Blessings of Anathema

Chapter XVIII: Odessa I

I was awoken by the shifting of my body. In front of me there stood my mother. She was smiling at me. She was always so happy.
"It's time to wake up if you want to gather the berries with us." She said. "Okay!" I jumped up and ran to the bathroom where to get ready. Ken was standing at the sink with the door open, brushing his teeth. "When are you going to be done, I gotta pee." I said while holding my crouch.
"I'm done, now." He said before spitting out his toothpaste and washing his mouth. He walked out and I ran in. I relieved myself and showered before getting dressed. I made my way to the kitchen to grab something to drink and dad was sitting at the table, reading the newspaper.
He looked up and chuckled at me. "Boy, you're going to go out dressed like that?" He said. I looked down at my outfit. I was wearing regular black gym shorts with a tight, green shirt and white shoes. I looked up at him "Yeah, so?". He just laughed again. "Alright, so then I guess we're ready." He said before placing his newspaper down and standing up.
"I guess we are." Said mom before coming up behind me and squeezing me into her stomach. I wiggled out of her grip and we both laughed.
All four of us walked out of the house and towards the berries, which are walking distance away. The weather was hot, real hot. All of our black hair and dark skin didn't help either.
We reached the berry site and we all started picking them together. We considered ourselves the lucky ones... a happy life with happy people.
We finished picking the berries and walked down to our local homeless shelter about a mile away. We would often give back to those in need. Dad always preached to us about loving the forgotten. Most of these people we see here have nothing. Not even someone to remember they exist. I suppose giving them that sensation is our Alms to the world.
After delivering the berries, dad made a cash donation and then we went down to the pond nearby. This is mothers favorite place. She loves to watch the ducks feed on the bread she throws.
We arrived at the pond and dad and Ken sat down on the bench to watch mother, but I ran to her. "Mom, can I help?" I asked her. She smiled at me "Well of course you can." She said before handing me a piece of bread.
I broke a bit off of it and ran to the edge of the pond to throw it. This startled the ducks and they all swam off. "Now, Odessa. We told you this ducks are easily frightened. You have to stay back from them." Mother said to me.
I ran back to her and threw the bread in. The ducks swam back and ate the bread. I looked at mom and we both smiled and laughed. I turned around and called out to Ken. "Hey, Ken. Come try this it's cool." I said. "Okay!" He said before jumping up and running toward us.
I handed him a piece of bread. He threw it and the duck it landed by ate it immediately. We all started laughing.
Dad came over and hugged mom from behind. Mom looked at him and then over to us. "Are you boys enjoying yourself?" She asked. "Yes" we both answered before laughing. "Alright" She said. "Me and your dad are going to head back to the house. When you two finish up here, come back home, alright?" She smiled at us. "Alright." We responded.
They started walking off but then mom stopped and turned back around. "I love you both." She said. We turned to her and smiled. "We love you too."
And with that, they left.
Me and Ken sat at the pond for another 20 minutes messing with the ducks and laughing at them. "We only have one piece left." Ken said. "Oh, I know!" I replied. I grabbed the piece of bread and ran down to the shoreline. The ducks swam away as expected. However, I left my hand there, bread in palm until one returned. One duck swam up and ate the bread out of my hand. I was shocked. I slowly reached down to it and touched it. I began stroking its back with my index finger.
I looked at a Ken and we both looked shocked. "Let's go tell mom!" I said. Ken nodded his head "Yeah!"
And then we ran off, startling the duck and causing it to swim away quickly.
We ran all the way home without stopping. I beat Ken to the front door and slung it open. "MOM, MOM!" I called out and ran into the living room. There was no answer, and she wasn't in there.
So I ran upstairs and slung open her door. "MOM!" I said smiling.... but that smiled dropped. Mom was in the room, and so was dad.
They were flying... but like in a movie.... by using string...
The string was covered in red... red.... red is the only color I remember from that scene...
Shivers began to run through my body. The feeling of nausea took over. I couldn't stand. I dropped to my knees and began to cry.
They left a note.... but it only had their name written on it.
I suppose they too, don't want to be forgotten....