Page 58 - Reason To Sing by Kelita Haverland

Reason To Sing

Chapter Nine

Sweet Release

We’ve been back home for a few weeks now. Home! Our real
home on the ranch. I am lying in bed beside my little sister,
staring up at the ceiling. The rustic lamp with the pink shade
casts shadows on the wall.
So much has happened to lead us back to our farm and here
we are in our beautiful house. But it’s just a big empty shell.
There is such a deep sadness. It should feel good to be back in
our own beds. To be sitting around our kitchen table, eating
breakfast. It should be fun to curl up on the fancy chesterfield,
gazing out the big window counting the cars as they go by. But
it doesn’t feel good at all. Nothing does. There are too many
shattered pieces of our hearts scattered throughout every room.
Sometimes my body feels so heavy I wonder that I can even
move.
Back in the city we could escape. Pretend. But not here.
This is where the ‘accident’ took place. This is where Daddy’s
remains were scraped and washed off the walls of our garage.
This is where I am constantly reminded there will be no more
threats. I don’t have to worry about those threats anymore.
Because they came true.
I remember him at every turn. His Ford pickup is in the
driveway, collecting dust. His well-worn cowboy boots still at
the back door. His old jean jacket hanging forlornly on the
wall. Today I was brave enough to take it down. I held it close
and I could still smell him. And I got so sad as I wondered
how long it will take until this never-ending misery fades away.

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