Another Story

Chapter 1

2014

It started off with a simple, well deserved massage in the middle of an ordinary night. From that day on, my life changed drastically.

***

2009

As soon as I heard someone hastily knock on the door, my head snapped up to look and see who it was, and why they were in such a rush. The principal called the teacher out of the room. It was a mere couple of seconds that she stepped out. When she walked back into the classroom of waiting 6th graders, she hesitated to call someone's name. Though she had already said it a couple of times, it didn't really register in my mind who it was until a minute or two later.

"Jane, sweety." She repeated after I just sat there staring at her. I got up from my desk, walking slowly towards her. "I need you to go with Mr. Hodges. Take your stuff, honey, you're going home."

I skipped back to my desk, not thinking anything of it. I was just glad that I was going home early! I grabbed my stuff, and quickly walked over to the door, and slipped out of the room.

I walked with Mr. Hodges all the way back to his office, happy to be leaving school for the day.

I walked out of the building, and to where my dad was waiting in the truck. I opened the door hastily, and looked over at my dad's slightly long face. I wanted to ask him something like "what's with the early pick up," but I didn't.

"Something wrong?" I asked him.

You could tell right away that he was trying hard to think carefully about his word placement.

"I'll tell you when we get home. Let's go." He replied after a few seconds.

He drove me to pick up my little brother from his elementary school, and then we made our way home.

We got in, and dropped our backpacks down with a plop, and sat down on the couch in the living room so that my dad could update us on what was happening.

"Well... the hospital called me today about mommy.." He hesitated to continue.

We both stayed in silence for the remainder of the time while he talked us through the whole situation. He explained slowly how she had collapsed at a gas station in town, and how some man called 911 to report it. He went on to talk about how the doctors said she was really sick, and they didn't know about how much longer yet she would be able to be with us. He was very careful with his words.

At the time, my brother was 9, and I was 12. I still can't imagine all of the things my dad was going through in that moment, and so many other challenges life put us through.

He decided that to go and check up on her and get all of the details from the doctor. He walked us over two his mom and dad's house, which was just a few feet away from it house. He briefly explained what was going on with my mother's condition. He then told us that he loved us, gave us each a hug and a kiss, and hurried out the door.

I never really knew what everyone meant about loud silence until that moment. My mind was racking itself to try and get some answers, but every time I had one question in mind, another question popped into my head.

Why is this happening?

Is this really happening?

Could this actually be a joke?

Why would my dad joke about something as serious as this?

Or is this actually real?

Author's Note:
This is a true story. The names are changed for their privacy.

Thanks for reaching!