Saying Goodbye

On one rainy Friday afternoon, a red car swerved off the road crashing into another blue car. The person in the red car was fine, nothing more then just a few bruises.1

Yet the person in that blue car could barely hold on. Her name was Grace Myers.2

Time passed and passed, slowing down every second as her three brothers waited. They’re hearts pounding in fear. They could not lose her, they would not.3

But it wasn’t up to them and fate did not share their view. The tall dark doctor spoke clear. Grace would not hold on for long.4

They all knew they had to say their goodbyes. Yet how could they say goodbye to the person that has been like a mother to them.5

That has watched over them and kept them out of trouble.6

Grace was more then a baby sister to them. She was a healer, a friend, a caretaker and so much more. They couldn’t let her go, they needed her.7

The three brothers stood in front of the small that gave a view into Grace’s room.8

She laid under sky blue covers. So still, it almost looked like she wasn’t real.9

None of them wanted to go. But somebody had to step up.10

Travis, the youngest of the brothers, sighed heavily as he moved from his brothers’ side and walked into that pale room.11

The walls were pale white that gave a cold feeling off of them. Travis walked up to the bed.12

He stared at Grace for a moment. She was so different from her brothers.13

She had coffee brown eyes while they had green. Her hair was the perfect color of night as their were a sweet chestnut color. Grace was a spitting image of their mother.14

Travis took hold of Grace’s hand. It felt weird not to have that hand squeeze back. Comforting he and telling him everything would be just fine.15

It was up to him to stay strong. It was up to all of them.16

“Hey Gracie…”He could feel his brothers watching through the small window but he didn’t care. Tears began to fall and his voice would break.17

“…life is really going to suck without you. I don’t know how we’re going to survive without you and your mothering ways.” Travis let a small laugh slip from behind his tears. As his mind filled with the memories of the past. He didn’t want to let them go. He didn’t want to let her go.18

“I remember when I got sick a few months back. You stayed next to my bed until I was better. Bringing me tea and soup. I’m really going to miss that.” He leaned down and placed a small kiss upon her dark hair, before brushing back.19

“Goodbye, Gracie.”20

He let the hand slip from his. Walking across the room he dropped down into an uncomfortable red chair. Travis would not leave here until Grace did.21

Holding his breath Matt knew he had to do what was right. Leaving the eldest brother outside the room Matt walked in.22

It was Matt’s turn. He had always kept his distance. Never really being a touchy person before but now he couldn’t help himself. He dropped his head to her shoulders and wrapped his arms around her.23

Hoping that maybe she would feel him and wake up. “God, I’m going to miss you.” He couldn’t contain his words or tears.24

The tears began to stain his green sweater.25

“Nothings ever going to be the same without you.” He fought back his tears. “Goodbye Gracie, I love you.” He gave her one last kiss on the cheek.26

Matt moved next to his brother, sitting in the chair next to his.27

As he watched his second brother go in, he felt a horrible feeling in the pit of his stomach.28

This wasn’t right. They shouldn’t be doing this.29

Danny dropped his head against the cool glass of the window. He didn’t know what to do.30

“You know they’re doing the right thing. I’m not going to hold on forever.” Danny turned to his left to see Grace standing there.31

As if she was really there but she couldn’t be.32

Danny closed his eyes and shook his head if trying to make sure he saw what he was seeing.33

Yet when he opened them she was still there. Dressed in her black jeans and bright purple blouse. Her black hair was tide up in a pony-tail like she always wore it.34

She was staring into the room where her body lay and her two brothers said their goodbye.35

She turned her gaze to Danny. Oddly enough he didn’t seem freaked out. How could he be, it was Grace. Even as a ghost she gave him a warm and protected feeling.36

“You know you’re going to have to say goodbye to.” She raised her eyebrow slightly.37

Danny just kept shaking his head as he wandered off. Hell no! Was he going to be lectured by somebody that wasn’t supposed to even be there?38

He quickly walked, almost running, around the hospital. The cold rooms and the smell of medicine made a shiver crawl up and down his spine.39

Danny somehow made his way to the cafeteria. That’s I need is a cup of coffee, he thought.40

That maybe his hallucination was from lack of sleep. They had been up for almost twenty-four hours, during surgery and waiting for the results. Not like you could really sleep through all that.41

He sat down at a small table with two blue seats. He ran his fingers through his hair. Sighing heavily before taking a sip of the coffee.42

The whole place was empty. It was four-thirty in the morning, thought.43

“I thought you hated coffee?” There she was again. Sitting in the chair across from his. Her eyes soft and caring.44

“Why are you here?” Danny stared into his coffee but he could feel Gracie’s coffee eyes on him.45

“I’m a figment of your imagination. You want me gone; all you gotta do is wish me away.” He shut his eyes tight. Trying to wish away the spirit that haunted him.46

Danny opened his forest eyes slowly and saw nothing across from him. She was really gone, he had done it.47

“Boo!” A voice shouted next to his ear. Causing him to jump up from his seat.48

The voice walked over back to her seat. She folded her hands and let the fall to the table. A soft warming smile formed on her lips.49

“You really think it would be that easy. I’d leave just like that.” Grave rolled her eyes and leaned back in her chair. She thought he knew better.50

She wasn’t going anywhere until he was ready to let her go.51

“I don’t know why they’re even saying goodbye to you.” He ran his fingers through his dark hair. Shuffling an already messy head of hair.52

“You’re going to be fine. You always are.” His words seemed to be a plea.53

Grace just shook her head. The warm smile leaving her. “Not this time, Danny.”54

Danny stood at the doorway. His body went cold at the sight of Grace. She looked so peaceful even with tubes and I.V.s coming out of her.55

He couldn’t do this. If he said goodbye then she would really be gone. That’s the last thing they wanted.56

“You can do this.” Danny heard Grace’s voice as if it was a breeze in the wind.57

He lowered his eyes and walked forward. Mark and Tom sitting up straight, staring at their older brother with questionable eyes.58

Danny ignored it and went on to stand next to Grace. He took of her hand. She was still so warm.59

“I’m so sorry I haven’t been around sooner.” He took a deep breath. “I couldn’t admit that we were really losing you.”60

Tears fell from his eyes. He was no longer the strong one of his brothers. His ignorance and stubbornness soon washed away.61

He knelt down by the bed, dropping his head on the side of her bed.62

“You never once got mad at us. You always forgave too easily.” He lifted his head. He waited for a moment. Praying to God, that she would just a little. Give them some hope.63

Yet that wasn’t happening. 64

“After mom passed you took full responsibility of your three idiot brothers. You were only ten.” Danny’s voice held strong some how.65

Mark and Tom could do nothing more then watch. They wanted to rush in but they knew Danny had to finish his goodbye. Grace deserved to hear it.66

“We should have taken better care of you. We didn’t deserve such a wonderful sister.” Danny stood back up.67

The side of the bed soaked with tears. The sky blue covers now had an ocean blue spot.68

Danny leaned down and placed a kiss on Grace’s forehead. Pressing his forehead to her’s. “I love you. Goodbye Grace.”69

He stood still has he heard the heart monitor begin a long beeping sound that was soon drowning out to nothing.70

Grace had held on just long enough for all of them to say goodbye. The three brothers knew it, too. Grace even in a state of unconscious would still be taking care of them.71

Danny let go of the lifeless body and moved over to the two brothers that sat crying.72

Now there were three.