5

5

(Present time. Phoenix, Arizona)
   A few hours go by as I wait for Carol to return, I sat there on the couch in confused; curious really. About why she left in such a hurry and what got her so upset after she answered the phone. My mind was racing with possibilities but, I didn't want to believe that at least one of them might've been true. After everything that had been going on, I was already out of it. My thoughts just made it worse, they pulled me into this massive conspiracy of images that seemed to keep me in my own little world. That was until I heard Casey come out of her bedroom. She had been sleeping the entire time completely clueless about what was going on. Her innocence only made me feel worse about my thoughts but, I figured that maybe her presence would help take my mind off things.
   "Hey sweetheart" I said smiling softly at her as she wondered slowly into the living room.   Her long, darkbrown hair a mess from where she had been tossing and turning in her sleep. "What are you doing up?"
    "I had a bad dream" she mumbled lightly as I picked her up, placing her in my lap.
     "Is mommy okay?" She asks as she rubs her eyes and leans against me.
      "Mommy's fine love" I say lightly, my accent showing a bit as I prayed that my statement was true
   We sit together for a while watching television together as we wait for Carol to return, I occasionally look down at Casey making sure she was still awake. I glance over at the clock, seeing how late it had gotten and begin to worry once  more. My mind racing again as the previous thoughts return.
   "I need to take my mind off of this" I think to myself, glancing down at Casey once more and finally breaking the silence.
     "Are you hungry sweetheart?" I ask her lightly.
    She nods her head. I smile softly at her and set her down next to me, pushing off the sofa and heading into the kitchen. I stand still for a moment trying to think of something simple and quick I could make and decide on grilled cheese sandwiches. For me it was quick to make, least the way I would always make them anyways. I take out a couple slices of cheese from the fridge and set them on the counter, turning on the toaster oven in the process as I grab the loaf of bread and take out four slices. I quickly make the sandwiches and pop them in the toaster oven, pressing the button again to reset the timer as I pitch the plastic cheese wrappers and head back into the living room and lean against the wooden threshold.
    I watch her as I wait for the timer to go off, seeing her look around the room with wonder. She smiles as her eyes meet mine and I smile back at her before looking behind me as the timer rings. I push off the doorway and head back into the kitchen, grabbing a small plate from the cabinet and the grilled cheese out the toaster; setting it on the plate as I carry it into the living room. She scoots forward as I set the plate on the coffee table thanking me as I look over at window,seeing Carol pull into the driveway.
I watch her as she gets out of the the light from the street lamps showing tears as they roll down her face. I turn and head out of the room as she enters the house greeting her at the front door. She says nothing as she looks up at me and takes my hand and leads me into the kitchen.
"Is everything okay?" I ask, worried as I lean against the kitchen island.
"James I don't know how to tell you this but that was the hospital that called." she says faintly.
"Why? What happened?" I ask as quickly look up at her.
"You mother and sister were in a really bad car accident"
"Oh my god are they okay?" I say as my heart begins to race.
"James I'm so sorry but they didn't make it."
I feel my heart drop at the sound of her words and I look down towards the floor in disbelief.Tears beginning to sting in the back of my eyes as it starts to sink in. She wraps her arms around me as I push off the kitchen island quickly, stopping me in my tracks. I turn to face her and hug her back tightly, standing with her for a few minutes before finally pushing away lightly.
"Oh god, what are we going to tell Casey?" I say, my voice shaky as I glance towards the living room.
"Oh no Jay..we can't" she says sicking in a light breath. "Not now."
"We'll we have to tell her something" I say looking back her quickly. "We have to.." I say as a tear rolls down my cheek.
"You're right, we owe it too her." Carol says sighing lightly. "But we can't tell her the truth now."
"So what do we tell her?"
"We'll just have to make something up till your father and I get everything sorted out."
"Alright" I say as I wipe the tears from off my face and head out of the kitchen and back into the living room, Carol following silently behind me.
I watch Casey as she looks around the room with curiosity and smile softly at her as her eyes meet mine. She smiles back as I walk over to the sofa and sit down next to her, shifting in my seat to face her.
"Sweetheart I'm afraid there's been a change of plans" I say lightly. "Mommy and grandma are going to gone a little longer than they expected."
"When will they be back" She asks lightly
"I don't know hun but, we going to be staying here with aunt Carol until they do, okay?"
"Okay" she says lightly, looking down at the floor.
" hey, don't worry" I say as I gently lift her head. "We'll have fun these next to weeks." I say now smiling softly at her.
"Promise?" She asks smiling back.
"I promise. Now let's get to bed, we've got a long day ahead of us tomorrow." I say as I pick her up and carry her down the hall to her room.
"But I'm not sleepy " she says yawning as I tuck her into her bed."
"I know sweetie but, we have to be up early tomorrow." I say as kiss her forehead and turn to head out of her room.
"Uncle Jay" she says lightly, watching me as I look back towards her. "Can you stay until I fall asleep?" She asks lightly.
"Sure hun" I say turning around and sitting down next to her on the bed, feeling the bed shake a little as she sits up and leans against my arm.
I begin humming softly, as I wrap my arm around her; hearing her hum with me as she slowly drifted to sleep. After a few minutes her humming fades and I look down at her seeing her fast asleep. I smile softly, and gently move my arm from around her and carefully stand up. I carefully scoot her back to her pillow and fix her cover over her before kissing her forehead once more and heading out of her room. I pause in the doorway and look back at her, seeing a light smile on her face before leaving her room completely and shutting the door behind me.
I look down the hall towards the living room and kitchen, the doorways filled with the darkness. I quietly head down the hall to my room and shut the door behind me walking over to my bed and lying down. I sigh with a shakey breath as my thoughts go back to my mother and sister. I couldn't believe that I had lost them both, I didn't want to.
They had been the closest to me since my father had left to work in Los Angeles and now they were gone, torn away from me. Even worse, torn away from Casey, who still doesn't have a clue about what's going on. The thought of it alone was crushing me but, I new I had to be strong. For Casey, for my aunt Carol, and for my father.