Hi!
Kendra here, and Taylor's back with another chapter in her tear-jerker "When Our Souls Collide."
I mean, nothing terrible has happened yet, but you can feel it building, can't you?
I can! I couldn't imagine going through what Taylor's writing about. Both of our girls are--well, if you're a parent like me, you know what I mean.
Anyway, I'll stop yapping and let Taylor tell her story.
--Kendra
When Our Souls Collide
Chapter Five: Alaska
Snow crunched under my paws as I walked beside Grace's wheelchair, tugging and pulling in my harness. She was too weak to walk long distances now, so I helped Carolyn guide the chair through the wet snow. My breath frosted in front of me.
The woods were crisp and still. Golden afternoon light spilled through the pines, casting a soft glow onto the snow in front of us. It seemed like each individual flake, delicate and gleaming, was visible. These woods, nestled a close to our house, were always beautiful, no matter the season.
“Look at how the snowflakes sparkle in the sun, Attey,” Grace said, pointing. “Isn't that pretty?”
Grace was bundled in her favorite yellow beanie. Her sweater, jacket and gloves were of the same bright color. We stopped at a small stream that twisted and snaked through the underbrush. Grace cl9sed her eyes and took a deep breath. She seemed to be soaking everything in, the sun, the sounds and smells, as if she'd never be here again. A small grin stretched across her face. She sighed, looking happy. No matter how happy she was during daylight hours, her sadness peaked at night. I lay beside her during these moments, wishing I could talk.
I didn't see much of Grace the next few weekends. Jeffrey and Carolyn came into the bedroom as soon as the sun rose and took Grace and Seth out for a day of fun that lasted until sunset. Grace would come back holding a treat: an apple scented candle, a glossy new paperback, a steaming cinnamon bun, a beautiful wig. She even surprised Seth with a new video game after he'd gone to a friend's house, beaming as she gave it to him the next day.
When we went upstairs to her room, however, my girl was still unhappy.
“I just wanna see them,” Grace said, snuggling beneath the covers. I lay beside her. She reached up and touched the side of my face. I leaned into her hand, her fragile, pale hand. “I wanna listen to Uncle Leo sing and play his guitar. I wanna hear grandpa's stories about his childhood farm one last time. I wanna see Freckles. Remember her? She's Uncle Larry's dog. You've played with her before.”
You'll see them soon, Grace. You'll see them soon. I closed my eyes, wishing she could read my mind.
Later that night, I awoke to Carolyn quietly packing a suitcase of Grace's. “Shh,” she said, placing a finger to her lips. “Don't wake her.” I wagged my tail, instantly knowing what was to come.
The next morning, Jeffery gently shook his daughter awake. “Wake up, Gracie girl.” His expression was one of excitement, wonder and anticipation. I heard Seth complaining to his mother. Grace rubbed her eyes.
“What is it, Dad?”
Jeffery’s smile widened. “It's a surprise. Let's go outside.”
He lifted her out of bed, still wrapped in her blanket, carrying her out of the room. I yawned, shook myself off and followed. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Seth packing my food bowl, water dish, and dog bed. Grace saw it, too.
“Why is Seth packing Attey's stuff?” she asked curiously, looking at Seth instead of her father.
“Just wait,” he replied, a smile in his voice.
Snow was still falling as we stepped outside, making the front yard look just as beautiful as it was in the spring and summer. A red van I'd never seen before was parked in the driveway. Actually, it looked more like a small bus. I cocked my head, confused by the strange vehicle. Grace gasped. Jeffery smiled.
“Gracie girl,” he ssid. “You're going to Alaska!”
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