The Longest Goodbye

Twelve

Joanie

I'm sitting on the front porch of Dad and Mom's house. I have my hands resting on top of my large belly as I rock back and forth in the black rocking chair.

I'm sad that Jade won't make it long enough to see our new baby. I was hoping that maybe she could stay here a little while longer, but she's gone down hill faster than I thought she would.

I'm going to miss her load laugh, an her crazy smile. She's always been our joy and when she's gone a hole will forever be in our family.

It's dark outside and as I sit in the chill of the night, James comes walking out through the screen door.

"You okay?" He asks, as he takes the rocker beside me.

"Yeah. I was just enjoying the peace of the night."

He nods. "We were going to go in Jade's bedroom and speak with her for a moment." He states.

I think about this knowing that by we he means the siblings. "Let's go then."

He helps me to my feet and I waddle behind him as we slowly make our way up the stairs. John and Jacob are waiting at the top of the steps for us.

Without anything said to each other, we walk into Jade's room an settle on her bed.

"What do y'all want now?" Jade teases.

James snorts. "You know us too well. I was wondering who you're leaving all your money too."

We all laugh and Jade coughs with a smile. Her air tank rest near the bed with the plastic tube running up to her face and in her nose. She's pale and nothing but bones.

"I knew y'all just loved me for my money." Jade says.

"Man," John says. "And this whole time I thought we were keeping it pretty low key."

Jacob smiles. "I'm innocent of all of this."

We laugh again knowing that Jacob has always been the one to get out of the blame.

"Do y'all remember that time Jacob talked us into throwing rocks over the road?" Jade states.

I giggle. "We all tried to hit the road sigh on the other side."

Everyone nods. "I was the one to hit it first." James brags.

"Whatever," Jade rolls her blue eyes. "But do you remember when Jacob's rock hit that car coming around the curb?"

I gasp having completely forgotten about that part. "Yes, and he blamed it all on us." I slap Jacob's shoulder.

He smiles. "If I could get out of it, I was going too. And Mom and Dad believed me every time."

"I hated you so much that day." John puts in. "I could have killed you."

We laugh agreeing with each other. This is what we do for another two hours. We sit and remember our sweet memories together. We wanted to go in there to encourage Jade, but she ended up encouraging us.

When we're done talking the brothers walk out and I turn to Jade.

"How about I sleep with you tonight? Like old times?"

She smiles. "Sure, let's feel young again."

So I crawl into bed beside her and we begin talking like we once did. Since we had been the only girls I our family, we had had to share this room and bed. We had had several fights through the years, but within moments we would be laughing about them. It was a sister thing.

"Jade," I start. "Why do you love gardenias so much?"

She sighs with a small smile on her face. "I believe they smell like Heaven looks. When I close my eyes and take in the sweet smell of them, I can almost see Heaven."

I smile at her words knowing that she's at peace with God and everything that's been happening.

"I love you, sis." I say.

She coughs. "I love you too."

~~*~~
Drake

The whole family is staying at their parents house since the time has gotten so close.

It's October now, and the days have gotten shorter. Night falls fast and I feel like my life is doing the same thing.

Through these past few months it would seem like I would have had the time to prepare myself for her death, but nothing can prepare you for losing the person you love.

I'm at work right now even though I have no desire to be. I'm working night shift, so the stars are out and the moon is full.

My cell phone goes off and I pull it out to see that James is calling me. My heart drops since it's one o'clock in the morning.

I answer it with a shacking voice.

"Drake, you need to get over here." James tone is full of emotion. "She's not going to make it any longer."

I hang up and with tears in my eyes I yell at my boss that my girlfriend is dying as I rush to the parking lot.

~~*~~
Jade

I'm so tried, but I don't hurt anymore. I have an unearthly peace come over my heart and in the corner of the room I believe I can almost see Heaven.

I laugh aloud and I hear Joanie ask me what's so funny, but I can't see her.

"It's so beautiful." I whisper.

~~*~~
James

She's gone.

Just as Drake comes rushing in Jade takes in her last breath and says, "It's so beautiful."

We all erupt into tears as her eyes close and her chest stops moving. Drake falls to his knees at her bed side before grabbing her hand and crying.

Jade's gone, but she's finally pain free. I know as I hug tightly to Clare that Jade's laughing and singing.

I didn't think it would hurt as bad as it does. I already miss her so much.

"God help us." I cry.