Sam sat in somber silence next to her sobbing sister as the nurse-aids placed the sheet over their mother's face and offered their empty condolences. Pam Puckett had passed away shortly after Melanie arrived. It didn't seem fair, Pam was too weak to even say goodbye. Sam could count on one hand the number of times her mother had told her that she loved her. And now that would forever be true. Sam was never much of a crier, when she was sad she would simply just shut down emotionally. Sam glanced over at her sister, she was a mess, makeup running, ponytail disheveled, and in most cases Sam would tease her twin sister. "This is why I don't bother with makeup," or "Bad hair day?" she'd say. But in this moment it broke her, tears began to swell up in her eyes as she observed her sister's distress. As different as they were, Melanie was now the only family Sam had left that wasn't locked up. She couldn't take it anymore. She held her sister tight as they wept together.
Freddie returned from the vending machine in the hallway. He had gone to get Sam and Melanie some fatcakes, hoping it would help at least a little to have some comfort food. But when he turned the corner he saw the sisters huddled together, bawling. Now wasn't a good time. Just then his phone buzzed in his pocket.
Brad: Hey, are the girls okay?
Brad: Is Pam…
She's gone. I think it's still setting in ?
Wish I could do more.
Brad: Me too bro. But can you do me a favor?
Sure man, what is it?
Brad: Come pick me up. I let Melanie take my car but Melanie didn't leave me her keys.
Why did you give her your keys if she has a car?
Brad: I dunno, it looks good in the movies.