To H.H, thanks for the story
When Ma and Papa told her a year ago that they were moving, the girl thought that even though things would be different her brother Bear would always be there for her; cheerful, loyal and always reminding her of home. That wishful thinking was killed after the accident.
Today was moving day and tomorrow was a new home without Bear to keep her grounded, keep her in reality. The girl stood one last time in the middle of her favorite room in the house, dubbed “The Watchtower” for the telescope shaped window that seemed to allow the viewer to see for miles, and swept her gazed across the now empty room except for the grandfather clock.
Gone were the Victorian furniture and decor, the ancient oak bookcases filled with dusty time portals she visited a thousand times, all of it now sitting in boxes waiting to be opened in their new house. This was the first time she was able to be in a room that Bear had once occupied since the accident and not have a panic attack, especially this one. Everywhere she looked she saw his round little face with his big blue eyes, heard his squealing laugh and his soft breathing. She could feel her chest tightening, feel her breathing pace faster. Breathe, she thought, just think and let all the memories go into this room.
The girl took a few deep breathes and slowly opened
her eyes. She glanced at the old grandfather clock and wished it was coming with them, but her parents sold it along with the house. A closer inspection revealed a small stuffed teddy bear casually sitting on the pendulum bob.
Continue reading →
