Green Pastures (Edited)

Chapter 2

The next morning, I cleaned up the previous night's dinner and made breakfast. Again, it was simple and fast. Peanut butter and jelly. I dressed and then took care of Jessi. I let Emalie sleep until she woke up on her own. At ten, the doorbell rang. Emalie answered it while I fed Jessamine a bottle.

"Uh... Iz. There's an older man here asking for Sebastion."

"Ohno. What has he done now," I said, getting up from the couch. I rounded the corner and stopped. "Grandpa?" I hadn't seen my mom's dad in so many years. It made sense that he'd show up now.

He's a white hair, tanned skin, six feet tall man in his seventies. Those were the features of a man that my mom would often describe.

"My gosh, girl! You've grown so much since I seen ya last," he exclaimed, in his southern accent. He pulled me in for a hug. I wrapped one arm around his waist as best as I could with Jessi in my other arm.

He was a large, heavy man. Although he wasn't pudgy, he was still big. Years of working on the farm will do that to a person. He kissed the top of my head and pulled back to look at me again. His eyes were tired and sad. Losing his only child had to have taken its toll on the old man. My mom was his world, once upon a time. My grandma passed when I was five and that's when we stopped going to Arkansas. I never understood why mom didn't want to go back. From what I remember, it was an enchanting place. Nature was at its finest down south. Cali was my home, though, and I didn't have plans on leaving it.

"And little Jessamine. She looks so much like you at that age."

"Come in and sit down." I led him into the living room. When we were all seated, I said, "Do you wanna hold her?"

He looked overjoyed and nodded his head, vigorously.

I handed her over and he beamed down at her. He rubbed his calloused hands over her thick black hair and said, "Thank you!"

"You're welcome. This is Emalie," I said, pointing at her. "She's my best friend. She helped me with Jessi last night. I don't know what I'd do without her."

Grandpa's head snapped up and he looked a bit angry. I was taken aback. "Where is your brother?"

"He left last night. I don't know where he went or when he will be back."

"I'll tan his hide. I thought better of that boy."

"It's okay, Grandpa. Really, it's probably better that he isn't here."

"No. No, it's not. You just lost your parents. You need each other more than ever, right now."

I nodded and lowered my head. "I know. It's just that he hasn't been around much anyway. It's a normal thing around here."

"Well, he'd better show up tomorrow or I'll hunt him down."

"He will."

And I knew he would. He might not like to be home, but he loved our parents. He wouldn't miss this.

We sat in silence for a while before Emalie remembered to ask if Grandpa wanted anything to drink. He declined, saying that we had to get to the funeral home but gave his thanks. Emalie volunteered to watch Jessamine while Grandpa and I went. I thanked her and told her I'd somehow make it up to her.

The lobby of the funeral home smelled of dead flowers but it was beautiful none the less. Pictures, paintings, and wilting flowers lined the walls. The interior was modern. The furniture looked very comfortable. We dealt with everything that needed to be done. The funeral would be closed casket, close family and friends only. I was happy to get it over with. I didn't think I could handle much more. Besides, I still had Ben's funeral to attend. I needed to call his mom.

"Em, I'm here," I hollered, opening my front door.

She rounded the corner in the foyer and said, "Shh! Jessi just went to sleep."

I put my hands up and said sorry. She led me to the living room where she had made Jessamine a pallet on the floor.

I flopped down on the couch and put my head in my hands. "I can't do this"

"Shh... Don't you say that." She caressed my hair. "None of this should have happened but only God knows what He is doing. He has a plan for you and you have to trust Him."

"But, how can I? He took three of the only things that mattered most to me."

"I don't know, Isa'Bella. I really don't but you will get through this! I promise. He will never put more on you than what you can handle." She sniffled and pulled back, staring into my eyes. "You are the strongest person I know. I have complete faith in you, as well as God. Don't give up!"

"Thank you, Emalie," I said and hugged her.

"Have you talked to Ben's mom?"

"Not yet. She came by the hospital but I haven't heard from her since. I was going to call her today but then we had to deal with all of the funeral stuff."

"I get it." She gave me a sad smile. "You can go call her. I'll sit in here with Jessie."

"Thanks, Em!"

I kissed her cheek and stood. I pulled my phone out of my back pocket and walked to the front door.

I dialed Annie's number but no one answered. With sad eyes, I walked to the living room and sat back down beside Mindy. "She didn't answer," I told her.

"You'll catch her later, I'm sure."

"Yeah."

I laid my head on her shoulder and dozed off. At six p.m., Grandpa woke me up.

"Hey sweetie, dinner is ready if you are hungry."

"Thank you," I said, as I stood up.

I straightened my shirt and walked to the kitchen.

"How long was I asleep," I asked Emalie.

"A couple of hours. You looked so peaceful, I didn't want to wake you."

"Thank you! I feel better. You should have woke me, though."

"You needed the rest," she shrugged. "Plus, Gramps and I had it covered." Grandpa chuckled.

"You're an amazing best friend," I said to Emalie. "And an amazing Gramps," I said to him."

We ate quietly, After we were done, Grandpa took charge of the dishes and I went to check on Jessi. She was asleep in her play pin so I pulled out my phone and sat on the couch. I dialed Sebastions number but he didn't answer. Emalie came in with an arm full of blankets. "Go grab some pillows and we will sleep in here tonight."

I ran to my room, avoiding looking in the direction of my parent's room and grabbed all of my pillows. When I got back, Em had the cushions off of the couch and onto the floor, with the blankets tossed over them. I tossed the pillows at her and threw myself onto the pallet. She laughed and tossed one back, laying down beside me. We snuggled into the covers and I closed my eyes.

"Iz, I know what you're going through is hard and I don't understand the pain you are going through, but I want you to know that I will always be right here!"

I smiled sadly. "I know and I love you for that but please don't make promises you can't keep."

She closed her eyes and grimaced. "I'm sorry. I didn't think about how that sounded. What I mean is, I will be here any time I am able."

I gave her a smile and snuggled closer, laying my arm across her.