This Too Shall Pass

Chapter 18

Mark notices me looking at them and smiles sweetly. A light dusting of pink covers Amy's cheeks and she ducks her head to look back down at the food she is preparing.

Annabelle comes bouncing down the stairs, her stomach has definetly grown. She looks happy today, though. I love how her lips curve into a bright smile with a single dimple on her left cheek that makes you want to smile as well. She just makes people happy.

We all sit down at the table, exchanging happy conversation as Amy sets the food onto the table.

"Mmmmmmmm, Amy! These are amazing!" Mark moans after pushing the first bite of the thin cake into his mouth.

"Mhm! Thank you, Ames!" Annabelle says cheerfully.

"Yeah, thank you Amy! They're really good!" I add with pancake still in my mouth.

"Aw! Thanks guys! Glad you like them!" Amy replies with a smile.

Annabelle offers to take everyone's plates and clear the table. Usually that's my job. I wonder why everyone is being so nice to me today.

"Claire!" Mark calls my name, I turn to face him form my perch at the table, still arguing with Annabelle to take her dishes. She is pregnant, after all.

"C'mere! I have a surprise for you!" He beckons me over, Annabelle takes the moment of distraction to take my plates and scurry over to the sink to wash them. I go to stop her but she just give me a look that says HEH I WIN! I chuckle softly and walk over to Mark, who hands me my shoes and holds up an envelope.

"Ummmmm...?" I question, pulling my shoes on. He just nods and I open it slowly.

Claire,

Go to the place that brings back the most memories

The one that has a thousand trees

There you will find the next one of these!

I sigh. This is really cheesy. I march my way to the back door and throw it open, revealing the woods that line the horizon in front of me, looking back at the smiling family of 3 behind me, I step outside into the warm summer air and begin to make the trek to the woods.

As I walk, thousands of memories come flooding back to me. Running around with Annabelle when we were younger. I was 9 and she was 11. Weaving through the blueberry bushes and pine trees. Having Daddy chase us around until we feared we were lost. But Mark would always seem to know where we were and come find us, and when we got back to Mark's house Signe and Amy would have lemonade and cookies waiting for us.

I miss those days...

And then there was the tree that Annabelle and I used to climb everyday. It was how we bonded, how she became my best friend... The day I fell off was the day they found the tumor, the reason I was in the hospital so much as a little kid. That tree has amazing memories attached to it, and very emotional ones as well.

That's where the next note is, I'm sure of it.

I start to jog and weave my way through the brush, leaving the safety of the path and entering a small trail we created years ago, I walk along it for a short while, dodging the occasional shrub that has grown in over the years, until I reach a small clearing. In the center is a large oak tree, it is bathed in the morning sun with flowers budding the cherry blossom trees that surround it. It is gorgeous here. The small swing Signe and Amy put up for Annabelle and I is now covered in leaves, flowers and small twigs. It honestly looks like something out of a movie. Tears come to my eyes as I remember every memory I thought I had forgotten. I step forward to rest my fingertips against the bark and cover my mouth with my other hand. Silent happy tears stream down my cheeks slowly.

Hanging from a large broken branch -the one I fell off of- is a white envelope. I take off and tear it open.

Go to the room where you laughed and played

From outsiders you strayed

With the people you consider everything

And those who loved to sing

I think for a moment...

The room I laughed and played? From outsiders I strayed? When I was little I used to spend a lot of time...

The people you consider everything...

Daddy...

Those who love to sing...

That's it!

I break into a sprint towards the house again. I throw the door to see Amy, Mark and Annabelle are not home anymore. I think nothing of it and run down the hallway, sliding on the hardwood and I come to a stop. I bound up the stairs into my room to see all my furniture is missing except for a small table. On top of it rests a few candles, a small box, and another envelope.

I open the box first and Inside rests a beautiful silver necklace with a small diamond on the end, it is simple yet extraordinary. I immediately clasp it onto my neck and admire its simplistic beauty.

I snap back to reality and turn to the envelope.

Who came into your life when you neede her the most?

I am the one who tries to make you feel loved

I hope you know I love you

Some people mean a lot

Happy memories do too

U need to go to our secret place, the one only we know about...

I take off running—

Heyyyyyyyyyyyyyy see if you can figure out what that last note means! Hint- Read the first letter of every sentence. Did you like this chapter? Let me know! 

Oh, and make sure to follow my non-fan fiction account, Signedbystarz, it would mean a lot! 

Byeeeeeeeee