1. Missing Them

Lillian's POV

Today was the day I dreaded to relieve every year and even though the pain came back fresh as always I knew I would still have to do it no matter what.

It's the 25th of July , and 4 years ago today , I lost my parents and I was 11 years at the time.

It all happened three days before my birthday when preparations were ongoing for the party.

They had gone to pick up some items and were returning when a truck rammed into them from the side of the road.

They died in the spot and I never had a chance to say goodbye.

But every year I still celebrate their anniversary because there is no way I can ever forget them even if I tried.

I had no immediate family so I was given over to social services and later put in a foster home where I lived with Karen Wilson, a divorced woman who took very good care of me.

She even celebrates their anniversary with me every year even though she never knew them and that's more than I could ever ask for.

And to be honest we are quite close almost like mother and daughter and although I can't replace my mom, she is the best I could have asked for

*******

I opened my eyes and immediately closed it , I was not ready to wake up and moreover the curtains were slightly open and trust me when I say I am not a morning person at all!!.

I rolled over and placed my head in my pillow to try and sleep some but even I the ultimate sleeper knew that was not possible.

I raised my head to check the time on my nightstand clock ad and realized it was 7:00am so I literally had to move from bed.

I pulled the sheets off and sat down facing the other side of the room closer to the bathroom so the sun couldn't get to my face.

My room was painted blue and white with some intricate flowery designs , very simple just like me.

I hardly have any furniture except my mom and dad's wedding photos and a family photo and then some art paintings ,i really loved art even though I can't paint.

Today was Saturday, so definitely no school and I was happy and that also meant one more free day before the Monday , the most annoying day among all days , I know you agree with me, Mondays is a no no.

Now even though school is good and all it's cool to hate it once a while, moreover I don't have anything interesting to do there so basically I have no reason to like it and I also have no friends so like am justified guys.

I went into the bathroom and and cleaned up about 30 minutes then stepped out in my white bathing suit.

I opened the closest and pulled out a black high waisted jeans and blue off shoulder blouse then pulled on a pair of black flats which I owned and loved.

I didn't like heels so I wasn't bothered cos it was either shoes or sandals.

I had really soft hair so I just brushed it and tied into a neat bun.

Opening the door I stepped out and headed into the kitchen to prepare breakfast but I was welcomed by a nice aroma which meant Karen was already awake and cooking . Yipeeee!! No one make a sound.

"Morning, Karen"

"Morning dear, how did you sleep" she replied.

"Slept fine , how about you?"

"Also good".

"What you cooking" ,

"Pancakes, if you want some, there's some maple syrup in the cupboard grab it and sit" , I'll be done soon"

"Okay" I replied

I turned to the counter and reached up to take the syrup , careful not to break the bottle.

I went to the dining room and began setting the table.

Not long after, she carried two plates mounted with pancakes to the table, she set it down and joined me to eat.

I said the Grace and we began eating.

"I thought these would never get cooked"

"Oh keep quiet , you're such a glutton"

Then we both burst out laughing.

Even though today was a sad day , I felt happy and it felt good.

We finished eating and both stood up but I realized she was not ready yet, so I took the plates to the kitchen and told I would wait by the car while she cleaned up.

When she went upstairs I grabbed the flowers we would need and stepped outside to place them in the car.

It was an old Hyundai Elantra left by my parents and given to Karen since I was still young.

After about 15 minutes, she came down wearing a brown floral dress with a pair of black sandals and her auburn hair carefully straightened out.

I smiled at her and got in the front seat while she took the wheel.

The drive was silent but not awkward, we were used to this kind of atmosphere do there was no tension between us.

The cemetery is about an hour's drive from the house. It's located in the next street so very few people live around there.

We arrived and then she parked the car, after which we both stepped out while picking the flowers from the back seat.

I nodded at her , telling her that it was okay for me to go alone.

I turned and began walking inside, towards their grave , feeling the pain hit me like it did every year and there was nothing I could do about it.

I passed the first two rows , moving on to the third row and stopped. I turned and moved to the fifth gravestone.

I knelt down and placed one bouquet of flowers on mom's grave then placed the other one on dad's grave

"Helen Racheal Addison" and Philip Christopher Addison" I sat down in between the gravestones and not knowing if they could hear me but speaking all the same .

Then slowly but surely , the tears fell and even though I had been through this for a while , the pain never got better.

And I was grateful for once that I was a silent crier . I cried for what seemed like forever, then lay down.

As I lay there I heard the gates of the cemetery creak open but didn't even care to check who it was.

Then I felt a presence behind me and a pair of arms around me and I leaned into it and cried harder.

She rubbed my back and stroked my hair to soothe me and gradually I calmed down.

About 15 minutes later , we stood up and headed back to the car knowing that we would be back here the following year but not knowing it would be under different circumstances

So first chapter is done, let me know what you think and thanks for reading .