From A Corner of My Imagination: Singing like a Mircale

Singing like a Mircale

By: Emma Ladner

Chapter One

Two days after I was born my Mama died. Along with my twin sister. It was a hot July morning, it was a wet day too. My mama and my sister were driving back from the beach. My mama had just informed my Papa that she was coming on home. In the street a big huge red truck came and crashed into my Mama’s car. Mama’s car rolled over. My sister, had not had her seat belt on and rolled out the window. Of course the car rolled over her. Down at the crack of the hill was a gasoline tank giving new gasoline to a gasoline tank. Mama and her car rolled right into that truck and the truck, my mama, and her car exploded. Of course my mama died! Anyways as soon as my Papa found out he went to the crime scene. And on top of that red truck was my Uncle Jimmy. My brothers were surprised. I didn’t know anything about it, seeing I was just a baby. Anyways my Papa got into an explosive argument with my Uncle Jimmy. My Uncle tried to explain it was an accident but my Papa wouldn’t forgive him, stroking my sister’s wet hair. Papa kept on crying and Uncle Jimmy kept on apolgozing and my brothers just kept on staring. I can’t forget that day. Not only was it the day my Mama and my sister were killed but it was also my one month birthday.

But that was fourteen years ago. I turned fourteen just a month ago and a lot of things have changed in the house. We adopted two little kids. A girl named Cassie and a boy named Peter. My older brothers; Jessie and James were about seventeen meaning they got to know my Mama till they were three years old. Papa lost his happy love smile. Now instead of his nice, cheerful blue eyes, are blue eyes that are lonely. Looking like they are searching for some kind of answer to their life and meaning. My Papa also grew a beard and a mustache and he only has one picture of every single real family member together. And that picture is on his bedside table. It showed a nice man with his arm around a gorgeous woman. The man, my Papa, was holding my sister, Kate. And the woman, my mama, was holding me in her lap. Jessie and James were beside them and we were sitting on the couch. At my mama and papa’s feet was our dead dog, Sammie. Sammie died seven years ago. So I was only seven. My papa had another picture. Papa and Mama on their wedding day hugging each other. Papa found it in my sister’s princess purse when he was stroking her hair. Papa won’t let us get another dog or a cat. He says it was my Mama’s favorite animals. He also won’t let us get a turtle or a rabbit. He said that was Kate’s favorite animals. The thing I hate about drives with my Papa is that he looks out the window every time as if he’s going to see my Mama and my sister coming up that hill. On Saturday my Papa skips work to go to my sister and mama’s graves. He places flowers on them, kisses his fingers and then touches the graves and then he prays. Sometimes he prays for us but mostly it’s for my Mama and sister.

Chapter Two

One night I came into my Papa’s room. He was holding a picture of him and my mama together. He had tears in his eyes and tears trickling down his cheeks. “Papa,” I said. My Papa looked up. “Yes Beth?” he asked. “It’s Anna Papa.” I said. “Oh yes… you’re not Beth… she’s dead.” Said my papa. I looked down at my feet and then up at my Papa. “Cassie’s ill Papa. Can you go fetch Dr. Herman?” I asked. “Why?” asked my Papa. “Cause Cassie ill.” I said. “I really don’t want to. What’s the point of saving somebody when you’ve lost everything else?” asked my Papa. I stared at my Papa for a long time. He was pretty much saying Jessie, James, and I were nothing to him! “Because, well you’ll feel guilty.” I said. “I feel like dying Anna.” Said my Papa. “Papa don’t murder y0urself!” I said. “Anna what’s the point of living if you have nothing left?” asked my Papa. I ran and jumped beside my Papa and began sobbing. “Papa p-p-please don’t die!” I said. “Anna come on! You’re too old for this!” said my Papa. “I’m too young for you to die too!” I sobbed. “Anna,” My Papa put me on his lap. “I’ve known your mama for a very long time.” He said, pulling hair behind my ear. “When I was new in fourth grade your mama helped me become popular. If it wasn’t for her you wouldn’t be here and I would be a moron.” Said my papa. “We began dating at age twelve and kept it going for ten years. We dated through high school and had many dates. We went to the same college and had many dates. I was the quarterback of the college football team. She was the captain of the college cheerleading team.” Said my Papa. “I grew up with your mama, and want to know what I said when you and Kate came into my arms?” asked my Papa. I shrugged. “I said ‘Beth they look exactly like you!’ and I wasn’t wrong. Just look at your mama and look at you!” said my Papa. I look at the picture of my Mama and then at me in my Papa’s mirror. “We do look alike Papa.” I said. “I will stay alive as long as I can bare.” Said my Papa. Then there was long scream. Jessie came running in. “Anna! It’s Cassie!” said Jessie. I came running into Cassie’s room. Her arm was out pointing at something and screaming. “CASSIE!” I said. I ran over. “Cassie! Stop!” I said. Cassie looked as if something was going to kill her. “CASSIE!” I said. But Cassie’s arm dropped, her scream faded and her pupils fell to white. She was dead. I began crying and soon everybody began crying. I looked at the wall were she had been pointing and saw the letters. ‘You’re Dead’. No wonder she had freaken out! But how had she died? I stared at my sister and then later that week we buried her beside my sister and my mama. Now my Papa had an extra person. He had Cassie and there was nothing Papa could do about it.

Sunday morning came, and we all dressed up for church. I wore a nice long dress. A pretty pink one. I pulled my black hair in a bun and put on white shoes. My brothers, however put on a nice tuxedos. I then grabbed my bible, and walked over to church with my family. Many people were there to gather for the praying of the lord. I bowed my head and we said a pray. The thing I like about church is when we come to have a pray we have to hold each other’s hands. And who is the person I have to hold hands with? Cody Duncan, the most popular boy in my school. See I don’t have any friends so obviously Cody and I have no chance of getting together. See popular and nerdy time don’t go together. Popular people don’t like to do school work, they would rather be by friends. Now nerdy people; like me, like to do work and homework and extra credit projects. I’ve never been late but the school finds this odd since James and Jesse were big goof-offers. When I went to sleep I said a pray for everybody I knew and prayed for Cassie, who now lay in the holy god’s arms.

Chapter Three

School

The thing about school is if you aren’t cool there isn’t a chance of you having any friends. Cody Duncan has many friends. I’m not as cool. I’m what you Americans would call a ‘teacher’s pet’. People judge me by my clothing. See Papa never buys us our own clothes so I have to make clothes for everybody. However, Papa would rather lay dead as ashes. When I walked in Monday, I went straight to my teacher’s room. We don’t switch classes but we do have breaks. I gave my teacher my extra credit project on Stars and then I took a seat. I took out my homework and then I began writing my essay about the planets. Mercury, But I only got to Mercury because who would dump his breakfast on my paper by Sammie Wilson, Cody Duncan’s best friend. He had just strutted in. I looked at Sammie. “You wild mouth!” I said. It was suddenly quiet. I didn’t know what I had just done! And then I remembered I called Sammie Wilson a wild mouth. Nobody had the guts because Sammie would have beat you right then and there if they wasn’t an adult around. I ran out of the classroom and I bumped into Cody Duncan. The one person I didn’t want to see at this moment. “Oops! Sorry!” said Cody, standing up. I stood up. “Hey aren’t you Beth Simpson?” asked Cody. I nodded. “Look you don’t want to be seen with me.” I said. “Cody!” said Sammie. Cody looked at Sammie. “Yeah?” asked Cody. “What are you doing with Nerdy?” asked Sammie. “Nerdy?” I asked. “Yea Nerdy. Cody came up with the nickname for you.” Said Sammie. I looked at Cody. I felt tears swell up in my eyes. “Cody, is that true?” I asked. “Well of course it’s true!” said Sammie. Cody bowed his head. “I’m sorry Beth.” He muttered. I broke into a sob and ran down the hall to the girl’s bathroom. I washed my face and then I walked back to class where I did a example of alegrba. I then did an example of every other thing imaginable. Then we walked to our classes. When I walked into music class I saw Cody Duncan. I clutched my music book and my violin and then I walked and sat down in my chair. “Morning students!” said my music teacher, setting down her book. “Who wants to sing first?” asked the music teacher. Nobody, not even my teacher, knew I would be the first to raise my hand. See I usually don’t like singing because one mistake can make you miserable for the rest of your life. “Miss Beth?” asked my music teacher. I put my violin and music book down. I walked to the front. “Well… class what a surprise!” said the music teacher. “Well take it away Beth!” said my music teacher. “Well I visited America for a project. And I heard this song many times so I decided to sing it.” I said.

“No, I can't take one more step towards you
‘Cause all that's waiting is regret
Don't you know I'm not your ghost anymore
You lost the love I loved the most

I learned to live, half alive
And now you want me one more time

[Chorus:]
And who do you think you are?
Runnin' 'round leaving scars
Collecting your jar of hearts
And tearing love apart
You're gonna catch a cold
From the ice inside your soul
So don't come back for me
Who do you think you are?

I hear you're asking all around
If I am anywhere to be found
But I have grown too strong
To ever fall back in your arms

I've learned to live, half alive
And now you want me one more time

It took so long just to feel alright
Remember how to put back the light in my eyes
I wish I had missed the first time that we kissed
‘Cause you broke all your promises
And now you're back
You don't get to get me back

Who do you think you are?
Runnin' 'round leaving scars
Collecting your jar of hearts
And tearing love apart
You're gonna catch a cold
From the ice inside your soul
Don't come back for me
Don't come back at all

And who do you think you are?
Runnin' 'round leaving scars
Collecting your jar of hearts
And tearing love apart
You're gonna catch a cold
From the ice inside your soul
Don't come back for me
Don't come back at all

Who do you think you are?
Who do you think you are?
Who do you think you are?”

When I finished there was the wildest applause. I nearly fainted so I sat down immeadilty. “BEAUTIFUL!” cried my teacher. She was crying. “Oh I must go get the principal!” and she ran off. It was then silent. I clutched my hands and bowed my head. I felt many eyes on top of me. A few minutes later my music teacher and the principal arrived. “Sing!” said the music teacher. I stood up.

Soon the PTA arrived, then the teachers, and then who would it be but the whole school. Assembly was taken place in the gym. I had no idea why though. “Hello, I’m Beth Simpson. And I’m going to sing a song I heard in America.” I said. I looked at my music teacher and she played the song notes I had given to her on the piano.

When I finished the school clapped and the PTA decided to put up posters. I knew I was going to fulfill my mother’s dream. On opening night I looked at the seat I had reserved for my Papa. I stared at it. It was empty. I looked at the crowd. I didn’t see my Papa anywhere. The piano began playing. I began singing.

Then I saw my Papa. He came right when I finished the last word. I looked at my teacher. “May I sing another song?” I asked. “Sure dear.” I handed her the notes.

I began singing.

“If I die young, bury me in satin
Lay me down on a, bed of roses
Sink me in the river, at dawn
Send me away with the words of a love song

Uh oh, uh oh

Lord make me a rainbow, I'll shine down on my mother
She'll know I'm safe with you when she stands under my colors, oh and
Life ain't always what you think it ought to be, no
Ain't even grey, but she buries her baby

The sharp knife of a short life, well
I've had just enough time

If I die young, bury me in satin
Lay me down on a bed of roses
Sink me in the river at dawn
Send me away with the words of a love song

The sharp knife of a short life, well
I've had just enough time

And I'll be wearing white, when I come into your kingdom
I'm as green as the ring on my little cold finger,
I've never known the lovin' of a man
But it sure felt nice when he was holding my hand,
There's a boy here in town who says he'll love me forever,
Who would have thought forever could be severed by

The sharp knife of a short life, well,
I've had just enough time

So put on your best boys and I'll wear my pearls
What I never did is done

A penny for my thoughts, oh no, I'll sell them for a dollar
They're worth so much more after I'm a goner
And maybe then you'll hear the words I been singin'
Funny when you're dead how people start listenin'

If I die young, bury me in satin
Lay me down on a bed of roses
Sink me in the river at dawn
Send me away with the words of a love song

Uh oh (uh, oh)
The ballad of a dove (uh, oh)
Go with peace and love
Gather up your tears, keep 'em in your pocket
Save them for a time when you're really gonna need them, oh

The sharp knife of a short life, well
I've had just enough time

So put on your best boys and I'll wear my pearls.”

The crowd stood up and clapped. So did my Papa. He grinned at me. I grinned back. Papa smiled at me as if he was seeing Mama and Kate. And then I hopped off the stage and hugged my Papa.

Chapter Four

Deaths

Over the next few months I became popular even though I was a nerdy girl. Cody, however, asked me out. I thought about my Papa’s rule. “No dating until you are sixteen.” I looked at Cody and said, “I really would Cody, just my Papa made a rule of no dating until you are sixteen.” I said. “Beth, your brothers started dating at fourteen! Can’t you?” asked Cody. “Cody I’m nothing like my brothers. Now they are used to breaking rules. Turning against their families members. And sometimes they even turn against God.” I said. “I’m a true Christian Cody. And I honestly can’t date you. I’m very sorry.” I said. “What about making a law?” asked Cody. “Cody I’m not spending my college money to make a new law. Plus, I don’t want to change something just so I can have it.” I said. “Beth come on!” said Cody. “Cody you should just be thankful of what you have!” I said. Cody stared at me. “What?” he asked. “You have a home, a family, and food!” I said. “So?” he asked. “So…” I said, grabbing my books. “Some people in the world Cody. Are less fournate.” I said. “They don’t have anything! Babies, some of them don’t have any food, families, or an homes!” I said. “So what? That’s not our problem!” said Cody. “Cody you’re a Christian and you are supposed to pray for the less fournate. God says that, that is the best thing to do during times when you are praying.” I said. “I don’t see you praying!” said Cody. “I do pray Cody. And I know you do too. My Papa was best friends with your Papa. And then my Papa turned against his brother and your Papa turned against my Papa!” I said. Cody sneered at me and walked off. I grinned. I’d done the right thing. I hadn’t broken anything. Then Jessie and James came running down the hall. “Beth!” they yelled, running to me. “What’s wrong guys?” I asked. “Papa! Papa he’s been murdered!” said Jessie. “What?”I asked. “Come on!” said James, they grabbed my hands and we ran down the hallway.

When we came home we ran to our Papa’s bed. His wallet was on the ground and wide open. Papa lay beside it. He really was dead. I bent down to my Papa and cried. “What happened?” I asked. “Bandits!” said James, coming down beside Papa. “Papa! Papa no please!” I cried. Peter came running in. I bowed my head on top of Papa and I cried. “Papa please!” I said. My Papa reached his hand out. “Beth…” his voice was crisp. “Papa!” I said, grabbing his hands. “You proved me wrong angel.” He said. “Papa don’t die!” I said. “You made a dream come true Beth. You are a miracle.” Said my Papa. And his hand dropped and his eyes closed and he whispered. “I love you.” I began sobbing. My brothers stood there and stared at my father. “Papa!” we yelled.

The next week when we came home Peter had been murdered by bandits also. “Peter!” we said. I swept him up. “I was supposed to take care of him!” I said. And I wept on him. We buried Peter and Papa right beside Kate, Cassie, and Mama. Then we prayed. Everybody stared at me and my brothers over the weeks. Apparently they had all heard about my brother and papa’s death. When my brothers and I walked down the hall it became quiet and everybody watched us.

One day James checked out because he was sick. When we got home he had died of illness. “What did he have Jessie?” I asked. “Cancer.” Said Jessie, holding up a fistful of James’s hair. “Cancer?! Oh James please don’t be dead! We’ve already lost enough!” I cried. But then again we buried another family member and prayed. The next three years Jessie and I didn’t forget the sudden deaths. Then one day during a assembly, Jessie stayed behind to get some water and he choked on the water and died. When we got back the principal called me to the office and I cried over my brother. I went on to my senior year and graduated high school. Then came the hardest thing that would ever happen to me…

College.

Chapter Five

Eight College Years

I went to a college with Cody. There we started dating at the beginning of the year. It was a private college. Now days there isn’t any private colleges but this one I went to was. I wore a nice navy blue leather dress with black shoes. The boys wore navy blue tuxedos. I met fifty girls my first year. Two of them died from having too much sugar before soccer. My three best friends from college were in my cabin; Jenny, Crystal, and Anne. On Saturday nights Cody would come to pick me up and Jenny, Crystal, and Anne all watched as we drove away in Cody’s station wagon. I decided to become a teacher. Then I learned that Cody decided to be a banker. Then when we graduated and earned our degrees to become teachers and bankers I decided to become a newspaper writer. Cody decided to be a miner. So we stayed another four years and then Cody purposed to me at our graduation at age twenty-eight. Of course I said yes! We had dated for eight years! I wrote a letter to Jenny, Crystal, and Anne that Cody and I were marrying and I wanted them to be my bridesmaids.

Chapter Six

The Wedding

On the day of my wedding I wore a long white dress. I wore a silkly veil and I held a bouquet of roses. Jenny, Crystal, and Anne all wore pink dresses. Cody, of course, wore the casual tuxedo. I came up beside Cody and looked at the preacher and the preacher began. “Marriage is what brings people together. To bring generations of children into this world. God made marriage for humans to go on in life. Today we bring Beth Kathleen Simpson and Cody James Duncan together for their marriage.” Said the preacher. He turned the page of his book. “Rings!” the preacher hollered. A little boy waddled up, handed the rings to us, and ran 0ff. Cody put the ring on my ring finger. “Now repeat after me Cody.” He said. Cody nodded. “I, Cody James Duncan take Beth Kathleen Simpson to be my wife through sickness, health, and death.” Said the preacher. And Cody repeated it. Cody put the ring on my finger all the way. “Now repeat after me Beth.” Said the preacher. I nodded. I took the ringer and placed it on Cody’s finger. “I, Beth Kathleen Simpson, take Cody James Duncan to my husband through sickness, health and death.” I said. The preacher nodded. I placed the ring on his finger. “Do you Cody James Duncan take Beth Kathleen Simpson to be your wife as long as you live?” asked the preacher. “I do.” Said Cody. “And do you Beth Kathleen Simpson take Cody James Duncan to be your husband as long as you live?” asked the preacher. “I do.” I said. “You may now kissed the bride.” Said the preacher, closing his book. Cody lifted my veil and kissed me. Then they took a photograph of us. After that we got billions of dollars and we cut the cake. We said a pray and got in the station wagon. I threw my flowers and Jenny caught them and hugged Sammie. Cody and I laughed and then we rode off.

Chapter Seven

The Graveyard of Love

My sons and daughters soon got married and left me and had children of their own. Cody left me the day before our last grandchild was born. One day I walked to the graveyard were my family was buried. Their souls flew up. “Mama? Kate? Papa? James? Jessie? Peter? Cassie?” I asked. They all nodded. “How is this possible?” I asked. “Because we love you and you love us.” Said Mama. “I can’t believe I’m actually getting to see you.” Said Kate. She was still young. “Kate!” I said. I ran to hug her put I went through her. “Does it… hurt to die?” I asked, getting up with my cane. “No it’s really quick.” Said Papa. “Yeah just hope you don’t die of cancer.” Said James. “From what James says it’s way slower.” Said Jessie. “I died because the devil killed me.” Said Cassie. “Cassie says Satin came to her in her bedroom that night.” Said Peter. “Peter I’m so sorry I didn’t take better care of you. And you too Cassie.” I said. “You did a fine job of making my dream come true Beth.” Said Mama. I smiled and I began crying. “Beth,” said Mama. I looked up at her. “You’re dying.” Said Mama. And I suddenly had a heart attack. Well I was about a hundred and eight so it wasn’t so much of surprise. It was quick and non painful. And then I died. I was buried right beside my family. Cody lay beside me and for generations my grandchildren, children and so on and so forth were laid beside us. And soon the graveyard of all of us became only our family graveyard.

The End

From A Corner of My Imagination

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Singing like a Mircale

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