(Continued from the last post. Click here to catch the whole story from the beginning.)
“Okay.” She nodded. “Why don’t you start at the beginning? What’s the first thing about your parents that comes to mind?”
So I told her about my father, how he used to tuck me into bed when I was a little girl, how he used to read to me, and how he always understood me and accepted me for who I was, unquestioningly and unconditionally. I didn’t get very far through before Ange was handing me the Kleenexes.
Then I told about my mother, how she explained to me the other kids in school, how she helped me get ready for my first date, how she helped me move into my first dorm at college, and all the other firsts she did for me that only a mother can do for a daughter.
“It sounds like you loved your parents very much,” Ange said. Loved, in the past tense. I had never told her about any of this, but she must have picked up on what was coming. “What happened?” she asked.
And so I took a deep breath, and I told her the story, the short version, because I don’t think I could have handled the long version just then, and even the short version was a big step forward for me.
“I was just finishing up my first year of college,” I explained. “I planned to go home over the summer to stay with my mom and dad. I was really looking forward to it. What I didn’t know was that they were coming to surprise me. But they never made it. They were driving along a curved part of the road, and the pickup truck coming the other way must have been driving too fast and swinging wide around the turn.” I shook my head. “They never had a chance.”
At that point, I didn’t know what to feel. Actually putting the story into words seemed just to make me numb.
“I found out,” I said, “when a policeman visited me at my dorm. It was finals week. I was packing for the trip home, planning to take the train. He told me my parents had been in a fatal accident and he needed me to identify the bodies.”
I had stopped crying.
“Have you ever told that story to anyone?” Ange asked.
I shook my head. “No,” I said.
“Why do you think that is?”
“I just didn’t want to think about it.”
“What does thinking about it remind you of?” she asked.
I shook my head again, this time in wonder of what they had done, all those years ago. “If they had just called me, I would have told them to stay home and let me take the train. They were going to surprise me. And I guess they did.” I stopped a beat. I was hurt and angry, angry at them, angry at me. “They made hotel reservations and everything. They probably planned to help me pack and everything. But damn it, why didn’t they just stay home?”
“So how to do feel about that?”
I couldn’t put my feelings into words. All I could say was: “They were coming to see me. Do you get that? Me. Damn it.”
“Damn what?” Ange asked, unemotionally. “Damn them? Or damn you?”
I froze for a moment, nausea rising through my heart. “Damn… both.”
I felt like spitting, to get the bitter taste of this awful conversation out of my mouth. It tasted like soap.
“I just have one more question for you to mull over,” Ange said. “You don’t have to answer. Just think about it. Is any of that Clydene’s fault?”
“No,” I said, answering the question anyway. “It isn’t.” Then I said, “I think I owe her an apology.” The words felt dirty, grainy in my mouth, but I knew them to be true. Sometimes, the truth is jagged to swallow and painful to learn.
(To be continued…)
This story is tangential to The Conscience of Abe’s Turn and takes place in the Abe’s Turn universe. If you enjoy this story, please also check out The Conscience of Abe’s Turn (the novel).
Your point of view caught my eye and was very interesting. Thanks. I have a question for you.
Can you be more specific about the content of your article? After reading it, I still have some doubts. Hope you can help me.
I don’t think the title of your article matches the content lol. Just kidding, mainly because I had some doubts after reading the article.
Your point of view caught my eye and was very interesting. Thanks. I have a question for you.
I don’t think the title of your article matches the content lol. Just kidding, mainly because I had some doubts after reading the article.
Can you be more specific about the content of your article? After reading it, I still have some doubts. Hope you can help me. https://accounts.binance.info/register-person?ref=IXBIAFVY
Thanks for your personal marvelous posting! I genuinely enjoyed reading it, you might be a great author.I will be sure to bookmark your
blog and will eventually come back at some point. I want to encourage continue your great writing, have a nice afternoon!
Thanks for sharing. I read many of your blog posts, cool, your blog is very good.
Your point of view caught my eye and was very interesting. Thanks. I have a question for you. https://accounts.binance.com/vi/register?ref=MFN0EVO1
This design is spectacular! You certainly know how to keep a reader amused.
Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Excellent job.
I really enjoyed what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it.
Too cool!
Excellent goods from you, man. I have understand your stuff previous to and you are just extremely wonderful.
I actually like what you have acquired here, really
like what you are saying and the way in which you say it.
You make it entertaining and you still take care of to
keep it wise. I can’t wait to read far more from you. This is actually a terrific web site.
My brother suggested I may like this website.
He was once totally right. This post truly made my day. You cann’t believe simply how so much time
I had spent for this info! Thank you!
I could not refrain from commenting. Well written!
I’ve been browsing online more than 3 hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours.
It’s pretty worth enough for me. Personally, if all web owners and bloggers made
good content as you did, the web will be much more useful than ever before.
Hello, just wanted to tell you, I enjoyed this post.
It was helpful. Keep on posting!
Right here is the perfect webpage for anybody who hopes to
understand this topic. You know a whole lot its almost
hard to argue with you (not that I really will need to…HaHa).
You definitely put a brand new spin on a topic
that’s been discussed for decades. Wonderful stuff,
just great!
It’s an remarkable post in support of all the web users; they
will get benefit from it I am sure.
Spot on with this write-up, I really believe this website needs a
lot more attention. I’ll probably be returning
to see more, thanks for the information!
Amazing things here. I’m very satisfied to see your
article. Thanks a lot and I am looking forward to touch you.
Will you please drop me a mail?
Excellent weblog right here! Additionally your website lots up fast!
What host are you using? Can I get your associate hyperlink for your host?
I wish my website loaded up as quickly as yours lol
I like what you guys are usually up too.
This type of clever work and coverage! Keep up the very good works guys I’ve added you guys to my own blogroll.
Have you ever considered writing an e-book or guest authoring on other websites?
I have a blog based on the same topics you discuss and
would really like to have you share some stories/information. I know my audience would appreciate your work.
If you are even remotely interested, feel free to send me an email.
Hi, i believe that i noticed you visited my blog thus i came to go back the favor?.I am attempting to in finding issues to enhance my site!I suppose its adequate to make
use of some of your concepts!!
I’m no longer certain the place you’re getting your information, but good topic.
I needs to spend some time studying more or figuring out more.
Thanks for excellent information I was looking for this
info for my mission.
В этой статье-обзоре мы соберем актуальную информацию и интересные факты, которые освещают важные темы. Читатели смогут ознакомиться с различными мнениями и подходами, что позволит им расширить кругозор и глубже понять обсуждаемые вопросы.
Подробнее можно узнать тут – https://vivod-iz-zapoya-2.ru/
It’s hard to come by well-informed people for this subject,
but you seem like you know what you’re talking about!
Thanks
I for all time emailed this website post page to all my associates, since if like to read it afterward my contacts will too.
Your point of view caught my eye and was very interesting. Thanks. I have a question for you. https://accounts.binance.info/id/register?ref=UM6SMJM3
I really like what you guys tend to be up too. This kind of clever work and exposure!
Keep up the awesome works guys I’ve included you
guys to my personal blogroll.
Actually no matter if someone doesn’t know then its up to other visitors that they will
assist, so here it happens.
Hey there are using WordPress for your site platform? I’m new to the blog world but I’m trying to get started and create
my own. Do you need any coding expertise to make your own blog?
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
What’s up to every body, it’s my first visit of this weblog; this website consists of
awesome and in fact excellent material designed for visitors.
I got this web site from my buddy who informed me regarding this site and now
this time I am visiting this web site and reading very informative articles or
reviews at this time.
Hi there friends, its wonderful piece of writing regarding teachingand fully explained, keep it up all the time.
Fantastic site you have here but I was wanting to know if you knew of
any forums that cover the same topics discussed here?
I’d really love to be a part of community where I can get advice from
other experienced individuals that share the same interest.
If you have any suggestions, please let me know. Thanks!
Thanks for ones marvelous posting! I really enjoyed reading
it, you are a great author. I will remember to bookmark your blog and will often come back at some point.
I want to encourage yourself to continue your great
writing, have a nice evening!
I have been browsing online more than 4 hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like
yours. It’s pretty worth enough for me. In my view, if all web owners and bloggers made good
content as you did, the web will be a lot more useful than ever before.
Hello to all, the contents existing at this website are truly awesome for
people experience, well, keep up the nice work fellows.
Hello, i think that i saw you visited my weblog so i came to “return the favor”.I’m attempting to find
things to improve my site!I suppose its ok to use some of your ideas!!
It’s appropriate time to make some plans for the long run and it’s time to be
happy. I have read this put up and if I may I desire to counsel you some fascinating issues or tips.
Perhaps you can write subsequent articles relating to this article.
I desire to read more things approximately it!
It’s going to be ending of mine day, but before end I am reading this wonderful piece of writing to
improve my experience.
I truly love your blog.. Pleasant colors & theme. Did you develop
this amazing site yourself? Please reply back as I’m attempting to create my very own blog and want to know where you got this from or just what the
theme is named. Thanks!
I am no longer certain the place you’re getting your information, however
good topic. I must spend some time finding out much more or
working out more. Thank you for fantastic information I used to be searching for this information for
my mission.
What’s up mates, its great piece of writing on the topic of teachingand entirely defined,
keep it up all the time.
Hi there everyone, it’s my first pay a visit at this web page, and article
is genuinely fruitful designed for me, keep up posting these types of
posts.
This design is steller! You obviously know how to keep a reader
amused. Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my
own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Excellent job.
I really enjoyed what you had to say, and more than that, how you
presented it. Too cool!
I’ll right away snatch your rss feed as I can’t in finding your email subscription hyperlink or e-newsletter service.
Do you’ve any? Kindly allow me know in order that I may
subscribe. Thanks.
This article will assist the internet viewers for setting up new web site or even a weblog from start to
end.
Your style is so unique compared to other people I’ve read stuff from.
Thank you for posting when you’ve got the opportunity, Guess I will just book mark this site.