Prompt: Heaven.
Once upon a time
Not so long ago
Natalie doesn't believe in God or in heaven. She used to, a long time ago, back when her young mind didn't register her parents' behaviors. Back before she knew about Gabe.
She remembers standing in a warm, wooden church with incense coloring the air and curling in tendrils around the hanging lights. She remembers hearing sparkling words about an everlasting life that was waiting for her if she was good. She remembers hearing that God will bring her salvation; he will bring her heaven.
Her little self wonders if her older brother is floating in this everlasting life with little white wings and a glowing halo that surrounds his cherubic face.
'Cause it doesn't make a difference
If we make it or not
Before she turns eleven, she calls bullshit.
Along with her naivety, her happiness seems to vaporize in the air that's thick with prescriptions and lies. She doesn't remember what it's like to be happy.
(she) dreams of running away
When she cries in the night
Henry comes into her life and she feels content. The thing is, contentment isn't happiness.
After all, those who think they're happy just haven't thought about it enough.
We've got to hold on ready or not
You live for the fight when it's all that you've got
The idea of heaven that once was associated with her brother turns into resentment and anger. Because of him, because of Gabe, she'll never be happy again. He's made her heaven disappear.