thanks."

Janie cleared her throat, "I lost my mom when I was twelve."

"I'm sorry."

A tear fell off of Janie's face, "I took it a lot worse than you are."

I couldn't do this anymore, talk about death. I feel like I'm stuck in this little circle where the only subject people can talk about is death.

I walked off, leaving Janie all by her self. I knew she would understand, she has always been way more understanding than Meghan.

My friends are nice and everything, but I still miss Heather all the time. Heather and I were always there for each other. I miss her, and I also miss my dad.

My dad. Wow, he was amazing. He was a truly amazing person. I remember when I was around twelve, I received my first plaque for a first place painting. I was so proud of myself. Dad took me out and we ate dinner, he told me "don't get to confident, there will always be someone better than you." Those words broke my heart, I thought I was the best of the best. I went home and painted another painting in around two hours, a couple days later we took it to a showing and it didn't even place. Dad told me that I didn't listen to those words of advice. Now I always remember what my dad said when I'm painting. That changed everything for me, that's how I became the artist I am. I owe my dad everything.

Mom patted me on the shoulder, I didn't even realize that I was lost in thought.

Mom kissed my forehead, "You ready to leave?"

I looked down at the ground, "Yes, I've been waiting."

We got into the car and started to drive away. Mom started to speak, " So I've been thinking that maybe we should have a fresh clean start."

I gave mom a confused look, "What do you mean?"

A tear rolled down moms face, "We're moving."

"What?"

"Yes."

"Where?"

Mom pulled the car into our driveway, "California."

I gasped, we live in Washington. I started to cry, this couldn't be real.

I'm done, I got out of the car. Slamming the door once we reached our current house. I ran up to my room as a million thoughts started rolling through my mind.