It was a dark and stormy night .. on those nights, so many memories come flooding back.

I was 6, my family lived on a dead end dirt road, no neighbors as far as a 6 year old could see. Loud thunder and lightning would give me nightmares. My 6 year old imagination would run wild with thoughts of what could be happening and to where I could find comfort and safety, more often than not, it would find me crawling into bed with the one person who always made me feel safe.

Still, to this day, when those storms return, and the memories flood back, I hold your picture close to my chest, knowing you are still with me, keeping me safe. It has been 9 years since your passing, but you're still here with me, keeping me safe, on those dark and stormy nights.

Love you mom.

"Oh wow! What time is it? I can't believe I slept so long."

I get dressed and go downstairs, not noticing it's so quiet in the house. All I can think of is how bright it is outside.

"Mom...mom...where are you?"

Standing in the kitchen, listening. No sound of morning breakfast. No radio. Nothing.

Searching the house, there is no sign of mom, no sign of Ralph, my dog. This is weird. She wouldn't just leave without leaving a note.

"I'm starving." I get a bowl of cereal, some toast, and a granola bar. Look at the clock "11:00! It can't be! Well I'm not staying in here, if she can leave, so can I."

Putting my sneakers on, I go outside. I have to shade my eyes it's so bright out and the sky is so blue. A really dark blue.

Walking down the road towards my neighbours farm, all I can hear is the gravel under my feet. No wind in the trees. no birds singing, no dogs barking, nothing. This isn't right.

I get close to the barn, still nothing.

Steve, the farm hand is always there, always with a bottle of rum in his hand at this time of day.

The cows are still there, but they're not moving, not at all. But they're still standing. Not even any flies around.

My head is spinning.

I run outside to Steve's house. I look around and no is home there either. Nothing.

Still no other sound. No planes in the sky. No cars on the road. Nothing.

This is all too much. I walk down by the river and sit beneath a huge fir tree, the branches shading me from the ever brightning sun. It's getting so hot, my t-shirt is soaked completely through. Now the sky is turning purple. Dark purple. It's pretty but wrong.

I need to lay down. The ground is so soft. Just need to take a nap and when I wake up everything will be alright. My head is still spinning, feels like my head is actually swelling. I close my eyes and it feels like I'm sinking. Sinking in a pile of feathers.

Now sleep.

Sleep.......

@May 14, 2020

A body of a 14 year old boy was found yesterday, under a hay wagon, partially covered near here. It has been determined he died from an overdose of heroin found in his mother's purse. Charges are pending.

This story is fictional.....or is it...

You laughed

And I saved the sound

In my mind

So that on the bad days

The days where nothing seems to be good

I could wonder down

My memory lane

Just to hear you laugh

And take away my pain

I try not to be sad, but it's hard

I try not to feel the pain, but it's hard

I try not to cry, but it's hard

I try to ask why me, but it's hard

All I can do is try not to be like them

I try to ask for help, but they don't listen

I try to look for the good, but it's hard

I try to smile, but it's hard

I try to look forward to tomorrow, but it's hard

All I can do is try not to be like them