Things Change

I kicked the dirt in front of me. How I longed for the waves to lap at my feet. How I longed for sunny days. But that was all gone. At least from here. Ever since my Grandmother died, well, things just haven't been the same. The horses have been restless without her hands to calm and pet them. The birds have sung less. And even the flowers are drooping. But it is that time of year. Autumn. Most flowers look droopy anyway.

"Megan!" That's Grandfather. He's trying, but he needs a rest. He has been running the whole house ever since, you know.

"Coming," I shout back. I push back my golden caramel hair. Running towards him, my green speckled blue eyes notice my sister on the swings. She never met Grandma. She doesn't know the sorrow we feel. She tries to, she really does, but there aren't any memories for her to think of. It was only a few months ago when she passed on, but we never came to visit much. Not before Mom decided Grandpa needed help.

Inside, a whole meal has been set out. After I wash up for dinner and get my sister to come in, I try to engage in conversation with the adults, but nothing is interesting. Then, I try and talk to my sister, Ellie. She just keeps speaking about how after dinner, she is going to get her dolls ready for a party by doing their hair, dressing them up, yadda yadda yadda. Girly doll parties, out. News about the latest stuff going on at work, or storms, or other adult stuff, out. With only myself to entertain me, I decide to think about Grandma.

Five months ago, about two months before the... incident, we went to the park. Just me and her. The picnic we had that afternoon had sandwiches, watermelon, biscuits, grapes, carrots, and for dessert my Grandmothers famous apple pie.

The afternoon turned into evening, but we stayed well after everyone was gone. It was getting chilly, with the bitter winds and all, so Grandmother gave me her jacket. I asked if she would be could, and she said, "Honey, my days are numbered. Might as well live a little." She was right. Just two months later, and she is dead. Oh how I miss her.

As I pull myself back to reality, picking at my green beans, it hits me how she was a big part in everyone's life. The hairdresser down the street, I remember whenever we would go to get me trimmed, she would always slap down an extra twenty dollars, just as a tip. The cashiers at the market, she always bought more than enough food so they would get paid more, then she would put any extra she didn't need in the food bank bucket. Me, she would always take me on trips. Sometimes to the park or fair, or even to a new state. She would also always pay for my summer camps, no matter how many or how much it was. But most of all, Grandpa and Mom. They had loved her far longer than anyone I knew. Longer than the hairdresser, longer that the grocery store cashiers, and far longer than me. I was only born eleven years ago.

After dinner, while Ellie plays with her dolls, I go up to bed. After I tuck myself in, I begin to drift off. That night, I dream that Grandmother came back in a different form as her favorite animal, a cat. I follow her through the meadows and woods just beyond the fence of our house.

The following morning, I open my eyes to the blinding light coming in from the shades on the window. I don't feel light facing the light and sleepiness of the morning, so I pull the covers up above my head. When I finally decide to overcome it, still i my night clothes, I go to wake up Grandpa, who is usually a later sleeper.

When I don't find him in his room, I go and find Mom out back holding a shovel. I find out she has dug up a hole next to where Grandma was buried.

"Where is Grand-" my words get cut off and lost in my throat as I see his body lying in the dug up hole. I guess his days were numbered too.

I start crying. My mother holds me in her arms and looks me in the eyes. I see her eyes are red and puffy from crying too.

She tells me it is alright, but I barely hear her over my sobbing. I start to wonder if Ellie knows, but then I see her a little ways away feeding the horses.

Mom tries to cheer me up, but it's hard to believe when she's crying too. Then I know it. They're gone for good.