A Ride to Remember

Proposal and Denial

I wake up to the aroma of smoked bacon and sweet maple. I could hear the sizzling of the grease that lingered in the pan— a combination that invited me to get out of bed and naturally, I accepted.

After getting dressed, I stepped into the long hallway. My bear feet against the cold, wood floors sent a chill racing down my spine. At the other end of the hall was Jason's room, facing mine. Any other day he would be racing me to the steps, bulldozing me over to get to the table first, but this wasn't just any other day— it was the day after the funeral, the day after we lay my brother to rest, but I, myself, was still restless.

I slowly, headed down the stairs and into the kitchen. At my presence, my moms lips curled up into a smile, as she flipped a piece of bacon. "Good morning." For someone who just  buried her son yesterday, she was in a brighter mood than to be expected.

"Morning." As my eyebrows caved, I took in her presence. Her beautiful black waves brushed back and tucked behind her ears, while her clothes were neatly pressed and she looked so clean. I've always admired my mother, she was always so pure and ever since I was a little girl— I wanted nothing, but to be like her.

"I made you a plate." She pushed the warm plate towards me. As I looked down at the scrambled eggs and bacon, she handed me a fork and set the bottle of syrup next to me.

"Thanks, mom. This, uh— it looks great." Her smile widened and she nodded her head with approval. What I failed to mention was that scrambled eggs and bacon were Jason's favorite things to eat in the morning.

"Hey, mom, where's dad? He's usually here for breakfast." She looked out the kitchen window that faced the street.

"He's out there. Detective Stanley's been out there since the crack of dawn." Her voice lowered. "He came by early this morning, while you were sleeping— said he wanted to get a better sense of who— your brother— is or was..." her voice trailed off. "Your dad was more emotionally stable than me."

I couldn't bring myself to say anything else and as I slowly, chewed on my eggs, they got bitter with each taste. She came around the counter and wrapped her arms around me. "I love you, Callie."

"I love you too, mom." The front door swung open as my father stepped inside, wiping his nose with his arm.

"Richard..." tears filled in my mothers eyes, the sight of my father had just so quickly put her on edge. She wanted to know something, anything— to put her mind at rest.

"Not now, Josie. Not now." He rushed up the stairs in silence as my mother squeezed her eyes shut and silent tears streamed down her face.

"Mom...." my voice was a whisper and as I put my hand on her shoulder, she covered her eyes with one hand. At my touch, she sniffed, swallowing hard.

"I, uh— I need some air." She went towards the back patio, through the living room and from the kitchen I could hear her wailing— a sound that broke my heart.

The next couple of days I was getting so stir crazy. My mom never wanted to leave the house, my dad was always gone and I would spend hours in the window staring at the yellow do not cross tape, that roped off the street— replaying what happened over and over in my mind. Detective Stanley spent most of his free time standing at the corner, smoking cigarettes and standing over the chalked outline of Jason's body. I wanted to scream every time he would stand in the spot where I stood— next to Jason's  dried blood that stained the street.

While I was sitting on my daybed, the doorbell rang, breaking silence in the house and causing me to jump. When I came downstairs, I thought it was the detective with news of who the killer was, so I could put my mind at rest. My mother must have hoped the same thing because she opened the door with such determination.