NUMB

1

Copyright 2014 @ JessicaLMorris

"I'll be right down Gram," I said, as I hit the stairs. There she is, the center of my world, cute as a button.

She is all I have now and I am so thankful to have her.

"How was your run?" She asked with a grin. She undoubtedly knew, very well, that it had been great. Even though it was a rainy May day, I'd run my favorite morning route, regardless of the weather.

I still marvel that the cast is finally gone .

I sit at her right, eating breakfast, as she enjoys the morning paper.

Today's looks were lacking, I had run too long, enjoyed the warmth of a hot shower and she was right.

"I am running late, I'll see you after school," I said with a smile.

I kissed her forehead and off I went.

It was only 2 blocks down across the street, so most days I walked. The air was especially nice, as it had stopped it's early morning drizzle and the sun was peeking through the clouds.

I wave as a few friends honk as they pass, just as most every other morning.

It was crawling towards the end of my SENIOR year.....finally I could see the light at the end of the tunnel!

"All Seniors should report to the gym," Mrs Johnson said, so it would be no Calculus for me today. I headed to the gym with Lane and Kate.

Kate Jones was my best friend, and Lane Morgan, her boyfriend of 3 years, was my other best friend. We were a tight little pack, like The Three Musketeers.

"Good Morning Seniors of Prince West High School," she smiled,"We have a few Announcements, so please, help me welcome Kate Jones, your Class President, Head Cheerleader and Prom Queen!"

"Good Morning Seniors," she smiled and blushed as she had to pause for applause and whistles.

"Exit Exams are next week......

.....I was daydreaming about my acceptance and full scholarship to State, and my other choice, which would take me to the other coast of this beautiful country. True I'd miss the beauty and grace of Charleston, but it just held too many memories, daily reminders of what I was missing and would sure to be missing for the rest of my life. It could be a clean break, my chance to start over. But I can't do that to Gram. I thought shaking my head.

Kate took a sip of her water and glanced at her notecard of reminders and the smile fell from her face. With a hesitant voice, she finally spoke after a few seconds. Looking sadly at Lane and I, she spoke softly,"and lastly, but most importantly, anyone wishing to help with The Charly Weaver Memorial........

I stopped hearing at that point, a shiver ran through me, as I felt Lane put his hand over mine.

There it was,

The tears, I was trembling...

The empty feeling...

It consumed me...

I was lost.....

I just sat there, in a haze, until I felt Lane squeeze my hand and everything came back into focus. Kate was there, in front of me, staring sympathetically, along with Lane, whose eyes were filled with tears.

(The accident had taken both my parents and my twin brother Charley, and left me critically injured. My brother was Lane's best friend.)

"I'm so sorry Carly, they said I had to.....," she said softly pleading.