Chapter Twelve
Memories
Meanwhile, Angela had made it to Fall Creek Falls and was sitting in front of one of the large waterfalls.
She looked at the tumbling water and sighed, even though she loved it as this was one of her favourite places to go to, it was also where she and Nigel spent time together.
Reaching into her bag, she pulled out a small, framed picture of Nigel in his Air Force uniform.
It had been taken when he had offically gotten his licence as a pilot.
"Here we are Nigel," she said softy, "Our favourite spot, and luckily it's quiet," she looked around, there were only a few walkers around the area and because people feared it would rain, it wasn't very crowded with tourists.
Angela looked at the photo then up at the Falls as she thought of the few memories, she had of her and her brother's special time at the Falls.
Flashback
Angela pulled her knees up to her chest as she looked at the falls.
It was a grey day as well as bit cold, but it didn't stop her and Nigel going to the Falls where they enjoyed some special bonding time together.
She shivered a little and hugged her knees tighter.
"You alright kiddo?" Nigel asked looking at his younger sister.
Angela nodded.
"Just a bit chilly." She replied.
"Awww!" Nigel chuckled and he took off his jacket and wrapped it around his little sister's shoulders.
"There!" he laughed "Better?"
"But what about you brother?" Angela asked, "Won't you be cold?"
"Oh, I'm fine!" Nigel winked "I don't feel the cold easily! And anyway, with my Air Force training, I've adapted to all kinds of weather!"
Angela laughed.
"You still working towards your dream?" she asked.
"Of course!" Nigel replied "It's in the stars! I'm set to reach for the sky and I'm gonna get there!"
"When you do, can I go with you?" Angela asked, "I'd love to fly as high as a bird!"
Nigel scootched closer to Angela and wrapped his arm around her.
"Of course Angie!" he said "I hope I can anyway! Though, I'm sure I can sneak you into the airfield one day and we can see the sunrise or the sunset from the sky! Just like those characters in 'Pearl Harbour' did!
Angela laughed as she remembered that old film with Ben Affleck.
"Won't you get into trouble if you tried?" she asked in a worried voice as she thought about that her brother said.
"Oh it would be worth it!" Nigel winked "One day I'll show you how great the sky looks! We'll soar like a couple of falcons and admire the sunrises and sunsets! Or maybe a rainbow!"
Angela grinned and was about to speak when suddenly a rumbling was heard and a few spots of rain fell.
"Uh oh!" Nigel said, "Looks like the heavens are opening!" he stood up and as he did, the rain began to pour!
Angela squeaked as the rain fell and she pulled the two coats she had on tighter around herself.
"What do we do now?" she asked.
"Don't worry squirt!" Nigel said, "I know where we can shelter!"
He picked up the rucksack he had brought with him and put it on his back then he scooped Angela into his arms bridal style, and he jumped into the pool!
Angela gasped then Nigel held her close as he waded through the water towards the waterfall where there was a small cave behind the falls.
He then climbed out of the pool and into the cave and set Angela down on some dry rocks inside.
"Whoa!" Angela cried and Nigel chuckled before taking off his trousers and shaking them out.
He was wearing some shorts underneath.
"I always come prepared sis!" he winked as he placed his wet trousers on a nearby rock.
"You sure you won't catch cold?" Angela asked.
"Nah!" Nigel winked "I got a warm heart! I'll be great fine! And anyway, I could always do some jumping press ups!"
So saying he dropped down and started doing some press-ups.
Angela laughed as she watched, and Nigel started to sing a couple of nursery rhymes as he did his press ups.
"Hey! Wanna sit on my back?" Nigel asked, "I could do with some extra weight?"
Angela looked confused.
"You sure?" she asked.
"Trust me!" Nigel reassured "I need to keep up my strength and training!"
"Okay!" Angela replied as she walked over and relaxed on Nigel's back and her brother started to continue his press ups.
"Peter Piper picked a pick of pickled pepper!" Nigel chanted but just as he finished the rhyme he fell flat on his face as the added weight of Angela on his back was too much.
Angela gasped and she jumped up off Nigel and looked down at him with concern.
"Nigel?" she cried "Big brother, are you alright?"
Nigel looked up and spat out some dirt and shook his head.
"I'm alright!" he spluttered "Hmmm, maybe I was way in over my head there!" he laughed and stood up.
"Okay!" he said, "I think that's enough trying to show off today!" he walked to the rocks and sat down, and Angela joined him.
Nigel then opened the rucksack and handed Angela some sandwiches and took some for himself out.
Angela then looked to the entrance of the cave at the falls and at the pouring rain which sounded rather soothing, the pitter patter and splashing in the water.
"It's great, isn't it?" Nigel asked, "Such beautiful sounds of nature."
Angela nodded.
"I could sit here forever." She said, "I feel at peace, and away from the hustle and bustle of the town, even though Spencer is a small town compared to the big cities, it's still noisy!"
"True!" Nigel agreed as he looked out at the pouring rain and took a bite of his sandwhich.
"Looks like it might be a while before the rain stops." He said, "We might as well sit it out, I'll text our parents."
Angela agreed and relaxed as she continued to watch the rain and enjoy the company of her brother and best friend.
End Flashback.
Angela gave a tearful smile as she remembered that day.
"You always looked after me." She said to the photo "And that cave, I can see it from where I'm sitting now, it was our little secret area where we could watch the falls and have some quiet time to talk without any eavesdropping from the tourists."
She stared back at the falling waterfall, yet as she did, she felt a few spots of rain fall on her head and she looked up to see the sky had gotten very dark.
Sensing a downpour, she quickly got up and decided to look for shelter.
She could see the same cave she and Nigel and hidden in those years back and she started to climb around the rocky areas of the pool to get to it without getting wet.
It took a few minutes as well as some careful climbing, but she soon got to the cave and as she did, the heavens opened, and rain began to pour down.
Angela settled inside the cave and watched the rain pour.
As she did, the memories came back to her as she thought about the first time, she visited the falls after her brother's funeral.
Flashback
Angela struggled to hold back her tears as she stood in the cave looking at the falls, it had been a week since Nigel's funeral and she along with her parents had scattered some of his ashes after his cremation at this very spot.
They had given him a beautiful funeral, so many people had come, as Nigel had been such a well-loved person and Angela had given a loving speech, saying how he had been such a wonderful big brother to her, and not just a big brother, but a best friend, and an inspiration and she had requested that the song 'There You'll Be' by Faith Hill was played for him as it spoke the truth about how he had been there for her, through thick and thin.
She had never stopped crying throughout the funeral, even at the wake afterwards, she wouldn't speak to anyone, and she had spent a lot of time in her room.
Luckily her High School had been understanding and had allowed her to have some time to grieve, but she knew she had to return to normality, knowing it was what Nigel would have wanted but it had been so difficult.
Luckily Solomon had been there to help and always listened if she needed a shoulder to cry on and she felt grateful to him.
He had even said he couldn't replace Nigel, but he said he was there for her if needed and Angela was grateful to him and decided to keep going to complete high school, as it was what Nigel would have wanted.
Sitting on the rocks in the cave, she sighed and watched the falls outside trying to relax as well as think of the good times with her brother.
Nigel had always told her the same thing, to keep soaring high, but right now she felt like she couldn't find her wings, and that she was grounded by her sadness.
It would take a while, but she knew she had to keep going, it was what Nigel would have encouraged her to do.
End Flashback
Angela pulled her knees up to her chest and the tears fell like the rain outside.
"Oh Nigel!" she whispered "No matter how I've tried to move on, or get on with my life, I can't stop feeling sad or angry about how you died and left me alone! You promised we would be together for always!"
She sobbed more.
"I know you wanted to follow your dreams and I supported you, and I am still proud of you! But you left! You left me behind! I didn't want to be left behind! I wanted to stay with you! I wanted to fly with you too!"
She sobbed more.
"Everywhere I am, you're here with me, and I'll always carry your memory! You were my hero! Always were and always will be!"
She hugged her knees and wept more.
Yet, she wasn't alone as she sat there mourning….
Such sweet yet sad memories for Angela as she remembers her big brother/best friend.
Yet...whose in the cave with her? Can you guess?