answers, and hoped that my voice didn’t give anything away. But my dad finally asked “So how’s Elizabeth’s dad?” I blinked away a few tears before I answered with two simple words. “He’s gone.” I waited for my dad to say something. He tried to, but only chocked on his words each time. I could hear him shuddering through muffled tears. “Oh.” He said simply. We left it at that. I didn’t say anything else and neither did he. Eventually we both hung up. It was a few hours until I could finally register the rest of the world properly again. I did call my friend within the next day or two. We didn’t say much, but I told her to call if she wanted to talk. I wouldn’t be back home for another month, and I felt helpless being so far away. School started in August and that’s when we saw each other for the first time since school ended in May. We acted normal around every one, and Elizabeth would have seemed normal to a stranger. But I could hear her strained laughter when she tried to hide it. I couldn’t help but wonder if I was like that after my mother died. Elizabeth and I went to counseling once together, and that helped a little… but not much. As far as I could tell we’re both as back to normal as we’re going to get. And that’s ok, but every now and then you can tell if she or I are thinking about our lost loved ones. Like on mother’s or father’s day. But I hope that’s just a part of grieving, that maybe our laugh won’t be so strained one day. I really do hope so. Matheson Wynnemer Grade 8 Signal Mountain Middle/High School 2650 Sam Powell Trail Signal Mountain, TN 37377 Mrs. Harwood
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