The Honest Truth| Rhett and Link

12: Evrett

The night soon came and, due to my endless sobs, I got tired and fell asleep. By that time, the McLaughlins left and my radio was turned on. That night I had no dreams, nothing tomwake me up, and nothing to comfort me.

The next day, I woke up, just in time to hear a song I was almost too familiar with. It was a sad song, consisting of no words but only the strings on the violin, being bowed so gently that they all seemed to melt together. The song before would always make me cry, but this time, it made me cry even more.

"And that was the song 'Suffering From Death but Still Living' by Evrett Schmitt," The radio guy announced. "Who, today, would have her thirty-fifth birthday."

I was blasted out of my drowsiness. I didn't really keep track of the date ever since Mom died, but now that I had the knowledge that it was her birthday, I knew the date exactly.

May 19th.

The radio announcer kept talking about Mom."About two years ago, on December 12th, Evrett Schmitt died, a murderer shooting her, and her daughter, who called 911, survived, but having no parents whatsoever. The girl, Kara Schmitt, was an orphan for about a year, until she got adopted. Wonder where she's at."

"I don't even know," I whispered as I got out of bed. I put on jeans and a shirt that had music notes on it.

I got out of my room and walked to the kitchen. Everyone else was already eating. I got some cereal and sat in between Lily and Link.

"Good morning, Kara." Christy said.

"Good morning," I said glumly.

"What's wrong?" Link asked, and I secretly gave him a death glare.

"My mom," I said."It's her birthday. I totally forgot about it, until now, and I just.... miss her I guess."

"I bet you do," Christy said."That's okay. Things will get better."

I looked Link. By now it was clear that he told Christy what happened, but not any of the kids. He looked away from my dark stare and checked his phone."Rhett's here," he said."I need to go. Kara, do you--"

"No!" I yelled, then tried to relieve my anger. Why would he think I would want to go and be on his stupid little show?"No, thank you very much, though." I made sure my eyes told him that I was anything but thankful.

He flinched."Okay, then." He left the house. I finished my breakfast and went back to my room.

Mom! I'm your daughter, remember me? I miss you. Please, please, please come back for me.

Listening to more of Mom's songs on the radio, I remembered what she told me when one of her songs got famous. It was what was playing only so long ago, "Suffering From Death but Still Living." I was about five or six when it got famous, and when I heard it, I asked what told her to make such a sad song.

It's your father, the greatest man, who I took care of, who I laughed with, who I loved, who died. Kara, I'll tekk you a secret. No matter what I say to the reporters, the song does have lyrics. Do you want to hear them?

Eager to hear them, I nodded frantically. I knew that they would somehow relate to Dad, who I never really heard about. Mom took me downstairs and sat down, inviting me to do the same.

They might not be very good, Mom warned. She started singing.

People think love lasts forever

It has no end, it has no bounds.

I used to think it was amazing

But now I'm suffering from it.

It's super hard to say

Why I have lost my love.

I say it's because I'm suffering

From death but still living.

And oooh,

Why do they say

Love lasts for eternity?

And why?

Why do they say

Love finds its way?

'Cause I'm, suffering from death but still standing.

I thought I'd never be in this condition.

They say love finds its way,

But I say, love seems to have died.

Suffering from death but still standing.

Where has my love gone?

I'm suffering from death but still standing.

Where has he gone?

Remembering those lyrics made me feel sad inside. It was Mom's birthday, and I didn't know what to do other than sob. The Neals' dog, Jade, came in and hopped on my bed and licked my face, knowing I was feeling sad.

Where had my love gone?