My mother let out another raspy cough. Her shaky hands crept up to her necklace, and she unclasped the hook. My mother's frail, pale hand held mine as she reached out with her other hand to place her necklace in my palm.
"Wear this after I'm gone," Layla Heartfilia said hoarsely. My eyes watered just thinking about my mother leaving the world. I shook my head vigorously.
"No, Mama. You'll beat the sickness. There's still so much I want to do with you," I sobbed. I tightened my grip on Mama's hand as if it would prevent her from dying.
"Lucy, darling, don't cry. I'll get through this," My mother promised. I held out a pinky and Mama held out hers. We hooked our pinkies together. Small tears splashed onto my wrist.
The next morning, I woke up to frantic yells and heavy footsteps. Unaware of the situation, I gripped Mama's necklace and my teddy bear tight in my arms.
"Papa, what's going on?" I asked. Papa seemed urgent so his answer was not clear.
"She left," Was all he said. Who's gone?
I shrugged off the bad feeling i had.
Maybe I should go visit Mama, I thought.
My smalls hands pushed open the wide doors, and I bounced in, excited to see and talk to Mama.
"Mama? Are you awake?" I asked as my eyes wandered around her room. All I saw was a white sheet over something but I did not know what.
Hm where did Mama go? I'll go ask Papa.
I left Mama's bedroom and skipped off to find Papa. I found my father in his office with his face buried in his hands.
"Papa?"
He looked up and stared at me with sad eyes.
"Yes, dear?" He replied.
"Where's Mama?" I asked. Papa's face suddenly changed from surprise to anger to sadness.
"She's up there now," Papa said quietly. At first, I thought he meant Mama was upstairs in her room.
"No, Mama is not in her room," I said. Papa sighed and shook his head.
"She passed away, Lucy. Last night," He finally told me straightforward. I froze.
I didn't know how I was feeling.
Sad?
Angry?
Confused?
I finally broke down crying.
"M-mama promised me she would stay strong," I wailed. Papa did not try to comfort me as he was also in despair.
The next day, July 8, X777 was the day of the funeral. I stood next to Papa under his black umbrella. I was wearing black like everyone else at the funeral. I clasped Mama's necklace around my neck and tucked it under my dress. The surface of the salmon colored jewel was ice cold. I shuddered at the touch of the necklace. While everyone was busy sobbing, I couldn't even drop one tear.
It was like I cried out all my tears the day before. I had no more tears now.
From that day on, I lost all emotions. I had an expressionless face and talked monotonously.