The Story of a Ten Year Old Girl

1

It all began with a letter.2

Enclosed in that letter, was a touching statement. A heart breaking statement. Some may call it 'real bad news'. This is the adventure of the letter and the daughter of the woman to whom it was recived.3

I awoke to the smoky scent of bacon and pancakes. As I got out of bed, I reminded myself not to get excited, or too excited. I slipped on my jeans and shirt and proceded in a slow gait through the hallway. There was the kitchen, with bacon and pancakes on the stove. I smiled with contentment, because this was what I was hoping for. Breakfast and an easy day. My mother was cooking, and, as usual, humming. Smiling, I asked her "How was your sleep?". And, also as usual, she replied simply with a "Oh, it was fine. Very deep, but fine." And then she would smile.4

With this smile, I knew that everything was okay. I walked back to the bathroom to brush my hair and teeth. After I was done, I spied the clock. It was only 7:00. My job of taking the mail and walking the dogs would begin in an hour. Thinking I would be hurried, I darted to the kitchen. "Is it ready?" I asked my mother. She flipped a pancake. "Almost, honey. By the way, Kyra, what would you consider 'touching'?" She asked. I thought about this. Why was she asking me what I thought touching was?5

"I think touching is being nuzzled by an animal, or bad news." I shuddered at 'bad news'. My mother looked at me. "Are you cold, dear? What is it? What is the matter?" I pushed back a strand of hair. I wanted to ask her what in the world was she talking about, but I simply told her I was a bit chilly. In response, she served up the breakfst and turned up the heating. It was mid summer.6

I ate and ate without hesitation. Today would be my first day of summer vacation. I wanted to spend it well. After I ate, I washed my plate. "Have a nice time walking Adue and Skye! Oh, and don't forget to check the mail." She handed me the keys. Taking the leashes, I headed out of the door. Adue was in a hurry. She barked and barked, and to calm her down I gave her a treat. Skye whimpered and begged. I gave her half. Now I was walking down the street, forgetting the mail. Skye barked and went the other way. Oh! I was forgeting the mail! I realized that and ran the other way.7

Finally, I reached the mail box. I opened the slot and took out three pieces of mail. One was labled DO YOU HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE? I put that one in the back of the stack. The next one was labled DOGS: ALL ABOUT THOSE ADORABLE PETS OF YOURS. I put that one at the bottom, so that I could later on read it for Skye. The last letter had something printed on it that I couldn't read. "What's this? WE'RE SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS?" I read aloud. Who was lost? I rushed to the front door and turned the brass knob. "Who died?" I asked a little louder that I should have. My mom looked at me sternly. "WHAT?" She yelled. I handed her the letter.8

She broke out in tears. "What is it mother?" I asked her. She ran to her room and locked it. All I could hear was her sniveles. As i listened to her sobs, I looked at the letter. 9

DEAR VICTORIA PERRIN,10

WE ARE SORRY TO IMFORM YOU THAT YOUR SURGERY DID NOT GO AS PLANNED. ONE OF THE SURGEONS MESSED UP AND, WHEN HE WAS OPERATING ON THE HEART, HE POKED A MINOR VEIN. YOU HAVE EXACTLY THREE MONTHS TO LIVE, BUT BY MIDNIGHT OF THAT NIGHT, YOU MUST SEEK OUR HELP. YOU MUST NOT LET YOUR KYRA SEE YOU DIE. AGAIN, WE ARE SORRY. DR. REVYNNS HAS BEEN ASSIGNED ANOTHER JOB IN THE DOCTORING FIELDS. 11

REGRETTINGLY,12

MRS. ELLIE M. HYEHER.13

End of chapter one.----