Remember Death

Chapter 3. The Toll Life Takes

That was the longest four minutes of our lives. We did not know if we should have tried CPR, if we should have laid her on the bed, or what. Instead we just sat there frozen in time. Although words went unspoken, Aiden and I worried if we were about to lose both our parents.

The medics got there and loaded our Mother in the ambulance. We could see them checking her vital signs through the ambulance window as Aiden and I were being questioned. The medics wanted to know what happened and what could have led to this potential overdose. They thanked us for acting quickly, then drove away with our mother.

The Sheriff department showed up soon after to collect all drug paraphernalia. Our home looked like a crime scene investigation. Cops entered our home and one by one, they tore the place apart. The cops found bags of money, pills, and multiple other things we had never seen before.

We were informed that when our mother recovers, she must attend a rehab facility for 6 months, after that she will be placed on probation. Aiden and I were placed in a temporary foster care facility. Luckily, there was a family willing to take the both of us in together.

We were being fostered by Ron and Diane Shirley. They were the most caring couple I had ever met. Living with them made our foster care experience manageable and we grew really close to them. Ron taught Aiden how to hunt and took him fishing. Diane taught me a lot about cooking and sewing. The house was always clean and smelled nice. Food was always on the table and in the fridge, so we never went hungry.

They reminded me a lot of our Nana and Papa. I miss them terribly. The way mom described it, since they are our paternal grandparents, once dad passed away, they wanted nothing to do with us anymore. I refuse to believe that, it does not feel right. Aiden and I tried calling them every year on Samhain, but they never answered.

Christmas has arrived and so did mine and Aiden's birthday. We were turning 17, another year closer to being legal adults and believe me we were counting down the days.

Despite everything we had been through, we were hoping to receive a call from Mom. We got nothing, not a call or a letter. She has made no contact the whole two months so far. After today, we concluded not to expect anything from her.

Ron took us to see The Hobbit 2, it was AMAZING. Aiden and I are huge nerds and we think Ron secretly is too. Diane claimed this was not her type of film, so she would stay behind and cook dinner. We snapped some pictures of the fun we were having, to show her what she was missing out on.

We returned to their house to find that Diane had arranged a party for us, while Ron was keeping us busy. There was a huge spread of fruits, vegetables, dips, croissant sandwiches, pigs in a blanket, chips, salsa, and punch. Diane hung up steamers, a birthday banner, and got a 3-tiered cake.

Ron and Diane managed to invite a few of our friends, as well as, some lovely couples we met through them. Aiden teared up but I full blown cried. I shook my head in disbelief and gave them both a great big hug. This is the best party we have had since we were thirteen.

"Thank you!" I said, while letting go of them.

I looked around the crowd to spot, "Sarah!" I yelled her name and ran up to her. "I can't believe you are here!"

"Of course, I couldn't miss my best friend's and her hot twin's birthday party." She laughed and gave me a hug.

"Sometimes I worry about you, I don't think you are right in the head." I said.

"So," she began, "Is that hot guy here?"

I stood, puzzled for a moment. "What hot guy?"

"You know, Mr. Drug you and take you back to his place?" she said quietly.