ALI

do you me

rds aren't making any sense to me. It's

cked that I am yelling at her

she passed peacefully this morning," Mrs. Shep

get into a car accident," I ask, a bit

officer, this time with a s

st her battle this morning," she says

er battle? Was she in a fight with someone? Finally, th

counselor. Were you aware that your mom was sick,"

ad slowly bef

ts, and I'm typically busy with work or soccer," I

't notice her mother is sick. Sick enough to die? What kind of daughter doesnt ask her

she hears my words,

do your enrollment paperwork, she apologized, saying she forgot because the treatments were

s, her constantly leaving the house claiming it was the casino keeping her

se the control I have on my tears and let them fall down my face

patting and rubbing the available places on my

pain? Why didn't she tell me? Other peopl

d me are also sniffling with me. As the sobs finally leave my tired b

when I see him before running straight for his arms. He is now my closest friend, my o

egs give out slowly, allowing us to sink to the carpet. He starts petting

ne. My body feels like it is seizing with

urned 18, and I was already alo

starts whispering nice things to me. I feel the breeze of wind on my butt, but I d

ame cologne every day, and it has become my favorite smell. Ryan buckles my seatbel

to have to go inside the place where I last saw my mom alive-the pl

ell me," I whisper so softl

**

. I just want to wrap myself in my mom's blankets. I don't even care that I will end up sme

rl into the blankets. I feel a pa

ng, but he doesn't try to touch me. He just s

sks softly, and I inhale d

hisper, and the truth of

r a few moments befor

your stuff is. My dad is totally right. It would be best if you came ho

someone is making plans for me when I can't. Plans wil

dull but tidy room. I don't want Ryan having to touch my underwear and bras, so I qu

w minutes, to which he instantly complies. I spend a long time in the shower crying and scrubbing my skin. I braid my

nt. He doesnt try to make me feel

o me. He notices when anyone has problems.

s me to a guest room that I hav

e covered in family pictures. It screams warmth and love, unlike

e bedside table and orders Ryan to the kitchen

ing else," she asks me wi

y day I studied in this house. I instantly feel gu

whisper while stari

hree children's. She rubs my back bef

AN

to the kitchen in silence. I can't help b

inutes before she comes in a

mom says softly, and we all star

did Nat's mom pass," I ask after I fi

hem at the beginning of the year she was battli

ld have said something," I say with a high-pitched

not share her condition with her only daughter," dad

see how they are doing, and th

ng Stacy's back quietly b

we should do," mom asks

who always has the great ideas. He is the p

er mom's stuff in storage. Until yall graduate this year. I know she takes school seri

f-sufficient, but I know she will get overloaded with soccer,

strokes the ba

says, and we all

y-

r head while w

"y

e will be no sex in this house. You are not married. And I don't care if you are both 18. There won't be

open as I sta

on THAT at the moment," I stutter w

in a few months, it might be,"

in until my wedding ni

have always planned my life that way. I want those inti

m says while looking proud she go

o stay, and we help her the best we

rn to end the meeting," mom

r's hands as Stacy be

She is sad without her mom. She doesn't have anyone now. T

der to how drastically my best friend's life changed today. It seems like this morning was ye

t, she said it all with her few words. We have a bunch

my food. I don't want to play video games

ed. What if she hurt herself? What if something is happening? I decide I should peek in to make su

to a tight ball. I walk over and take her shoes off her feet. I pull the blankets out from under her very slowly and cover her trembling

e for you," I whisper aloud

it a night even though it is only 8. I hear a

I ask, immedi

d she might fight the help we try to give her. I want you to prepare y

rson through grief. Your mom read them whe

Dad," I

nd stretches ou

ard you might need new perfume," dad

to lighten the mood,

bably overuse it again and have Stacy

meeting my eyes wi

ay. We will celebrate her birthday tomorrow. If she wants

o cry in front of my dad. My dad knows I'm a sen

will be a bett