Memories

Chapter 1: Memories

Today is Tuesday, a very cold one in fact. It's winter, the time I hate most. It's a nice day but it's a day with many memories. Earlier my sister, Naomi, took me to the graveyard to visit Mom. She left way earlier than I did because she had to go to her job (at the bait shop).

I stayed in the cold with Mom until Naomi got off work. The whole time I sat with Mom I could still smell her delicious pies. Mom always kept Naomi and me fed and happy. Now that she's gone, we're struggling. Papa could be here with us if he could but he has to work, even if that means him never getting to see us. The shifts that he works at the trucking company are long and usually out of state.

Naomi came back to visit Mom again. She saw how freezing I was and said, "Matt! What are you still doing out here? It's freezing. Go get in the car and warm up." I didn't move from my spot. She fussed, "Matt I mean it. Get in the car now. Mom wouldn't want you to catch a cold sitting with her." Reluctantly, I got up and walked to the warmth of the car.

When I opened the car door I felt how cold my fingers actually were. I should really find some gloves. I opened the glove box to look for some gloves. There weren't any in there. It's kinda ironic; it's called a glove box but there weren't any gloves in it, only work badges from all of Naomi's different jobs. Naomi finished visiting Mom and got into the car. "Now Matt, did you go to school?" I replied simply, "No." She sighed, "You can't miss anymore school Matthew. Your principal is already mad at me for keeping you out all of last week and half of the week before. You're falling really behind." "Don't call me Matthew," I looked at her, "only Mom gets to call me Matthew."

I sighed and looked down at my cold fingers and closed my eyes. I hear mom's voice "Hey, Matthew! Catch!" She threw a snowball at me. I laughed, "No fair Mom! I wasn't ready!" Naomi ran up to me and hugged me. She lifted me in the air and spun me around. Mom took us both into a big bear hug. Mom laughed, "I love my precious babies so much. Let's go inside and get you two warmed up." We went inside and heard clanging and footsteps upstairs. I smiled and ran towards the noises "Papa!" The noises weren't Papa. They were three men who had masks and guns. Mom came upstairs and saw the men. "Get out of my house!" She turned to me and whispered "Matthew, go find Naomi. Run far away and call the police. I'll be right behind you." I did as I was told and ran downstairs to Naomi. She called the police and we heard a loud boom from upstairs. I felt someone shaking me, "Matt? Matt! Wake up!" I jumped awake and looked at Naomi. Every time I sleep on this day I have that dream.