Chance Jones didn't know why everyone so was sad. For the past few weeks, the feeling hung heavily in the air. Her parents tried to hide it behind a smile and told her that everything was fine, but nothing could convince her fully. She did everything to make everyone happy, to make the feeling go away. Pretty pictures, silly stories or words that just pop into her head. But nothing she did work.
The feeling continued to grow, until one night the sound of the phone ringing stirred her from her slumber. Moments later her parents were shaking her awake. They had to see grandpa was all they said as they carried her to the car. The entire car trip was quiet, not even the cd that made her fall asleep played. The 7-year-old watch the night world pass by with interest. Not caring that everything is a blur, or that she's in nothing but her pajamas. To her this was an adventure, and in the end of this night car trip, she'll be able see her favorite person outside of her dad.
The car slowly rolls up to the first parking space. Chance grins, her eager hands unbuckle the seat belt. Then she made her way toward the front door. She ignores the overpowering sent of bleach that assaults her nose as she skips past the reception desk and down a hallway. She doesn't need any help to find the room anymore. She's been her so many times that she now knows the way by heart. She reaches for the door knob but pause to look at her parents trailing behind her. Her father, carrying her sleeping brother, nods with a somber look. Her step-mother talks quietly to the nurse next to her. She smiles, and pushes open the door.
The white florescent lighting was replaced with a crackling fire. It's dancing flames casting shadows along the walls and furniture. She looks around, trying to find her grandpa. Her gaze passing over the sword on the mantle, the little squishy statue and a picture of her and grandma when she was a baby.
"Chance… I'm glad you came." Her grandpa's voice croak from the opposite wall. She turns toward where she heard the voice. It is there she found her grandpa in his bed, the blue comforter covering most of his body.
"Grandpa!" she chirps. She skips toward the bed, but stops just as she got close enough to see without her glasses. Her grandpa's skin was pale, the moonlight streaming form the window made almost made it take on a soft glow. His ragged breathing now more apparent to her. She frowns and asks.
"Grandpa? Are you sick?" A smile creep on his bearded face, but it seems to take a great effort for him to do so.
"I am… but don't worry, I'm going to get better… real soon." He pauses, taking a few shallow breaths then said. "Now come closer. There's something I want to give you." Chance nods. She walks slowly until she's right next to him. She places her hand next to his. Her grandpa skeletal hand lifts slightly, revealing a sealed envelope before it drops. Chance instinctively held the hand. Her eyes widen when she felt how cold her grandpa's skin was when he began to wheeze.
"My sweet flower, My little Chance. There will come a day when you feel crush by the burden of modern life, and your spirit will fade before a growing emptiness. Only then will you be ready for this gift." His hand began to tremble as she picks the envelope up with her free hand. She turns it, the purple wax that seals it glistens. His breathing is now farther apart, using what little strength he had left he squeeze her hand.
"Promise me you won't open it till then." He croaked. She looks at him; tears are now starting to make their selves known.
"I Promise Grandpa." She nods. Her grandpa relaxes into an easy smile. His eyes droop down to a close.
"Good… Now, let Grandpa rest." He exhales. His breathing grows shallower and shallower. Until finally, his chest fallen still and his hand slips out of hers.
"grandpa?" Chance called. No response. She moves closer to her grandpa's shoulders and shook it.
"Grandpa?" Nothing. She drops the letter, using both hands to shake her grandpa's stiffening body. Tears are now flowing in an endless stream, blinding her further.
"Grandpa wake up! Mom, Dad, someone help him!" Her step mother gentle hands struggle to tear the crying Chance from her grandpa's body. But she refuses to go as she continues to shake her grandpa. Not wanting to believe that he is gone. Her desperate cries echo through the room. "Grandpa, Grandpa!"