Imagine Painting the Sky

Fifteen year old Rowan and her older brother Gabriel used to live in Gig Harbor, Washington. They used to have a father who was considered one of the happiest people you've ever met. They used to go to Gig Harbor High School. They used to be miles away from their bitter, cherry lipstick wearing mother. For Rowan, things couldn't have been better. She was happy.

But when their dad dies suddenly in a car accident, nothing seemed so perfect anymore. Rowan's dad is gone, and she's sent to Colorado to live with her Mom, Isobel. Isobel is the sort of person who makes her boyfriend buy her a convertible, complains over running out of red lipstick, and thinks having kids around will make her look too old and give her a bad public image.

It only took three seconds, they told me. He was in no pain. It was over fast. They patted my shoulder, nodded to Gabriel and pushed us out. And just like that, Dad was gone. There were no questions. No answers. No tears no words. No thoughts. No pain. Just loss. A heavy weight pushing on my chest that drove me into the ground until I couldn't move. Not that I ever wanted to.