The time came. Andi was asleep. Practice has been hard on him. I saw Mom just standing outside, looking out at the Valley. Tears came flooding from my eyes when she saw Death. I remember him from Dixie’s time. Mom…no…please. Mom, please. The words never came out.
Andi came shambling out behind me while I sobbed. I guess his gut instinct must’ve woken him. He looked like HELL. My heart fragments shattered into a thousand pieces as he stared blankly at our mother’s lifeless body, the Reaper’s Scythe over her like an omen.
I saw the moment it hit him. Rage and anger that I had never seen before in my brother came out and lashed at the Reaper. I had to leave. Tears slipped down my cheeks as his angry words did nothing to the hooded deity, his sobs echoing in my ears. She was gone…
Life goes on. We went to school, said nothing to anyone. Andi threw himself into earning Scouting badges. I didn’t tell him that Dixie came for a visit the night Mom passed. I petted her and told her to look after Mom for us. Chores, grades, and worry plagued my mind..
Andi still refused to talk to me. I felt so alone and helpless. Had I lost both my twin and my mother in the same night? Even the animals needed their own time and space. Cosmo slept constantly, growling in his sleep. Zoey tried to comfort Andi. It didn’t help.
Andi and I still aren’t speaking. We got in with a group of kids at school, had a bit of a New Year’s shindig…got into the bar. We just had 1 drink each I swear! Both Dixie and Mom showed up. Mom never seems happy when her ghost is around. Still, I am trying…I really am Mom, I promise.
The Babbling Brook 