"Never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense." -- Winston Churchill
Chapter 17: Mother's Grave
Friday Morning.
2031-2061 Fairmont Rd
Today was Friday, but it wasn't just any Friday. I didn't bother going to school today because I knew I would just be an unpleasant person. I always kept my feelings tucked inside but today was different. I stood next to the evergreen tree staring down at the gravestone.
Here lies Blanche Maria Aksakor
September 1977 – May 2009
Mother, Daughter, and Friend
Loved and Missed Everyday
On the back of the grave, I made sure they engraved my mother's favorite quote. Well, it was the words she always said when I asked her if she misses her mom.
Those we Love don't go away
They walk beside us every day
Today it's been six years since she was murdered and it was the first time in five years that I was able to visit her grave. The grass was cut nicely and the grave was taken care of. I knew this was Silva's doing. Her grave was in the Ferreira's Tomb after all.
Next, to my mother's grave, Silva's family laid. There was his Mother, Father, older brother, and his grandparents. There was still enough space for 2 gravestones, His and Grace's. It is sad how we throw away our lives doing things we don't love or what others expect us to do.
Slowly I sat down next to my mother's grave. The fresh roses I laid down earlier scent waves around me as the wind blows and the sky darkens because of a cloud. The sky looked like how I felt. I laid my head against the gravestone, not knowing what to say.
Before I was arrested I visited my mother's grave only trice. I couldn't bear to sit next to her as I was planning on killing someone. "Mother," I started. Biting my lip I continued
"Things around here aren't the same anymore; I'm no longer your sweet innocent child. I've done things you wouldn't be proud of." Of course, the was no reply, I wasn't expecting one but it felt good talking to her, thinking maybe she was listening.
"I've been going to University, you know. Acting like I'm not who I am. Making friends and throwing parties. Well, tonight would be my first party."
I wasn't like a normal person that lost a mother. Up until this morning I was jumping and not thinking about today, and once again tonight I would party like I didn't sit next to my mother's grave the whole day.
I started telling my mom about the house, school, my friends and last but not least Nikolai. "He is such a child. Always trying out a pickup line or playing a prank on some teacher. He is quite the flirt and if I wasn't who I am, I'd probably fall for it."
I gazed off into the distance; the sun was still high reaching its peak soon. Without looking at my watch I knew it was already almost midday. I sighed at the gravestone and stood up. After dusting off my pants I place a kiss on my hand and place my hand on the top of the gravestone.
"See you soon" I whispered before walking off and getting into my car.
"Olivia I need your help." This was so embarrassing. In all my life I've lived in America and not once have I watched or attended a football game and it's an understatement saying that I don't understand a thing that goes on in the game.
Olivia raises a watchful eye, "With?" she dragged out her 'h'. Rolling my eyes I grimaced. "Could you, explain, explain.how.football.works." I started slowly before finishing my sentence quickly.
She had a confused look on her face. "Explain what?" Rolling my eyes I take a deep breath before saying it again, only slower this time.
"Explain how football works." There was silence for a second before she burst out laughing. Her laughter echoed through my room as she unpacked her bag on my bed.
After school ended I picked her up from school just as I promised earlier this week. The drive home was silent as she inspected my car and stared in awe at everything. The worst part was when the guards opened my gate. It took a full hour to get her to talk again.
Everywhere she walked she did it on her tiptoes when I asked why she said she was afraid of breaking anything. I only rolled my eyes and lead her to my room. I have been working up the courage to ask her for the past 20 minutes and all she does is laugh at me.
"Wait you're serious?" There was a concerned look on her face. "Yeah," She looked around the room again. "So wait! Let me get this straight. You have lived in America for 21 years and you don't understand how football works?" I only nodded my head and she plopped down on the bed next to me.
"Well, I've got my work cut out for me." The room turned silent and I said "Well, look I learn fast. Just teach me the basics so I don't jump up and cheer when the other team gets a point" Olivia burst out laughing and fell off the bed. "Oh, my gods... imagine that," Laughing tears were streaming down her face as she laughed.
After she calmed down and swallowed half of the water bottle next to her she looked at me and started.
"Okay well, there are two teams. Our team is The Jackals and the visiting team is Murky Raccoons. Each team has 11 players. The Game is 60 minutes with two halves. The field is 100-"
I interrupted her. "I don't care about that! When does a team score points?" She rolled her eyes and nodded rubbing her hands down her legs.
"Fine-Fine, um I'll explain it like tonight! Okay, our team has Offense, Defence, and Specialized Players. The boys have to get the ball and run to the opponent's end zone, which if you let me explained earlier in the last 10 yards of each side of the field."
I just nodded and told her to continue. "The game starts when the referee calls the captains and they meet in the center, there is a coin toss and the visiting team says heads or tails. The winner gets to choose if they want to kick-off or receive. The other team then chooses a side."
Okay, I try to get all the information that was swirling around my head in order. When I sorted them out I nodded and she continued.
"The game starts after the kick-off; the receiving team must catch the ball and try to advance the ball towards the opposite end of the field to the other team's end zone. Offense team had four plays to get at least 10 yards or else the opposite team gets the ball."
Damn football sounded complicated. I pinched my nose and closed my eyes. I had another 30 minutes to figure this out before we had to start getting ready. "Okay, we're almost done." Thank heavens.
"The biggest goal for a team is to score a touchdown, it's worth 6 points. The player must carry the ball across the opposition's goal line or catch a pass in the end zone. The team scoring is given the bonus of trying to add one or two more points. They have to run or pass the ball into the end zone for two points or kick the ball through the goal posts from the 15-yard line for one point."
I officially had a headache. Now I understand why neither my parents nor the Gang watch football, it just wasn't for me. To be honest I don't know why I'm making such an effort to understand the game. I mean I could just jump up and down when Olivia jumps up and down.
"Continue," I waved with my hand and awaited the rest of the torture. "A field goal is another way to get points, it's worth 3. It's rare, our team never does it. Last but not least is a team can score two points by tackling an opponent possessing the ball in the opponent's end zone, it's called a safety."
Oh dear god... it's over, praise the heavens and hell.
"Let's get ready. We need to leave in about an hour to make it to the game and get great seats." I nodded at Olivia. "Well you can use one of the guest bathrooms or you could wait for me to finish." Olivia chose the former.
After showering, I quickly chose something to wear. Olivia said something warm and cozy, so as I looked around the closet for something to wear Olivia walks in with. She still hasn't gotten dressed. I decided on black skinny jeans and a grey vest.
Over the grey vest, I was going to wear a long sleeved cozy shirt. Looking around I chose a pair of black, white and grey All-star shoes. In case it's cold I decided on the nice black leather jacket that had a soft inner jacket.
Olivia was dressed in a pair of light blue jean, white shirt, brown boots and a brown leather jacket that had wool on the inside. She quickly started doing my hair in a simple Dutch braid before doing hers in a two-sided fishtail braid.
Standing next to each other in the mirror I had to say we looked good. We giggled and hopped down the stairs. It was so unlike me but I liked feeling girly for once. We said goodbye to Alfred and the other household staff.
"You want to choose a car?" I asked Olivia and like a child, she jumped up and down clapping her hands together and nodding her head. I only chuckled at her and opened the box with all the car keys in.
Each car key had the car symbol on and much to my surprise she chose the red key with the Audi symbol on. Together we walked to the 2016 red Audi A8. She was the first to jump in after I unlocked the car.
Copyright © 2018 by Grace Write