One Wish

/1

Walking into this house felt so familiar, and the faces surrounding me were the same ones that looked so happy 8 months ago. It's funny how your life can change so quickly, but not funny in a laughing way; funny in a sad way. 

I saw him standing next to the open casket and instead of my breath being taken away, there went my composer. Instantly, tears leaked from my eyes and I turned and ran out of the house. I didn't expect this to happen, I expected him to get better. 

____

8 months earlier.

____

The bottle of wine was passed to my mother, and instead of her pouring a bit into the glass she drunkenly tipped the bottle back and took a 3 large swigs. I cringed out of embarrassment, but continued to pretend that I was interested in the conversation that Jackie was holding with me. 

Jackie rolled her eyes at her best friend and nudged her head to the side as if telling me to follow her. I got up and followed Jackie through the crowded living space and to the back yard. 

" She changed her poison." Jackie said, leaning on the railing. 

" I guess it's better." I shrugged, a little laugh escaping my lips, " At least when I put her into bed she doesn't reek of draft beer ." 

"It's a little more classy to be a wine drunk." She continued, making me smile. 

" Do you think Ryan liked his gift?" I asked, changing the subject. 

"He loved it Jenna, you can never go wrong with Legos." She chuckled, "God knows he loves when I step on them." I laughed, picturing this women stepping on a Lego and cursing her brains out in front of the 8 year old. 

I loved Jackie as much as my real mother; I've only known the Andersons as second family. I grew up with Jackie's oldest son Sam, and my mom grew up with Jackie. We've spent multiple vacations with them, and I would usually spend all my summers sleeping over at their house because of Sam. 

They were the perfect family. 

Richard was their father; he was strong and a leader, but kind and humble. He was very protective of his family and close friends, and he was the father I never had. Then there was Jackie, a beautiful women with the purest heart and the shortest temper. She was the one who would charge into Sam and I's school to complain about our bully, and demand that they be suspended. 

Ryan was Sam's little brother and the nicest kid you could ever meet, he was well behaved and basically everything Sam was. They really took after each other, and Ryan really looked up to Sam. 

I loved this family, and sometimes I would lay awake in bed and wish that this could also be my family. 

I loved my mother more than anything, but life could be so much simpler with the Andersons. 

" I'm going to go bring Elena upstairs, and put her in one of the beds." She smiled, referring to my mother, " Keep an eye out though, Sam will be here any minute with one of his new friends from college." She gave me suggestive eyes. 

"What's that supposed to mean?" I wondered, knowing she had a plan in her head. 

"Nothing, I'm just saying he's British and really cute." She shrugged. 

"Whose British and really cute?" I turned to the back door to see Richard looking at his wife in a very mischievous way. He came over and wrapped one arm around Jackie's waist, giving her a kiss on the head.