Crimson Jade

I had always dreamed of what it would be like to have a mother. To feel her arms wrapped around my body, snuggling me close and listening to her heartbeart. But, I didn't have a mother. Well, of course I had a mother once, but she passed on. My mother was found taking addict pills from her medicine cabinet and passed out on the floor when I was seven years of age. I remember her well. She had ruby red curly hair that strung down in her eyes and blue eyes that looked like pools of water.1

She was an attractive woman and very slim and petite. I remember how she used to sing lullabies to me when I was a toddler.2

As for my father, he was still living. Always drunk, leaving me and my siblings alone at the house all the time. He was a grungy man with a long beard that nearly reached his stomach and bedraggled hair. He cursed at us so many times I lost count. Of course, he didn't mean to half the time, it was the alcohol mostly. My father was actually a good man, but rarely ever showed it.3

My two brothers and sisters, Harriet and Jacob felt the same way. Always a nuisance to father, getting in his way. I could never imagine how they could stand all day with him, since I was the only one who was old enough yet to attend school. I went to King Creek Middle School, just a couple miles from our home.4

I had very few friends, not surprising, since I was the nerd of the grade. Harriet was five years old, almost old enough to attend kindergarten( I'm sure she wanted to.) Jacob was three, lively and three years yet to go before he could attend kindergarten.5

I worried about them often, I was positive father left them alone sometimes all day when I was at school.6

Yes, I had a rough life, it seemed. However, there was always someone there to comfort me when I was really down in the dumps, Larson. Larson had been my friend since second grade and he was always joking around with me, trying to cheer me up. He'd always say to me, " Lindsey, there are many out there who have a tougher life than you." I knew he was trying to make me feel better, but I believed him anyhow.7

One particular morning, when I awoke to go to school, father was not there. He was gone, he had probably been drinking all night and never came home. Harriet was watching cartoons and Jacob was eating frosted flakes.8

" Have you two seen father anywhere?" I asked hopefully.9

There was a dead silence, as if someone had muted the world for a split second.10

Then, finally, Harriet spoke up.11

" Lindsey, father is gone."12

" I know he's gone, do you know where he's gone to?"13

" To heaven." Harriet responded, her head down, tears running down her cheeks.14

" What?"15

" To heaven." Harriet repeated, her head still down.16

" How do you know this?"17

" Just.. follow me." Harriet said quietly.18

Harriet got up from the sofa where she had been watching television and went into the bathroom. I followed carefully and fearfully.19

Lying on the cold tiled floor was father, pale as a white sheet and his forehead ice cold. Next to him was an empty bottle of pills, that he had obviously overdosed on.20

Tears spilled from my eyes.21

" Why didn't you wake me up, Harriet? Why didn't you get help?"22

" Because I came in here right before he died, Lindsey. He told me not to get help, he wanted to meet god."23

" Oh my god." was all I could mumble as I sobbed.24

I ran into the kitchen, still bawling and called Larson. He picked up.25

" Ello?"26

" Hi Larson, look, my father just died. I need to get the people from the morgue to come pick him up."27

" Oh, Lindsey, that's horrible, do you want me to come over there right now?"28

" That would be nice." I said, crying my eyes out.29

About thirty minutes of waiting, the doorbell rang.30

Larson was in the doorway.31

He had a jade plant in his hand.32

He handed me the plant.33

" Lindsey, your father did not deserve to die and this is why I am doing this."34

" Doing what?"35

" Where is your father?" he asked.36

I lead him to the bathroom, where her father was sprawled. Larson took the plant back from Lindsey and layed it upon her father's chest.37

The plant started changing color and sparkling like magic. It turned a crimson color before it started flitting away.38

All of a sudden, the plant disappeared, and father slowly opened his eyes. 39

My eys widened.40

" But, how....??" I started.41

" Magic." Larson said smiling.42

I hugged father tightly and helped him off the floor. Harriet and Jacob yelled, " Father, father!!"43

They hugged him also, crying their eyes out.44

Larson and I stepped out onto the balcony of our house. 45

" That was really neat and magical." I said.46

" Kind of like I am." Larson replied.47

" Huh?" I asked.48

Larson said, " I was brought to you, Lindsey to help you. I needed you and you needed me, but now I must go back."49

I was so confused, I couldn't think.50

" Go back, go back where?" I asked.51

Before I could speak another word, Larson kissed me gently on my lips.52

I smiled and turned a bright shade of red.53

Before I could thank Larson, he disappeard, into thin air. I didn't know where he went, but I knew he was an angel that god had sent down from heaven to protect our family and someone for me to love.54