Six Years Ago
As a Twelve -year-old, nothing could be more devastating than losing both parents at once.
It happened on the night of my graduation from middle school. We were driving home when a truck crashed into our car. It somersaulted several times before finally stopping. The moment we stopped, everything went dark.
When I opened my eyes again, a voice said, "Oh, she's awake." It was familiar, but I couldn't place it yet.
"Christabel…" another voice called softly.
I blinked several times until the person came into focus.
"Uncle Shawn," I croaked. My throat burned.
"Don't say anything, my dear." He sat beside me on the large hospital bed and handed me water.
I drank slowly. "Thank you," I whispered.
I scanned the room. I knew instantly something was wrong. Why is Uncle Shawn here? Where are my parents?
A soft knock sounded before the doctor walked in.
"How do you feel?" he asked.
"Horrible… My head feels like a metal gong, and my entire body aches."
"Alright. I'll prescribe some medication to ease the pain. You'll be fine soon. And… I'm sorry for your loss."
My loss? Before I could ask, he was gone.
I turned to Uncle Shawn, my father's closest friend. "What loss? Where are my parents?"
He bowed his head. His lips trembled. Fear gripped me before he even spoke.
"Your parents… they…" He couldn't finish.
Memories of the accident flashed sharply. My heart dropped.
"No… No, they survived. They have to." I kept shaking my head.
"Christabel," he said gently, "in moments like this, you have to be strong."
"No!" I cried. "My parents can't be dead. They promised me so many things… They can't leave me!"
He held me as I sobbed uncontrollably.
"I'm so sorry about the death of your parents," he whispered. "Please don't cry too much. It's not good for your health. The earlier you heal, the sooner… we can bury them."
Those words shattered me, and darkness swallowed me again.
Three days later, I woke up to a silent world. Everyone seemed to have moved on—except me.
The door opened and Uncle Shawn walked in.
"Christabel… my dear, don't cry. You're not alone. From now on, I want you to see me as your dad. We're family now." His brown eyes held sincerity.
I didn't speak. I just lay back and let the numbness swallow me.
A nurse came in shortly after. "Doctor says you can go home today."
Home. What a strange word now.
The discharge happened quickly. Uncle Shawn drove me straight to the cemetery. The arrangements had been made. They only needed me present to lay them to rest.
I stood before the two black coffins. Memories of us flashed painfully. My body trembled, but I forced myself to watch as they were lowered into the ground. The pain was unbearable. I wanted someone to stop it, bring them back, but reality was cruel.
When everyone left, I knelt before their graves and let my tears fall freely.
A gentle touch rested on my shoulder.
"You ready to go?" Uncle Shawn asked.
I nodded weakly.
We drove to my parents' house to pack what I could, and then headed to the Heben residence, my new home.