Chapter 1: Untimely Death
It was a gloomy Wednesday afternoon when Quinn and Festus Fabray decided to fish on the nearby lake. They were in the middle of catching a fish when Quinn received a call.
"Hello?"
"Oh hello Miss Fabray, this is Shelby Smith, I'm a doctor…" The woman on the phone said.
"Oh doctor, how may I help you?"
"I am sorry to inform you that your parents have passed away. They had a terrible car accident a few hours ago and they were rushed in this hospital but they were dead on arrival."
After she heard it, tears started flowing out of Quinn's eyes, "Doctor this must be some kind of a mistake."
"No Miss Fabray, we found your parent's IDs and we called the operator to connect with you, I'm really sorry for your loss. We tried our best but they died in the ambulance."
"What is happening? Why are you crying?" Festus asked.
She held her hand out in front of Festus' face and said, "Later Festus I will tell you, where can we find them? Please doctor we really want to see them…" Then Quinn started crying.
"They are here in St. Peters hospital here in Iowa"
"Thank you doctor, we'll go there as soon as we can. Thanks goodbye."
"What's happened Quinnie?" Festus asked again.
Quinn kneeled to face Festus, she met his eye then said, "Mom and dad, they're gone. They had a terrible accident and both of them died on their way to the hospital." Quinn sobs.
"Oh my," Festus then started crying and said, "You're joking. Let's go to the Hospital. They're joking."
"Let's go to the St. Peters Hospital, the doctor said they were rushed there"
The two went to the hospital hoping to see their parents for the last time. As they reached the place and entered the room, both of them just cried. They didn't imagine it to be like this, all they know is that their parents would be with them for a long time, it was too soon. Then a minute or two later, a woman in corporate attire approached them.
"Excuse me; are you the children of Mr. and Mrs. Fabray?" The woman asked.
"Ohm yes, they are our parents." Festus answered. "Who are you?"
The woman introduced herself and said, "I'm Frieda Anderson, your parent's lawyer."
"Oh that's why you look familiar," Quinn answered.
Quinn usually sees her whenever there are legal problems to be solved in their family's tire shop. She has been the company's lawyer since it started. She is the daughter of the former mayor of their town but people rarely see her.
"Yes, I am here to inform you the legal matters that your parents and I have discussed." Frieda added with a little bit of hesitation that the kids might not understand. "So okay, they told me to bring you two in custody of your closest relatives. I am pleased to inform you that I found the best adapters for the both of you. "
"Really? I'm sorry ma'am but this is just so fast, our parents just died and…" Festus muttered, "it's really hard for us and especially for me."
Festus has always been the sensitive one because he's been really close to their parents. Being a 12 year old he doesn't want to be separated from his family.
Quinn then pats Festus' back and said, "It's going to be okay kiddo. We can handle this. So ma'am who is this adopter you're talking about?"
"I have to say, I really tried my best to find you adopters," Frieda said "but I'm sorry to inform you two that you will be adopted separately and in a week you two will be sent to each of them."
"What? I can't do this, Quinn and I will be going together." Tears began to form in Festus' eyes, and then he ran towards the front door of the Hospital. Quinn just stood in front of Frieda, shocked to see Festus like this.
"I'll handle this ma'am and thank you for your concern." Quinn smiled and said, "but where are you going to send us?"
"I'm going to send Festus to London, England. You have an uncle who lives there and his name is Mr. Reynolds. While you Quinn I'm sending to California. Your mother has a cousin named Aunt Sue who lives there. I've already contacted them and they are waiting for your arrivals."
"Oh thank you ma'am, I appreciate it." Quinn and Frieda shook hands.
"You're welcome Miss Fabray but I'm sorry I have to go, I'm going to fly back to L.A. for my other clients but I will return next week."
"Thank you very much. Come on I'll escort you outside ma'am"
Quinn and Frieda talked on the way out. Frieda even told stories about how their parents planned everything for Quinn and Festus in case they pass away. Then as soon as Frieda left Quinn went to find Festus. She found him on the terrace of the said Hospital.
"You know our parents really do love us, they never even thought about their death all they think about is our safety in case they passed away." Quinn said and Festus faced her.
"It's just too fast for me. Our parents just passed away then someone will say that we are going to be separated from one another. It's just too much."
Festus then was just twelve years old, and Quinn is already nineteen years old and they are really close to one another. They're parent's raised them in country side living. Their family is conservative especially with life values and they don't even let Quinn wear jeans. They always make her dress decently. They are rich family but they live a simple life. Quinn and Festus is used to working in the field because their dad trained them while their mom is a baker and has her own bakeshop.
"It's going to be okay, you will be sent to London." Quinn forces a smile to comfort her brother, "Aren't you a big fan of the Harry Potter Series? Now you get to live in there." Quinn said then they both chuckled. "You see it's not going to be that bad."
"I guess so." Festus muttered.
"Do you remember what mom used to say, 'No matter what happens, you two should always help each other. Supporting one another that is what brotherhood and sisterhood are all about.' We can do this Festus, let's be brave and strong, we lost our parents but we never lost each other right?" Quinn tried to make her brother stronger, but on the inside she's still sad for the lost of their parents.
"I remember, she always says that whenever we are arguing with each other."
"Yeah, and now each other is the only thing left we have left so let's be strong kiddo." Quinn wiped Festus' tears from his face.
"Okay, we only have one week together so let's try to enjoy our only time together."
"Okay come on but before that let's take care of the paper works for our parents first, then let's drop by the store for some ice cream. " Quinn smiled.
Both of them were really emotional that night yet they tried to be strong for each other.
The whole week came by so quickly. They held their parent's funeral for three days and some of their close relatives paid a visit. Their parent's was buried in a cemetery near their house, it was the best place because in that way they can visit their parents once in a while.
Now the time came where Quinn and Festus had to say goodbye to each other. They were really emotional because they never imagined that they will be separated from each other but his flight schedule was a little earlier than Quinn's so his plane boarded hours. Quinn was left with Frieda. Quinn was really sad then Frieda called her attention.
"Hey Quinn I have something to give you. You're mother asked me to give this to you." Frieda held out a golden necklace with a pendant of a broken heart, it was not actually a broken heart, it was a half heart." Then Frieda puts it around Quinn's neck.
"Wow, thank you Frieda for everything, for the adoption papers and everything." Quinn held out the necklace and she noticed an engravement at the back of the necklace. Best was the word engraved at the back of the pendant.
"What is this?"Quinn points at the back of the pendant.
"Ohm yes that was a gift from your mother's best friend when they were still in High School, your mom told me about that story and she said that they had a promise that they would give their necklaces to their children in the future to preserve their friendship."
"Oh you mean Mrs. Evans?"
"Yes that's her name, now I remember."
Then they heard over the PA. Passengers of Flight 107 please head down to the north entrance. Your flight will board in 20 minutes.
"Oh that's your flight; you should go board the plane."
"Thank you so much Frieda." Then Quinn hugs Frieda and she boarded the plane.
