September 5th, 2018 by Chelsie Pickel There are 365 days in one year. Every year our birthdays come and go. It is easy to assume we all know our birthday, but every year we pass through the day we will die without any clue when that might be. I had 18 perfectly normal September 5ths before, but that 19th one would change everything. September 5th, 2018 was the worst day of my life. That was the day my sister died. It was a Wednesday like any other. The sun shines bright as it weaves around the curtain to meet my eyes. I tumble out of bed and put on the first pair of pants and tee shirt I drew out of the laundry basket. I skip down the stairs, grab a mountain dew, and walk out the door. As I’m approaching the Walmart parking lot, I notice there is nowhere to park, like usual. I fit my car in the stall at the very outskirts of the lot and start my trek towards the front door. I get through the doors, and I’m instantly overwhelmed with the sound of squeaky wheels and children crying because they can’t get the toy they want. My walk to the backroom consisted of answering the same questions: Where would I find this? Can you point me in the direction of that? Not even on the clock yet, and my job has begun. Finally, after finishing my half marathon throughout the store I get to the back and punch in. Hours are going by, well, like hours. I was assigned to the self-checkout bullpen on the north side of the store, this was the busier side. Constant movement, “Hello, how are you doing today? Did you accidentally put that one on there twice? I can take those hangers out of the way for you.” I have to single-handedly monitor 20 customers at one time assuring they all get the assistance they need while at the same time making sure everyone is honest. It’s almost time for my last break when I notice my manager walking towards me with a familiar-looking woman. I couldn’t put my finger on it. Was she an angry customer? What did I do this time? My manager starts by asking me, “Do you know her?” Before she could finish her sentence and before I could even process what the question was the lady interrupts. “I work with your mom; your sister has been in a car accident.” These words are hollow, they hold no meaning, I had no idea what she was saying to me. How did she know my sister, and how did she know she was in a car accident? That doesn't make any sense, I just saw her the other day, no way, this was someone else. She had to have mistaken me for someone else. “Amanda?” I said after giving her a blank stare not knowing how to respond. “Yes, I already picked up Eli and took him to the hospital to meet your mom, we need to go, it’s not looking good.” My manager told me to go clock out and they would find someone to replace me later. I walk to the back, at least I assume I did, I don’t remember telling my legs to carry me there. But I must’ve because I had my backpack and I was walking out the door with my mom's coworker.
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