Chapter One
When the police showed up at the door, I knew. They weren't there because of some stupid prank my friend and I pulled. They were there because my mother was dead.
"I'm very sorry to inform you, but your mother was in a fatal car accident."
Those words echoed in my mind with each and every passing moment. Still, I couldn't believe it. I wouldn't let myself believe it. My mom was my best friend. She was all I had. How could I go on without her? I didn't know my father, and to be honest I didn't care to.
"We are gathered here to say farewell to Lauren Anne Wilson and to commit her into the hands of God."
If he wanted to know me, he would be there with me, helping me cope with her death. But he's not and I'm here all alone.
"She died on impact."
My best friend, Tyler, tried to comfort me. But it's not something you can understand until you have to go through it yourself. He was there for me, though, so that did manage to comfort me a little. He was all I had left.
"In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
I visibly shuddered and tried to contain my tears. Beside me, Tyler comfortingly squeezed my hand. I was never known to cry, I was supposed to be tough, and I knew it was tearing Tyler up to see me like this.
Forcing myself to zone out, I sat back in my seat and pulled on the hem of my dull black dress, just wanting to spring out of my seat and run all the way home. I couldn't deal with this.
"From dust you came, to dust you shall return. Jesus Christ, is the resurrection and the life." I clenched my jaw and closed my eyes, willing myself to wake up. I wanted all of this to be a dream. It was a horrible nightmare I couldn't wake myself up from.
A stray tear trickled down my cheek as I rested my head on Tyler's shoulder, I didn't bother to wipe it away.
I don't know how long I sat like that, trying my best to ignore my surroundings. It seemed impossible, the priest's subdued but powerful voice bounced off of very corner of the church. I couldn't bear to look at her coffin. It seemed that if I did, everything would actually be set in stone.
Her death would be, at least. My future was uncertain. I had nowhere to go. They were looking for my father, but I didn't know what I would do if I had to leave Tyler and move in with a complete stranger.
The rest of my mother's funeral was a blur at best. I did not shed anymore tears. Mom wouldn't want me to. Just like Tyler, she wouldn't want to see me in such a state.
Before this, I was such a happy, chipper person. Hell, just hours before the police were knocking on my door; Tyler and I were planning our night out, wondering how much trouble we could get ourselves into.
Such few words that probably didn't mean that much to the police had broken me. They reduced me to a lifeless, unfeeling heap. How would I ever get better from this? My mother was ripped away from me. I needed her and she was gone forever.
