Childhood Story

Young Death

As my eyes fell upon the sign outside of the church my mind became detached from my body. Looking around and feeling lost I read aloud in a whisper to myself, "May our beloved depart us in peace." A chill was sent up my spine and I shivered while watching the snow flakes surrounding me drift into the crowds of people walking in eerie silence towards the church as if in slow motion. The white tights I had on under my navy blue and velvet dress felt itchy against my smooth, eight year old skin. Adding to this uncomfort, my heart felt heavy, weighing down my chest, and continuing to beat unlike so many others.

My mom tightly grasped my hand to cross the parking lot as if I was going to run away and she lead me through the doors into the service. Upon entering the front room of the service my eyes wandered up and looked at the walls and tables set up with picture frames, photo albums, and picture collages of my smiling coach Rebecca, her mom, and her friend Kate. I strained to stand on the tippy-toes of my shiny new church shoes, as to see around and maybe even over some of the crowd that surrounded me. Finally a familiar face besides the one of my mother appeared beside me when my friend Brittany grasped my hand gently and asked if we could sit next to each other during the service. "Yes", I replied blankly, in a sort of monotone trance. Brittany would not care if I cried. She would even hug and reassure me that everything would be okay like she had done on so many other occasions; her being a year older but still my best friend.

The crowd started making its way into the church and my mom, still holding my hand, pulled me along with the group. I managed to reach out and grab Brittany's hand at the last second before we were separated by a group of teary-eyed friends of Rebecca and Kate bustling into church seats. When my mom, Brittany, her parents, and I were seated we just sat there none of us daring to speak while others made their way into the church and then finding seats. I let out a sigh and my arms and legs just hung there off the church bench and off my shoulders, my back hunched, and my expression one of deep thought. I finally dared to look around, taking in my surroundings; flowers were draped softly over benches, aisles, and banisters throughout the church. Their soft and familiar scent calmed my nerves and my mind was able to stop spinning.

When all had settled, a balding man in a stiff gray suit with the same circular deep blue eyes of that of Rebecca made his way up to the podium next to the church alter. "Hello everyone, I am so grateful for you all to be here with us today as we greive the loss of Rebecca, my daughter, Caroline her mother and my wife, and Katie, Rebecca's best friend." He paused as tears welled up in his eyes. His voice shook as he continued, "The tragedy that took place only four days ago has had a great effect on so many of our lives, and it is comforting to know that we have others to mourn with. At this time I would like to open up the podium and microphone to anyone that has departing words for our beloved here." And with the last sentence he brought his arm out from behind the podium and waved it to the four open caskets that laid slightly off to the side in front of the alter. Rebecca and her mother's long bright blonde hair took on such a great contrast to the short, spiky brown hair of Kate. Each of their arms laid content at their sides, backs as straight as a board, skin covered with a bronzer mask as to hide their pale corpses. Upon stepping down from the podium more people stood