You Don't Have To Cry

1

It was a freezing day with fierce, nipping winds as winter hurriedly hounded into the season. Icy crystals of snow practically floated from the sky's clouds, swirling and twirling a hypnotic dance with the winds before they were gently placed onto the ground, joining their companions to create the most beautiful blanket across the land.2

A young girl stood at the doorway, looking. Just looking.3

She was dazzled by the generous amounts of snow that sparkled and glinted at her in the beams of the sunlight. 4

Oh how the snow looked so tender to touch, how she longs to stroke the piles with her fingers, to throw herself in it, to spin round and round and not stop a second early before she became too dizzy to focus. 5

Closing her pale blue eyes, she could swear she felt the fluffy snow encircling her, trapping her in the fantasy world of pleasure.6

But as soon as she opened them, the feeling disappeared. She looked outside, an incredible yearning shivering through those unforgetable eyes. She knew that she couldn't possibly go anywhere in the yard without her proper attire, without her snow-boots, but with the innocence of the girl came a natural spark of random mischief. 7

With the tiniest of smiles, she hesitantly pushed open the handle of the door, ignoring the cool temperature of the knob, and slinking through a small crack in the door, just big enough to let her through.8

Not even a minute later, she found herself standing barefoot on the frosted welcoming mat. The wind whipped around her, slashing her silvery blonde hair around her face, pushing her flannel pajamas away from her body. 9

She smiled.10

The cold felt good.11

She raised her skinny palm to catch a snowflake, cradling it in her fragile hands, watching it sluggishly melt away. Her other hand reached for her hair, running her fingers through the snow-dusted strands, her smile widening. 12

"I'm a snow princess!" she yelled excitedly in a whisper, raising her arms to the heavens, tilting her chin back to taste the ice. 13

She closed her eyes once more and let the soothing taste of numbing snow land haphazardly onto her tastebuds. She 'mmm'ed happily as they dissovled instantly against the natural heat of her mouth. 14

Water had never tasted so pure before. 15

Azure eyes blinking open, she was suddenly aware of the surrounding coldness as she heard distant footfalls echoeing in her house, descending up the stairs of the ranch. Quivering, she heaved herself back inside, almost noiselessly, and distastfully looked upon her damp clothing. 16

The wettness of the PJs was soon forgotten when the footsteps sounded again, this time from upstairs, stepping in the room above. 17

With instinctive curiousity, she pounced up the stairs, frowning when the padding skidded to an abrupt halt.18

Looking for the sound-maker, she tiptoed from room to room, peeking sneakily inside, looking for a possible presence in each.19

Finally, after feeling much like Goldie Locks and the Three Bears, she glanced into her parent's room, just in time to see her Mommy's profile as the woman ducked into the bathroom, grabbing something in a pantry.20

Pushing the door fully open, she sneaked inside and hopped into the four-postered, king size bed and buried herself in the comfy down blankets. She'd give Mommy a surprise!!! And Mommy wouldn't even notice her!21

She smirked triumphantly and looked through a hole in the blanket, stalking Mommy's every move. 22

Mommy walked past the pantry and back into the main bedroom, stopping by the lone, mahogany side-table. She was grasping an envelope in her hand. 23

Picking up a pen, she began scribbling away in spidery cursive, etching a note upon a holiday card. 24

The girl could only see her profile, but it was enough to show her something wasn't right. The atmosphere in the room buzzed at the fidgeting silence, becoming almost frighteningly apprehensive. 25

Mom turned toward her, finally, and took a step closer, dropping the card into a gift bag that stood on the mattress.26

That's when she saw it.27

Her mother's honey brown eyes were welled with tears that skipped down her streaked, olive face. Her chocolate brown hair, with a reddish glow, was carelessly tied into a ponytail at the base of her neck, short pieces falling long enough to her night gown collar. 28

The sight was so much different than her usual Mommy. The Mommy with warm, loving honey eyes and a perfect, ageless complexion. A woman of success and friendliness, adnorned in a fashionably professional suit. 29

"I've lost her haven't I?" her sweet voice split the tension of the atmosphere, smoothing over like warm chocolate. 30

Mommy seemed to be talking to herself.31

"She's really gone." 32

The scene in front of her tore her heart to pieces. She looked harder at the tip of the envelope in the bag. 33

Easily spelling any word by now, it was clear to her that the beginning of the name was "KRY--".34

Oh.35

Her sister. 36

A teenager stood outside on lushious green grass, looking at the moving truck on her side. She carefully made sure the movers handled her belongings with caution before turning away and walking inside of an ebony car. And the car drove away, followed by the moving truck. And the teenager never looked back. 37

And no one ever noticed a blonde girl with a confused, tear stricken face, huddled by the screen door, watching, but not registering, what was currently happening. 38

Where was her sister going? 39

But, why was she going?40

A hurricane of despair ached her heart, biting harshly at it.41

By the time her mere flashback was over, the angelic girl was stiffling sniffles, fat, dripping tears down her rosy cheeks. 42

She must've not held them in well, for the next thing she knew, her mother pulled back the sheets to reveal a little girl in a fetal position, sobbing almost silently.43

Brown eyes filled with concern and comforting arms reached out to the girl. 44

"Why are you crying, my little, pumpkin-seed?" the mother asked, placing the girl on her lap and looking at her, fingers rubbing circles on her back.45

The girl shrugged.46

And the mother sighed.47

"You're crying because you saw me crying?" she asked with a frown, pushing a piece of her daughter's hair behind her ear. 48

Her reply was a nod. The mixture of prickling memories and the vision of her upset Mommy was too much for the young girl.49

"You know," her mom begun, kissing her forehead. "You never have to cry because Mommy does." She wiped away one of her rolling tears as the young one hiccuped lightly. "If Mommy's sad, it's okay. All of us get sad from time to time, yet, that doesn't mean that anyone else has to get sad, also."50

She hugged the blonde to her bosom, rocking her back and forth. "I promise, it's all alright." she said in a confirming tone, sweet, though. "You don't have to cry."51

They embraced for what felt like nothing, yet in reality, was forever. Time's illusion reigned as they remained in their togetherness, marvelling at the content comfort. 52

The little girl snuggled deeper into her Mommy's warm arms and gave a delayed reply. "I know..." she spoke in a hushed tone. "But sometimes, it feels like I have to."53

Tears sprung harder.54

Looking over her Mommy's shoulder, her tongue poked out of her mouth, tasting the salty tears. her nose wrinkled at the taste and her eyes caught the attention of the waltzing snowflakes out the window.55

She swallowed reluctantly.56

Water had never tasted so tainted.57

But, the taste was erase immediantly as she retired to a long needed slumber in the safe embrace of her Mommy's arms. 58

Darkness clouded over her eyes as her eyes lids fluttered shut, mouth parting lightly.59

'Don't worry Mommy, because I'll never leave,' she thought. 'And its my turn to promise you, you'll never have to cry.'60