The Forgotten

Chapter 9

When we returned to the house, my mom was dressed and ready for us. My mom hugged Maria and Jackson when they came in. "Did they tell you?" Was all she asked. And the look in Maria's eye answered the question. My mom looked down. "Well we'd better make some arrangements" My Aunt Joyce said. "I guess." My mother replied. "I can't start making the arrangements if you tell me what funeral hook and pastors you want to use." Aunt Joyce said. "Thanks, Joyce." My mom said "no problem, maybe you could go make us some lunch or something." She said. "Okay." My mom replied.

Aunt Joyce was always really calm about things. We really needed her at a time like this. She was making some calls to family to break the news to them, and calling some funeral parlors to make the arrangements. I could never be able to do that so calmly like she is, and neither would my mother.

I decided to go try to catch up with my cousins. Maria started talking to me about how she's lead cheerleader for her cheer squad at school. And finally Jackson gave in and told me a bit about his band that he and some friends started. It was getting warm in the house so I took off my hoodie, forgetting about the cuts on my arm. Maria noticed right away. "Why are there cuts on your arm, Carly?" She asked. I felt the guilt again and looked over at Jackson, this expression showing he knew exactly how I got them, but I wasn't about to admit this. "Oh uh my friends dog scratched me." I said, though they both clearly could tell I was lying. They didn't bring it up again. I put my hoodie back on.

"Lunch is ready" my mom said, bringing the food to our cluttered kitchen table where Aunt Joyce was working. "You can take it into the living room." She said. Aunt Joyce was talking quietly with my mom and my cousins were watching tv. I felt depressed again. Maybe I needed to take a nap or something. I went to my room and fell right to sleep.

A couple hours later, Maria came in to wake me up. "Hey, Carly, wake up, we're going to get some dinner." She said. I slowly opened my eyes. "What time is it?" I asked. "Nearly 5:30" she said. "Wow I slept for 4 hours?" I asked. "Yeah and now it's dinner time. Get ready, we're going to the Olive Garden!" She said with excitement. "Okay let me get changed I'll be right out." I said.

So I got dressed and went out to my family. "Hey Car, were going to dinner." Aunt Joyce said. "Yeah Maria told me, let's go" I said. I always enjoyed going to dinner. But I don't think it'll ever be the same without Sarah.