Meteor Girl

By Schuyler Thorpe

All around nerd, gamer, and comic book aficionado Danielle "Chase" Masterson's life used to be pretty simple and straight forward until a school field trip to the EMP in Seattle dropped a meteorite crystal in her lap.

Now she has all these cool abilities and powers gifted by an alien presence within the crystal going by the name of Canus. (Cain for short.)

For the past month, she's been on a crash course diet in getting ready for her first big intro into the world of super heroes for real. But things were a lot more complicated than the girl first realized. For one thing, the crystal can only give her one power or ability at one time. And Cain hasn't been very forthcoming on other things of vital importance--complicating things greatly.

But as time marches on, Danielle is caught up in a web of obsession surrounding her ailing mother. And no matter what happens, the girl can never catch a break or find a solution to the ongoing problem of her incarceration–until a lucid dream experience lands Danielle in the thick of things, and the teen girl finally discovers the awful truth behind her mom's problems and the sacrifice she is willing to make just to be with her only daughter.

For Danielle, it's a chance for her to be finally reunited with the person she's missed the most, but the decision involved will mean the end of one life and the start of another.

What will the choice be?
 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Schuyler Thorpe
• Release date: Feb 14, 2019
• ISBN: 9781386008842

Schuyler Thorpe

Married 16 years with a few cats and one dog. Living in Everett, Washington.

Book preview

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either a product of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

For every girl who dreams of being a super hero.

Chapter One

I spat up some blood; a real good loogie mixed with acid bile and basically pretty much everything else. 

So far, my first week as a super hero pretty much sucked eggs. This extra-terrestrial meteor-thingy stopped communicating with me telepathically the day before yesterday, leaving me in a lurch.

I certainly couldn’t go on like this, no matter how much things hurt. And believe me...they hurt.

Every bone in my body screamed from the torrential impact from falling thousands of feet through the air, one of my most brilliant escapades ever. Flying and heat vision with six degrees of invulnerability... Basically, I was either going to be Super Girl from that old TV show or my favorite heroine in the comic book world, Ms. Marvel.

But the meteor was damned picky about which super-hero ability I could use and which one was the most cherished. Right now, it was invulnerability and hitting the ground with such force had given me a horrendous migraine from which I could still see stars and feel the world spinning beneath my feet. I was going to throw up: right here; right now and everyone was going to see it.

Well...almost everyone. Somehow, I ended up in one of the city parks of a no-name town that I colloquially called Townsville, from that Powerpuff Girls anime saga that was popular in Japan and recently been streamed on Hulu.

My ears were ringing from the impact. I tasted nothing but blood and iron in my mouth and I was certain that I was a few inches away from Death’s door.

I groaned softly and tried to move, shutting my eyes against the pain in my head and wishing that being invulnerable meant not feeling anything but a kind of blessed release from this mortal coil of mine.

I mean...come on! Superman didn’t feel pain; why should I?

An aggravated sound erupted from the pits of my stomach, clawing its way up into my throat. I tried to sound pissed and angry, but nothing intelligible was coming out.

Fine. Be that way. - At least I could still think, which made me realize I was indeed alive and functioning, but every part of my body was disconnected from my brain.

Urrgh...? The surprised sound came from my mouth and I licked my lips, issuing a painful sigh. My lungs hurt. My heart hammered in my chest, giving rise to the blood pounding in my ears.

Oh yes...I was most certainly going to be feeling this one tomorrow morning...provided that I could come up with a suitable excuse for my absence from biology class today.

You tried to chase the bad guy but your powers petered out at the last possible second.

In a plane; in a goddamned getaway plane. One of those Cessna models that you hear about in crowded airports. The type that my uncle took my brother and me on for a fishing trip to the San Juan Islands last year, leaving me perpetually stoked that I would have bragging rights. Hopefully it would also give me bonus points to impress Gerald Fortier, the guy I had been ogling over in class for the past three months and trying to gain his attention. That guy; the seventeen-year-old math wizard supreme.

I closed my eyes and let out another painful breath. Somehow, I had to get up and get going. Those sirens I heard in the distance would soon be many and before I knew it...police.

I didn’t need to get them involved. Not yet anyway. Not till I tracked down what’s-his-name. Julius Carson; Johnny Cochran to his contacts. A known pusher and mover of rare goods and the occasional fence, but nothing that explained his sudden interest in the Cat’s Eye Diamond, or the Good Hope Ruby.

The pain in my body eased slightly with each passing second, while I fingered the necklace that I had ordered from an online supplier two weeks back and fused the meteorite part to the metal. The meteorite crystal itself still emanated a soft pulsing light yellow, morphing to green, then back to yellow again.

The consciousness driving the meteorite crystal called itself Canus, after the Dog Star constellation. I simply called him Cain; fitting for a backstabbing bastard of an alien who only thought about himself.

How he got there remained a mystery even to me, but no amount of cajoling had persuaded him (it) to reveal his secrets.

I coughed a couple of times, the pain throbbing in my back, especially around the shoulder blades after I landed on a rock outcropping and pulverized the part of it with pure force. The rest of it lay in broken chunks under my body. Hard to believe that a scrawny 110-pound body like mine could do so much damage in such short amount of time.

And here I wanted to try out for the cheerleading squad?

I considered this with mild amusement as I looked up at the sky again and saw the puffy white clouds taunting me from above, laughing at my attempt to be free as a bird and proving that fallacy to a tee.

That’s when I heard the voices. A few sounded concerned; others had excitement in their tone and they all pointed towards me.

I didn’t have much time left.

A few minutes at best.

I had to get up.

Ha-ha. That’s a laugh and a half.

I let out another breath, hoping for relief and release.

Up.

Somehow that was more appealing than being found in this ridiculous get up: a lavender-colored costume, complete with a stylish black cape. Yes, Batman...eat your heart out.

The combat boots were a friend’s idea, since wearing any other type of shoe, flat, or pump was out of the question. Can you imagine flying through the skies wearing Air Jordans or Nikes? I mean...really. Not happening!

And yes...I was wearing a mask. It was pretty simple, patterned after Robin in those Batman comics. Think of the ones that Tim Drake used to wear...I had a minor crush on him as a loyal fan girl.

Might explain a few things, but I was no Hit Girl. That much was certain. I didn’t have her skills or her abilities. I minored in Taekwondo a few years ago through a few class sessions during the summer months, but I didn’t get much out of it. I simply don’t have the grace, speed, or the mass to be an effective partner, let alone combatant.

Come on... They were the first words out of my mouth since I crash-landed back on Earth. Get up, girl.

I tensed, my whole body seizing like piano wire. In reflex I hissed and cried out, more surprised by the pain and agony washing through my body than anything else. It faded almost as abruptly as it had arrived, leaving me pleasurably euphoric and oddly relaxed.

Maybe this is what death felt like in the last few seconds of life, but I didn’t want to find out again or do an encore performance.

I heard her! She’s over here!

Someone was calling out excitedly.

My whole body went red with embarrassment and I suddenly wished I could also turn invisible at the same time.

All you had to do was ask.

Cain...

The disembodied voice called out to me, a startling reminder that I was still attuned to its thoughts.

I held up a hand, dredging up all of my natural born strength to do so. And just...like...that...my skin went translucent and faded from view, only leaving an outline of my arm and hand, and fingers.

Very soon I saw some people coming up on the impact site in a dead run. Everyone looked very surprised and confused as each looked down at me, but didn’t see me at all.

For all intent and purpose, I had disappeared from the world in general.

How long would this little trick last?

I lay perfectly still. All those people would see was a small hole in the ground and some broken rocks; nothing else.

Do you think she left?

A man spoke hurriedly.

How do you know it was a she?

The voice definitely sounded like a girl. One of my would-be spectators ventured this with confidence. But maybe she...left?

And this? The other guy questioned, pointing at the ground beneath me.

Probably a meteor.

I smirked. Aces. I came up with a name for myself in that moment. That had been bugging me for almost a week now.

Meteor Girl: fitting, succinct; definitely conclusive.

Better than Throw-Up Girl, or Vomit Lass, which would illustrate the queasiness in my stomach right now.

Good thing I didn’t eat much lunch today.

Well, if it was a meteor, it must’ve been vaporized upon impact. But look at the damage it caused in passing!

Someone else speculated this, before taking their leave of the crime scene.

Yep.

Everyone else lingered, gazing at the scene until the last guy decided he had seen enough and was taking off. I counted maybe ten minutes before I told Cain I was in the clear and he – it – could remove the invisibility cloak that he had wrapped around me.

Very well.

Cain was amicable as I raised my hand and watched it solidify before my eyes.

I sighed gratefully. One problem down; so many more to go, but where to start? I had no idea.

All I knew is that I had a thief to catch and some booty to recover. And I needed to do it fast before he struck again.

Chapter Two

The clock chimed a little after nine when I finally walked into the house sans lavender costume and wearing a sheepish expression on my face.

The trip home was hell on wheels anyways because I had to catch one of the Community Transit buses from a bus stations near the end of the line. Finally I got the #202 back to Lynnwood where I found my friend, Oscar Wildeman waiting for me at our usual hangout at the Quik-E-Mart across from the Alderwood Mall. From there, he had me hop in his friend’s car where he and Hector Ramon spent the time filling me in on what happened at school in my absence.

I was still hoping for some news bytes on Gerald, but nobody had seen him since he went to the nurse’s office complaining of a headache.

Outside of that, the ride home was blissfully quiet and I sat in the back seat of Hector’s ride and reflected on what happened on my end and tried to figure out what the hell went wrong about 8,500 feet up in the air.

I still couldn’t fathom the depth of my abilities and powers because Cain wasn’t very talkative. He had basically given me the cold shoulder when I told him/it that I could operate freely on my own without the need of a bossy chaperone. I think he had taken me seriously enough and was leaving me to my own devices.

I had touched my necklace absently and sent a wordless apology to the alien consciousness residing in the meteorite crystal, not expecting an answer. Not in the presence of my peeps anyways. For unknown reasons Cain was always quiet around my friends. He didn’t so much as sent me a text or an e-mail during our long discussions surrounding our favorite comic book superheroes or the latest gossip of which online game Oscar and his buddies were engaged in these days, which included Battlecraft, Final Fantasy, WoW, and a few others. Some of them I played; some I gave a quick pass over. As a result I had spent the rest of the ride resting back in my seat and hugging my dirty green backpack closer to me. It was all I had of Mom after they committed her upstate for psychiatric reasons six months ago, leaving Dad to look after not only the house but us as well.

Most people would expect this transition would seriously messed me up, but I knew what Mom was going through last year after her sudden car accident which left her in a bad state. So when the orders came down from the judge to have her committed after a long running dispute, we all accepted things as they were. Nobody was really, truly, shocked. And I was old enough then to know Mom was getting the best care in the world. They even gave her a private room so we could come in and visit when we were able to.

But the last visit was five months ago and Mom hadn’t looked so great.

Dad persisted with a cheerful disposition, throwing out patently false smiles, but I sensed that he was hurting inside as much as we all were.

It was a huge loss, if you asked me, knowing how much my parents loved each other while we were just sprites running around and causing all kinds of glorious mischief. With a sigh of resignation I closed the front door behind me, making sure my shoes were off just inside the door.

Dad...? I’m home. I called out, but found nothing but the flat screen in the living room was on and blaring out some pre-recorded sports game that I barely recognized.

Going into the living room, I checked the layout and found my father passed out in the chair, his head lolled off to the side a little and the remote tucked into the side of the chair next to his leg.

Dad? Lowering my voice, I prodded him gently on the shoulder. He didn’t stir at first, still unresponsive to the world in general and it took more persistent prodding to finally wake him up.

Hmm? He ventured wearily. Danielle? What are you...when did you get in?

Just a few minutes ago. Sorry. The trip home took longer than I expected.

Dad looked at me for a moment longer, smiled briefly, and then nodded.

So long as you’re safe home and all. I worried when you didn’t come home from school. I was about to call out the dogs on that account.

I found that curious. Why didn’t you?

"You’re a big girl, now, Dannie. As much as I would love to punish you, or ground you, or do something to show who is master of the house, you are now old enough now to start making your own decisions, without my constant supervision."

I’m sorry. I apologized right then and there when I realised he was serious. I was a little busy today and found myself in a bit of a pickle.

With any boy I should know about?

My father’s light teasing came unexpectedly.

Dad! I exclaimed in dismay. It’s not like that.

No? A gorgeous young lady like you not tripping over some guy I should know about? Or are you planning on going through life without a boyfriend?

I blushed. I don’t know the answer to that one yet. Things are just plain nuts right now, even without boyfriends.

What about that young man you have your eyes set on in class...Gerald what’s-his-name?

The blush on my face went even deeper, setting my cheek muscles on fire.

Dad... I offered up weakly. He’s just...um...he’s...

My father smiled wolfishly. Don’t worry, sweetie. I’m sure you have your reasons. Don’t let your old man back you into a corner you can’t get out of.

You haven’t. I’m just not completely committed yet. Just the usual girlish fantasies and stuff like that.

Dad nodded, seeming to understand.

Just healthy daydreams and all that? I can respect that. I did something similar when I was your age. Trust me, it never gets any easier.

I fell silent until I spied an ottoman nearby and sat down heavily, but it took a moment or two before I found the courage to venture my concerns.

Dad...? Can I ask you something?

Sure, sweetie. Ask anything you want. I’ll do my best to answer you.

I looked down at the floor for a second, noticing the Afghan rug had rucked up against the chair leg.

Um...don’t take this the wrong way, but why haven’t you and mom divorced yet if things are so bad with her?

My voice was timid; I expected Dad to be angry with my question, even though he wasn’t the type of guy to lose his cool so easily. Instead the look that crept onto his face described something rather different: the inherent pain he felt from being away from the person he loved more than the whole world itself.

It was hard for me to comprehend what true love really is, but I realised it was right here in front of me, personified in my father’s face.

I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it that way. My apology was abrupt; I didn’t know what else to do. I’m just...

You don’t know what to do in your mother’s absence?

I shook my head.

Mom’s been gone from this place for almost six months. And she’s not getting better, now is she?

I decided to make my challenge up front. Dad hesitated before shaking his head.

No. She’s not.

His admission came with difficulty.

Then why...?

My challenge trailed off as Dad got out of his chair and stood up to stretch.

Because no matter what, I still love her, Dannie. You can’t expect to understand the things that your mother and I went through before you and your brother were born, but I loved her like no other woman in my whole life. And no matter what, I have faith and belief that one of these days, your mom will get better and things will be okay again. Even if she doesn’t, I won’t leave her or divorce her. That would be too cruel and it would just break my heart.

Those words and the sincerity in his voice made me acutely ashamed for even bringing it up. I had no right to question my father’s loyalty or love for Mom and here I was challenging that modicum of trust that he had sown into her all these years.

I just wished...wished...that things were different. But the accident in the Soho District took so much from her last year that in that moment I came to the cold realization that the mom I knew would never be coming back. In her place was this complete stranger that passed off as her but wasn’t her at all. She was nothing but a shell where my mother would be no more. 

Tears stung my eyes and I swiped them away with the back of my dirtied hand.

I’m sorry. I babbled for a moment. I didn’t mean to break you down, Dad ...

I fell silent and Dad came over to hug me, my necklace digging into chest.

You could never do that, honey. Dad’s voice was strong and genuine. I know what you were trying to ask and it takes real courage. I couldn’t love you any more than I do now. You’ve grown up, Dannie and I don’t want you to stop asking me the hard questions; even if they are personal, okay? We’re still family. And families stick together.

I cried a little in his arms, feeling relieved and grateful. I just wished that there was some way I could heal the pain in both our hearts. Dad stroked my head as I sobbed quietly against his lithe frame. We stayed like this until Dad asked another question; one I hadn’t even considered.

Were you playing in the dirt again? Your hair is absolutely filthy.

I pulled away abruptly, startled by his observation. Um, yeah. I was down by the granite quarries again and couldn’t resist this magnificent pile of crushed shale and limestone.

My father chuckled. Liar.

I was at Fremont Park, I tried instead.

Fremont Park is four hours away! Dad exclaimed with pure amazement. What were you doing down there?

Following a lead, like always. You know me and the Mystery Machine, right?

You mean Oscar and your friends were playing games again?

Yep. I lied smoothly. Always the fun ones.

Well, take a bath. Or a shower. I won’t have you go to bed in that state.

I bobbed my eyebrows at him. Trust me, dad, I wasn’t planning on it.

Don’t forget to do your homework from yesterday either. Dad added to the list of reminders. Dinner’s in the fridge. I made us three-cheese Ricotta lasagna with a side of French cut green beans and Spanish rice.

My stomach growled then, audibly, so loud it startled both of us.

Sorry, I apologized profusely. I guess I’m hungrier than I realized.

Well, you played hard so that’s to be expected. I won’t have a member of this house go hungry on that account.

Something inside me warmed up at that point.

Of course not. I answered in an agreeable fashion, before rising to my feet, my pack still clinched tight on my back. I’ll get a bath going and then eat afterwards.

Dad smiled and bent to kiss me on the only spot on my face that wasn’t dirty or filthy.

That’s my girl. He praised then, before he looked into my eyes and frowning as if he noticed something odd. You look like a raccoon with those eyes. I can almost see a mask covering that part of your face.

I reached up reflexively and touched my face with open concern.

Oh, um...Oscar wanted to play cops and robbers today after school got out. I opted to be the bad guy and had one of my masks on my face with me as a result.

Yes, I remember how you used to play such games with your brother when you were little. It was so cute and adorable back then, the way you always hid when he got too close. You always hid in the study under the desk and I let you.

I blushed as memories of happier times washed over me.

Yes, I remember. I reached over to kiss Dad’s cheek. Thanks for understanding and not being mad.

I could never be mad with you, Dannie. My father told me flat out. Not for all the money in the world. But what you said tonight has given me a new reason to visit Mom this weekend. You’re welcome to come with me if you want. It’s up to you.

Of course I’ll go. I nodded in an agreeable fashion. I want to see how she’s doing after all these months.

My father nodded and smiled.

Then it’s a date. He shook his head when he heard his serious tone. Sorry, old habits.

I know what you were trying to say, Dad and I appreciate the gesture, I said in a mollifying tone, before I moved around the ottoman. I’m going to soak my tired bones in some hot water and herbal remedies. God knows I need it.

Okay. I’m going to putt around for a little bit longer and then call it a night. Dad turned from tidying up things in the chair a bit. I’ll see you in the morning.

Sure thing. I promised him and left the living room with a sudden rush of energy and youthful convictions.

Chapter Three

The mirror told me the whole story about my little run-in with Johnny Cochrane. My scrawny and slightly supple frame bore all the hallmarks of a run in with a bull at warp speed.

Massive bruising and red marks splashed themselves across the side and back of my body, while the front looked like it had been squashed with a large wine press.

Ow...ow...ow...? I repeated over and over as I touched every spot questionable and realized that being invulnerable didn’t mean I was free from injury. I grabbed the necklace that I had placed carefully on the sink in front of me and asked Cain for a little bit of his healing magic. His response was immediate.

I don’t feel like it. You treated me like I was yesterday’s news, as if I don’t have a role to play in your subsequent development.

I’m sorry. I answered quickly. I just got tired of all your yammering. It was driving me nuts and breaking my concentration.

It was supposed to do that, you silly girl. How else do you plan on getting better if you forsake my counsel?

I know, I know. I responded contritely. Sorry. I promise I won’t do it again.

I highly doubt that. I’ve seen how your society acts in the time I’ve been marooned on this planet. Asking for forgiveness is easy. Sticking to your promises...? That’s a horse of a different color entirely.

You haven’t told me how long you were here for, Cain.

I winced at some of the lingering pain on my left side from where I landed sharply on the rock outcropping.

That’s not important, Danielle. What is important is that I get you ready for the road ahead.

I appreciate that, I said, apparently talking to myself in front of the mirror.

My auburn brown hair was dirty grey and caked with a fine dust. The rest of me didn’t look any better. I was sweaty and grimy and any girl could tell you in this day and age, impressing the boys like this would be impossible, unless they all knew your secret.

Only two did: Hector and Oscar. They were the ones I first came to when I discovered the meteorite crystal in an old coffee can next to the dumpster, just left there out in the open. They were the only two with whom I shared whatever secrets I uncovered through my pairing with Cain, who wasn’t the most agreeable sort to be hanging out with.

So...some healing magic? I ventured selfishly. I look awful standing here naked to the world in general. If Dad saw me like this, he’d raise all kinds of holy hell. And I don’t want to deal with that if I can avoid it.

Silence. Then suddenly the necklace rose all by itself and wrapped itself around my neck, pulsating as it went.

Very well. In the spirit of anonymity, I will heal you. But don’t count this as a clean slate between us. I’m still mad at you for treating me like dirt.

I laughed. No pun intended.

Cain didn’t respond to my dry wit and I waited for him to do his thing with his little tricks. Or magic. Or whatever it was that governed his abilities and power and transferred some of that over to me on a temporary basis.

At least...

I think it was temporary. I still hadn’t asked him if he could make the transference more permanent.

My thoughts were cut short as the crystal in the necklace started to glow brightly, filling me with an immeasurable amount of warmth and good feelings. I kept my eyes closed, relishing in the fact that I had the one thing in the whole universe that made me feel the way I did.

Sometimes, it was more than a brief moment of intimacy. It was something more profound than that: a chance to commune with the universe in general and hearing the whisper of stellar winds blowing through the system or the eerie screaming of the magnetic fields around Jupiter or something made my mind and senses blank out from either sheer disbelief or awe.

This time around, I could hear gentle lapping of ocean waves coming from somewhere close by. I thought it was just the bathtub water, but a brief probe of my expanded senses and I could see the beachhead from here, with hot sand dunes beneath my feet and the roar of the ocean itself.

Definitely not from around here. Ocean Shores maybe? I thought, as the connection was broken and the light died down to a respectable degree.

I opened my eyes and saw the truth before me: I was whole again.

A quick spin around the block and I saw nary a bruise or sick discolorations or a mottling of skin that told me more than I needed to know about my own vulnerabilities.

I was whole again and refreshed to boot. All the achiness was replaced with a renewed sense of strength and I spent the next couple of minutes flexing my hands and making muscles in the mirror and revelling in my own sense of self-worth. Cain was placid with his announcement

It is done. I would strongly recommend you get some practice in before you take off on your own volition again and kill yourself next time chasing after a known fence.

I’ll only do that on one condition. I counter proposed.

You know that I don’t negotiate or compromise. You promised me you would heed my words and do everything I ask.

And I have, but can’t you make one teensy weensy exception?

There was a small measure of silence from the meteorite crystal.

Very well. Once. And only once.

Cain’s concession came gruffly.

Can you tell me a little bit about yourself and why you are here on Earth? I asked.

I’m not in the habit of handing information out freely to people I don’t know very well.

But you know me pretty well...enough that you haven’t left me for dead in the past week, or in the past month since I first found you.

And I appreciate that. But such information would only complicate matters further. And I would rather you not be involved in my personal affairs of state at this time.

When then?

When things cease to be in danger. When the galaxy at large isn’t busy destroying itself for selfish reasons. Those kinds of things.

I blew my breath out in mild frustration. So more riddles couched in mystery... I mused.

For the time being.

Cain relented some in his defense.

I guess you have your reasons for being secretive then, I analysed, giving in to the inevitable.

Yes. As you have been. The world at large doesn’t need to know of my existence.

I know.

I unhooked the necklace and put it back on the sink counter, but within a few seconds, the thing rose back up in the air and followed me over to the bathtub where it hung there.

Not so close. I scolded it. I don’t know what would happen if I got you wet.

Water won’t affect me.

Cain drifting a little closer to the bathtub to reassure me.

You sure?

Quite.

Very well.

I stepped over the side of the tub, placing one foot into the steaming water. It was still hot, which made getting in all that more enjoyable as well as pleasurable.

I loved taking baths more than anything in the world. More so when I was a little girl with Mom watching me contently and giving me reason to be happy. I could easily see why Dad loved her so much. She was a very special person.

Your mother means a lot to you, doesn’t she?

Cain whispered to me in an even tone of voice.

I nodded partly out of embarrassment. I had conveniently forgotten that Cain and I were permanently linked together telepathically. The only thing that he couldn’t do was intrude upon my dreams or nightmares while I was asleep.

She does. I answered softly, taking that moment to settle into the tub ass first and then began to lean back bit by bit until my head encountered the soft Styrofoam cushion that resembled a toilet seat more than anything else, but it was designed so that a bather could rest and relax.

My sympathies on your plight. The loss of a loved one can never be easy, especially for one as young as you.

Age has nothing to do with it, Cain. I’m eighteen years old; old enough to know the difference.

But still...

Humans have a unique way of dealing with loss, depending on the circumstance. It varies from person to person. I am simply trying to be the best in the family and make sure that nothing falls apart prematurely.

But you have a sibling who is a few years older than you.

I nodded. That’s true. But Brad is dealing with Mom in his own way. He’s also striving to do what he can for us all and being supportive, especially since Dad needs all the help he can get right now.

From your thoughts, I gather that you have dealt with death once before?

I nodded again. My uncle was killed in Afghanistan ten years ago during the war. All they sent back were a few of his mementos and his dog tags. There wasn’t really a funeral because they never found his body after his chopper went down during an enemy engagement. I pursed