Memories

Noah and I waited in the halls of the hospital, pacing back and forth waiting on the doctors. Silence trails my mind making the moment more dreadful as each minute passes.

"You should rest a bit. I don't know how much longer she'll be in there." Said Noah.

I look at my brother and he gave me a reassuring look.

"Thanks, but I can't rest easy knowing mom is still not out yet" I replied.

Just then the doctor walks through the door and towards us…

As I packed my belongings, my picture frame drops to the floor. I got off my bed and picked up the fallen frame. It was a picture of my mom and I when I was little. It's been weeks since the incident and all that's been running through my mind were those same words that has been winding themselves up like a song played on repeat…

"I'm sorry to have to say this, but your mother took a bludgeoning hit to the head when she fell. Seems like she gave up the strength to fight on. I'm sorry but there's nothing else we can do.."

"Mira are you almost ready?" My brother calling out to me waiting in the living room. I snapped back to reality when I hear my brother call for me. "Just a minute." I replied.

I walked out to the living room and just then the front door opens and in "he" comes.

"What the hell are you doing here? I thought you'd be gone already" he said as he gave a disgusted look towards Noah. My brother replies back stating that he will be leaving soon, taking me with him. The thought clicked into my father's head and suddenly he exclaims "like hell you are! You can leave all you want, but she stays!"

My brother, in annoyance, looks to him and says "she is a grown adult, she will leave with me if she wants to. You don't have a say in this."

My father, upset, gets up off the sofa and heads to my brother's direction. He grabs my brother's collar and makes it clear that I will not be going with him. Noah shoves his hands off throwing them down. "She'll only end up like mom if she stays." With that being said, my father opens his mouth to say something, but stops himself as he lets out a low breath and heads off to his bedroom.

"You didn't have to say that to him." I said to my brother, as seeing how that was uncalled for to only him responding back with "yea, well he deserves it. Let's go." And with that, we went on our way.

As we made our way to the front of the building, I took another look back at the place I had called home for so long. Tears started to form and roll down my cheek as the memories my mom and I had came flooding through my mind. I look at the steps we use to sit on as we ate ice cream before heading inside to hide it from Noah, or else we would've never heard the end of it. The sidewalk where I use to play hopscotch and jump rope while my mom watched and so much more. So much time has passed and yet everything ended in a blink of an eye. Every moment with her was the best. She made my life full of happiness, where I couldn't even return the favor back. And now I never will get the chance.

Fast forward a couple months and I'm already settled into this luxury apartment I share with my brother. I'm basically left alone as Noah travels a lot for work. A little life update on me, I was finally able to get myself a job in marketing. Not really my first choice but it pays decent.

I have to say, it feels different starting over in a new city. The town filled with unfamiliar places and people. I'm still adjusting myself to seemingly try to fit in and find my place here.

I stroll through the city and as the day comes to an end and night starts to fall, I see an empty bench at a park and made my way there. As I sat there; my mind blank, I closed my eyes to let in the cool earthy breeze and just take in this moment. The moment of peace. I opened my eyes and was met with the most beautiful sunset in front of me. I stared out into the horizon and for the first time in months, my mom pops up in my head. "Mom…" I whispered, letting out a soft sigh. A cry lets out and I feel myself breaking all over again. She would've loved this..

As my mental breakdown was ongoing, a man helped himself next to the empty seat next to me. I try to compose myself and don't dare look at him to save myself the embarrassment. Without saying a word, he hands me a handkerchief. I took it and slowly turned to thank him.

I feel time freeze as I locked eyes with him and he looks at me with sad eyes and then a reassuring smile.

"Jae.." I gasped.

"I'm sorry. I noticed you from afar and wanted to come say hi but-"

He cuts off his sentence and just looks at me comfortingly.

"I figured you needed a shoulder to cry on" he then continues.

The moment goes silent and for the rest of the night he stayed by my side; not asking any questions, but just.. there.