Speaking From My Grave

I Will Show You Life

Awkward silence filled the Mason's country farmhouse. It appeared deserted, as if no soul ever existed in here.

Plates didn't clatter anymore. Nobody let out groans at breakfast table. Kelly didn't shout for another prank to be played on Kyle. Smiles were an unforeseen history, a curve that did not decorate the Mason's face anymore.

The last time they enjoyed together was when Jeremy won at Sudoku.

It was another lazy day for him. He was lying on the couch at the hospital lounge watching 'Pawn Stars' when Kyle had arrived without his knowledge. He was so busy that he didn't even notice Kyle tapping on his shoulder for acknowledging the fact that he had come over.

After about an hour of approval, he had finally pestered Jeremy to throw the remote and challenge him on mind boggling Sudoku, which Jeremy was never good at. All patients in the lounge had joined the personal quest of Masons. They cheered for them and one amongst them also did a pole dance distracting Kyle. Meanwhile, mom helped Jeremy win the clash.

Poor little Kyle could only scrunch his face in every Scooby Doo pose and was forcibly made to dance with the cheapest dance moves ever. Until, he decided to pretend that he was exhausted.

That was the last time.

Next day, before dawn Jeremy had taken his last breaths as he bid adieu to this world who had taken much from him but in lieu, returned much more than he could ever ask for.

Today, two days after his funeral, solemn air still flew over the backyard.

Life had seemed to stop.

One of the mourners was Kelly, Jeremy's sister. She was awake, in half stupor but did not bother motioning. It seemed as if she felt grace by being close to the ground, deep inside where her brother lay frozen. Her entire body was scrunched over the floor with her thighs touching her stomach, as if haunched and her arms wrapped around her thighs.

She longed for her brother, wanting him to play around her, to hug her, to tease her as he picked on her ponytails. What harm had a nineteen year old done to be snatched away from the world? Kelly could not come to terms with his loss. She bereaved, pained, groaned but neither brought her beloved brother back.

Her ears wanted to hear Jeremy's voice resonate in the house once again. Gathering all her strength, she stood up and searched for her phone through the dressing table to get to his voicemail, to have him live again.

As she started looking for it through the drawer, her fingers touched something rough. Removing the nail paints and other accessories her eyes discovered an envelope. It had the same scent as Jeremy's and was sealed with a heart sticker. Kelly's heart pounded to think of her brother, another possibility of his stupid pranks arose in her heart. But this one was harsh, harsh to her, to her family. Jeremy was meant to stay. Forever.

Through shaky fingers the sticker was torn to reveal a folded paper and keys. Keys to his Chevy, with the same keychain which Kelly had gifted him once for helping her complete the school work. Her eyes shimmered, tears rolled and she was left with nothing but to grimace in his memories. The white sheet was creased, indicating that the letter had been written long enough. Maybe two weeks ago, when he was jotting down something on his notepad in his hospital room which he denied showing Kelly.

She placed the keys on her lap and sat gently on the warm bed. Heat rose through her body and her hands warmed as it brought chills down her spine. On unfolding the paper, her eyes wouldn't move a tad bit to observe her surroundings.

To Kelly,

I know this letter might be kind of spooky, as you might think that I am dead by now and this is some ghost thing but trust me, I am writing this letter way before my death. I don't know when would it be but I wanted you to know things which I haven't said all my life.

You are really beautiful Kelly and bold too. I know that you would miss my company for the morning jog for some days but then you will get habitual, I promise. And next time you go there, you don't have to get afraid of that badass, Cole. Remember how you punched him when he tried to kick me while I tried to save you. You saved me that day Kel. Thanks to your Karate lessons or I would have gone before I could write this letter to you. Try some moves on him, I'd be happy looking from above.

You don't have to rely on me for everything sissy and why hasn't your fat ass moved to school yet? That is really bad on you part Kel. What are you waiting for? For me to come and drive you around to school? I wish they had this privilege for the dead. But you'd never have let me do that even.

Take my Chevy and yes sweetheart, you are allowed to drive it on your own. Well, I have kept the keys in this envelope. I know you always longed for them but never asked. I saw it in your eyes the day Chelsea asked if you could come to her house party and you felt so embarrassed when I drove you there. Such a sweet little kid you are!

Stay away from Chelsea though. I have seen her many a times hanging around with that dark guy, Cole. He is dangerous. Better keep distance from them.

Hey! I forgot something. Although the Chevy is officially yours now but I still don't want a darn little scratch on it, alright. And you can throw away the CD's you don't like from my playbox but better you give them to Kyle, he can adjust with my stuff. Don't tell him that I told you that he is in love with that horrible band 'Gem In The Dark'. I won't need them now. I hope they have some nice rock band there, in heaven. Although I would miss singing awful lyrics aloud with you.

Keep faith in yourself Kelly. I am just around you ( and again I am forced to say I've written this letter way before I die, unless you pee in your pants tonight).

I have things planned out for all of you. But let time unfold things.

And before you run around the house like a moron, go wash your face. I am imagining how sore and puffy your eyes look. Kel, remember that you should not mourn my death. Remember me in smiles. I wasn't a pain for you. Was I? So smile today as you take my name.

You will always stay my little sister. I will always care for you from the heavens above. I wish I could take you along with myself but that is so selfish on my part to think so. I can't snatch your right to live if mine was snatched so early. I wish I had more days around you.

Love,

Jeremy

Author's note

Wohoo! Drafted the first chapter to this book and I am so excited. It's like one of those books I was longing to start. This book will have regular updates unlike my two other books I Will Have To Move On and Dear Sunshine. It is so because I have entered into this competition which needs only one chapter a week starting from August. So guys I do hope you fall in love with this book.

And what about the cover? Do you like it? To be true I don't like it that much. So can anybody among you do me the honour of making out a beautiful cover. I promise to give you credits for it in the next chapter.

Mail me the cover at sunidhim30@gmail.com.

Have a lovely day.

Cheers.

Love,

SUN