Shrug

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

                My parents were both pretty chill, but they were always occupied with the job they shared to really pay attention to me. To some people, it's cute. A middle aged couple loving their jobs together? It's a pretty tough commitment for a lot of people, but not for my parents. Both of them were raised in Calgary, Canada, and they both had some weird dream to open a coffee shop in Yellowknife together.

                Yeah, I had extremely oddball parents.

       They came home later than usual from work that night. I guessed that they had to deal with a food inspector or something stupid like that so I didn't really care. They came home late all the time. I expected them to ask me what happened to the shattered photo frame by the door, but they never asked about it.

 Instead, they were the ones that broke it to me. I didn't take note of their grim faces until they stood in front of the television, blocking my view from the screen. The silence between them was grave, a frown formed on both their faces. Their eyes looked tired like they had a long day.

                "Uh, hi?" I said, looking back and forth between the two of them.  

                My father first coughed, then spoke. "It's about Michelle."

                I was eating a bowl full of popcorn—I remember it was with extra butter because it was practically melting in my mouth. I assumed they were talking about her grandmother. "I know, her grandma passed away today. I feel so bad for her."

                "No, it's Michelle," my mom had her eyes closed, her lips strained in a straight line. She was usually so relaxed and well reserved, but right now it looked like she could break down any moment. "She got into a car accident."

                I dropped my handful of popcorn back into the bowl. If it was possible, my eyes would've popped out in disbelief.  "Wait is she..."

                My mom was the one who cut to the chase, although she was overwhelmed with remorse.  "She's dead."

                It was the last thing I expected to hear. Especially from my parents. Michelle was dead.

                ". . ." I could only stare as I choked on my own breath. 

                Dad wrapped an arm around my mom's sagged shoulders. She looked like she could break down any moment. "They said her death was instant. It wouldn't have hurt."

She was really dead.

                I took a few moments to take in what they just told me. Michelle's grandmother was definitely dead. I was certain of that. But on the same day, my best friend died. Or ex-best friend since a few hours ago.

                "She-She can't be dead," I said. "I was with her two hours ago. She can't be dead. She can't be."

                "I'm sorry." Both my parents came towards me to envelope me in a huge hug.

                I didn't let them. I was scrambling to the corner of the room. "She's not dead! It's not fair."

                The last time I saw her was two hours ago, her face soaked with tears full of grief. She looked sane enough. Even though Michelle was pretty carefree, she wasn't as extreme to wound herself in a car accident.

                But.

 I had made her angry. The flare in her eyes looked almost explosive. Had she sped up because of her temper towards me? Or maybe somebody had crashed into her car, or the road was a little simply; a mere accident? I hoped for the second option. Guiltily, of course.