Going Home

I dragged my feet up to my second floor apartment that was located in west bumblebee Brookshire Texas. The neighbors we arguing like every night. Screaming at each other one minute and having loud sex the next. Good thing I invested in some really good ear plugs last month.

I have only one more month left in this shit hole. The rent was cheap but the location was less than desirable. Unlocking my door, throw my keys on the table and strip in the laundry room. My clothes were usually soiled with dirt and sweat after a long day. The customers today weren't as much ass holes as most day. When people's internet going out they act like it's the end of the world.

I jump in my shower, dry off and jump in my bed. Glad I stopped my Buccees for dinner. Tonight was no a night I felt like cooking. Looking at the clock my the bed that read 7pm. Its early but I have a hard time falling asleep. Popping two meltonins and chased it with room temp water I fall back on my bed and attempt to sleep.

I woke up to my phone vibtating. I reach over to see who would be calling st this ungodly hour. 0425 to be precise. Mom? I slide the phone to answer.

"Mom? Everything okay?" I knew she wouldn't call me this early unless something was wrong. I heard sniffling on the line. I sat straight up when I heard her sobs. "Mom? What happened?"

"Henry... it's Caleb..." she sobbed some more. I waited for her to say more so I don't jump to conclusions. I heard her sigh and taking deep breaths. "Caleb went out to a friends birthday party tonight and he was decided to drive his friends motorcycle around for a bit." She cried some more and paused.

"What happened mom?"

"Well, they said he was speeding and trying to do tricks while on i10. I10! He lost control and hit the back of a semi. He is at Memoral now. We don't know how hurt he is or anything." She cried some more.

Rubbing my hand over my face as I try to shake the cob webs for my mind. Of all the night I had to drug myself to sleep. "I will be there soon. Try to wait for me. Is anyone there with you?"

My dad passed away a couple of years ago for a brain aneurism. She only had me, Caleb and maybe a friend or two.

"No honey. Only me. I will wait for you. I know you work so hard but you are all I have." Her voice crack at the end.

"I'll be there soon, mom. I love you."

"I love you too."

I disconnected the call and slowly raised out of bed. Walkong over to my bathroom mirror, I was a pale faced man with dark circles and unruly curly hair. I throw on some sweats and a clean shirt. Before I walked out the door, I put on a baseball cap to keep my hair down.

When I arrived at the hospital, I asked the receptionist where my brother was located. Damn near running to the wait area I run into my mom. Wet tears streak down her face. Embracing her in a big hug, I whisper calming reasurents to her.

"He is in the operating room now..."

As soon as she said that someone tapped on my shoulder. Turning around, I see a doctor in blue scrubs.

"Are you the family of Caleb Johnson?" She asked us.

"Yes, we are. Is he okay?" I ask her. I am trying hard to stay strong in front of my mom but it is slowly cracking.

"Please follow me." She walks over to an empty office and sits us down. She grabs two water bottles and hands them to us. "I regret to inform you that your son has passed away." She told my mom. "We tried our best to save him but his injuries were too severe."

I was waiting for my mom to start sobbing again but I heard nothing. Looking over at her, I notice her face was blank. Her eyes were empty and and her hair looked dull.

"I understand doctor. When can we bury my son? Does he need and open or closed..." She didn't finish he sentence.

"Closed, I am afraid. We will prep him for transport for tomorrow."

"Thank you doctor." My moms voice was void of any emotion.

We walked out the office and sat down.

"Do you want to go home mom? I can drive and stay with you." I told her with my arm still over her shoulders.

"That would be nice honey. Can you go to Starbucks and get me an iced americano please. I know it will take you a little bit but I would like to stay here with your brother for a bit longer." A small smile on her face. I know it was forced but I agreed and went to get it for her.

I returned to the hospital 30 mins later to find the 3rd floor in chaos. Doctors running in and out of the room my brother was in. I walked closer to the room to see a female arm dangling from the table.

"Time of death 0635 am." It was the same doctor that operated on Caleb. She turned around and I saw tears running down her face. I walked over to her slowly and put my hand on her shoulder.

"What happened doc? What happened to my mother? Why is she gone too?" I couldn't gold it back anymore. A heart breaking sob left my throat. I lost both my brother and mother on the same day. With in hours of each other.

I woke up a couple hours later. The doctor walked in when I sat up.

"Mr. Johnson, I am glad to see that you are up. You passed out during to shock. I am sorry about everything that has happened to you. Please let me know if you need help with anything."

"Doc. Who do I talk to about moving them to a funeral home? I would like to lay them down for rest as soon as I can."

"We can transfer them to the funeral home of your choice anytime you want. Just let us know where." I gave her the details of where I would like to tranfer them to. Within the next few hours, I was giving them all the instructions and plots of where I would like to bury them to the funeral home employee. Right next to my father.

I was driving back to my moms house when I started thinking how my life just flipped upside down within 12 hrs. No more sunday dinners. No more family holidays. No more daily chats with mom. My life was pretty average before today. Work, home and sleep. Now it's just me.

The drive to my moms house was excruciating. My heart was aching more and more the closer I got. I was at a red light when Untitled by Simple Plan came on the radio.

My eyes blurred and I went to wipe the tears from my eyes. When I looked up, I saw bright lights heading straight for me. Before I could react I heard loud crash, felt pain and then felt nothing. When I opened my eyes again, I was looking at my dad, mom and brother. They were all smiling at me. I don't understand what is happening but all I know is that I am finally going home.