I pushed past everybody to get to Joseph. He was still screaming Martina's name. I started gasping for air but I refused to stop. I skidded into the room where Martina was but nobody was there. It was around one o'clock, so maybe everyone had gone for lunch. They were well enough.
Except for Martina.
My Ma started to scream. It echoed through the whole hospital and sent shivers down my spine. I followed the screams as they bounced off the walls in the corridors, causing people to stop and look around. Then they shrugged and went about their business. It had nothing to do with them. I ran and ran until I came to a bright red-floored hall. A nurse was standing outside a door, looking very distressed. My Ma screamed again,
and she jumped. It came from behind that door. I walked up to the nurse, waiting to pass.
"I'm sorry pet, I can't let you in there" , she said quietly.
"Why not?"
"It's...occupied."
I heard loud choking sobs that I recognised instantly as my mother's.
"Please" , I whispered. "Why is my Ma crying?"
The nurse looked at me in horror.
"Is that your poor mother?"
I nodded.
"Sit here with me a minute, pet" , she said, indicating to a window seat in the bay window across from us. She reminded me of the previous nurse who told me about Septicemia. "I'll wait with you."
I nodded again. I knew what I had to do.
The nurse turned her back to me. It was only a split second chance that I had, but I was taking it. I darted for the door and burst in. To my surprise, it was a hospital toilet. Joseph was sitting on the ground crying for all it was worth, and my Ma was doing the same into his shoulder.
I took a step forward.
"Joseph" , I whispered. "What happened? Where's Martina?"
He opened his eyes and looked at me. His eyes were welled full of tears ; you could no longer tell they were the striking green that Ma loved.
He shook his head and shut his eyes again, as if trying to escape from the world. Then Ma looked up.
"Remy? No, no darling, you shouldn't be here, not now..."
"Mam?" My voice was rising now. "Where's Martina?"
Tears started to flow more quickly down her cheeks than ever. She got up from Joseph's side and pulled me into a hug.
"Where's Martina?" , I repeated.
She hesitated, but told me six words that would haunt me forever.
"Martina's in a better place now" , she whispered softly.
Two Weeks Later
"Martina...where can I begin to describe her? My sister, my best friend, a person who I could talk to. If I was having a glum day, Martina would be there for me in an instant. I told her everything...and she listened. And then she resolved the situation by giving me "The Three Gifts" . A kiss,
a hug and a wish. The wish was for a better day, and it always worked. Martina made magic for me when I needed it most, when I needed her most. I will never ever forget her, as long as I live. She was a true spark that brightened up my day." I paused and looked at the smooth polished wood. "Say hi to Bessy for me, eh?" , I whispered. I grabbed up my papers from the stand and left the podium, brushing tears away from my eyes. Joseph and Ma were standing, waiting for me.
"That was beautiful, darling" , Ma said gently. "Martina would be very proud."
I nodded and Joseph squeezed my shoulder.
The priest closed his book. "Martina Josephine Kingsley, may you Rest In Peace."
I saw the sheen of the golden name plaque for the last time as the coffin slowly entered the ground. People started to leave, many of them pressing money into my hand or patting me on the back. I felt a bit disgusted, actually. With the money. I mean, it's not like everything's going to get better because I can buy a few things for myself. I told this to Ma.
"They're only trying to take your mind off it" , she whispered.
I felt confused. How could I take my mind off it, when I was standing right there, in the graveyard, watching my sister being left in the ground? To be buried, and to never see daylight again? And I would never see her again. I looked at Joseph.
"Can we leave now?" , I asked quietly.
Joseph sighed. "Yes" , he said. "It's upsetting us all. Go and say one last goodbye to your sister, Remy."
I did as he asked. I moved towards the hole in the ground, the coffin as clear as ever in the bottom. I stared intently at it for a second and I closed my eyes.
"I'm not sure why you did it sis, but I hope you're in a happier place now", I whispered. "I'm gonna meet up with you someday, I promise. But hey, I'm sure your mother is up there too with you, so you'll be fine until I get there. And don't forget to say hi to Bessy for me."
I blinked and my eyes let a few silent tears escape.
"And I love you."
CLINK. CLINK. CLINK.
I moaned and sat up in my bed.
CLINK. CLINK.
Pebbles were being thrown at my window, one by one. I squinted as I got up and opened the window. I peered out, and someone was standing there.
"Go home!" , I yelled. "Quit annoying me!"
"Remy, it's me!"
"Who?"
"Peter!"
I groaned. "What are you doing here? And how do you know where I live?"
"Just come outside? Please?"
"If this is the shit about saving this that and the other, then you're getting a box."
"I'll take that as a yes."
I rolled my eyes, grabbed my navy hoody to wear over my pyjamas, and tiptoed out of my room. Ma and Joseph's bedroom door was open a crack, and I couldn't resist taking a peep. I could hear Joseph snoring. Ma was a great snorer too, but I couldn't hear her.
She's probably awake, I thought guiltily. There was great tension in the house. It had been threee days since the funeral, and Ma was actually the worst out of all of us. Joseph and me privately agreed that someone needs to be with her at all times, in case she did something stupid. But I was wary of Joseph too. He let on he was coping, but I knew he was a wreck. He went to the bathroom about ten times a day. I got suspicious and listened outside the door one day, and I could hear quiet sobbing. I didn't tell Ma and I didn't tell Joseph I knew, it felt better to suffer the pain alone and in silence. It was how we were all coping. As for me, I cried myself to sleep every night. I know that sounds as if I might be an attention seeker, but I wasn't. I wasn't great at showing emotions in front of people.
I tiptoed down the stairs, opened the front door quietly and slipped outside, shutting it behind me.