The hole in her heart was big. Her heart ached, more than it had when she had first heard the news. Her face was soaked with tears, and her bed covers were damp. But she didn't care. She didn't have a single care in the world anymore.
To her, her life was over. Over. She didn't care if anyone tried to comfort her. She was done. Done with life, because her brother wasn't in it anymore.
"Chris," she muttered, over and over again, marveling over his name.
"Abbi, honey? I have some breadsticks and cheese soup for you on a tray, sweetie," said Abbi's mom, hopefully, outside her room.
She didn't respond. "Do you want to talk about it?"
"No. Absolutely not." said Abbi flatly.
"Okay, I'll leave the food outside," said her mom softly.
"I DON'T CARE ABOUT THE STUPID FOOD!" shrieked Abbi, losing it. "GO AWAY!"
Abbi's mom couldn't take it. She smashed the plate of food and yelled, "FINE! I'LL BE HAPPY TO!"
In the kitchen, Abbi's parents and Sasha were discussing how to get Abbi out of this phase. "She misses him," said Abbi's dad.
"She needs to get over it," said Sasha blandly. "He's not here for her, anymore. He's not here for no one."
"Sasha's right. She's definitely right. We can't be softies, no. We are going to help her get over this," said her mom sternly.
"I'll try to help her," said Abbi's dad, and he went upstairs before anyone could say another word.
"Abbi, dearie?" said her dad.
Crickets. Chirp chirp. "Honey, you there? Can we talk?"
"Absolutely NOT!" she yelled.
"Geez, I just-" he started.
"NO. N O. NO!" Abbi yelled.
Sasha said, "I'll handle this."
The parents looked at each other and held their breath. Sasha stormed up to Abbi room and yanked on the door with such force that it burst open.
"ABIGAIL FREMENTER! LISTEN TO ME!" Sasha took a deep breath. "Chris is dead. Gone from the world. He's not coming back. Never. Not ever. Not in a million years."
Abbi stopped screaming- and started sobbing. "I know it's true-" she sobbed. "But I can't let it be true."
Sasha pursed her lips and tears trinkled from her eyes. "I don't want this any more than you don't, Abbi."
"I know," Abbi whimpered.
"But this is the way it is," Sasha said. "Sometimes... sometimes, we have to let go of the one's we love the most. Learning how to let go is one of the most important parts of life. You don't know how to let go until you have to let go of someone you love. It's always hard. Never easy. But it's part of life. When Dad and Mom are gone from the world... it'll be you. You and me. Together."
Abbi's voice trembled. "Sometimes..." Abbi said. "You realize how much your sister really cares about you." The sisters embraced, soaking their tears on each others shoulders.
Their parents came in the room. "It pains me to lose him," said Abbi's mom. "He was great. But... we really have to understand that Chris is gone."
Abbi's heart ached. "Sasha," she murmured.
Sasha looked over at her sister. "Abbi, what?"
"Thank you."
