Jade (Ch. 2)

Max walked out of the cellar first to see what damage was done then he waved for the girls to come out.

"We have to rebuild the house again. The storm mangled it up pretty bad. For now, we have to stay in the cellar until we find somewhere to get the supplies to build." He said, his hands in his pockets.

"I guess so." Jade sighed.

"I don't want another home." Gabrielle whined.

"Gabby, we have no choice. I know that was all we had left of mom, but if we build the house the same, it'll be alright." Jade said.

"No, Jade. It's gonna be different." Gabrielle teared up.

"Gabs, c'mon. It'll be okay. I promise. If you want, I can run down to the store and get more pictures of Mom copied. I have all the pictures of her that Daddy took of her." Jade tried to comfort her little sister.

"Jade....You would do that for me?" Gabby asked.

"I would do anything to make my baby sister happy." Jade smiled.

Gabrielle started to cry and wrapped her arms around Jade.

Jade hugged her sister, rubbing her back slowly, letting her cry.

"Jade, Gabrielle. We have to go back down to the cellar. There's no where we can stay. The house is gone, the car is totaled, and that tornado wiped out everything from what I can see. Your mother and I stocked up on supplies if a storm ever got this bad down there." Max ran a hand through his dark brown hair.

Jade looked at her father and nodded. She picked up her little sister and carried her into the cellar. Max followed.

Jade put Gabrielle down and sat indian style on the floor.

"Jade, I need to talk to you." Max said.

'Oh no. Not the talk.' Jade thought.

Jade got up and followed her father to the other side of the cellar and sat down on a chair.

"Jade. I have to talk to you about your mother and what really happened. I don't know how I'm going to break it to your sister. But this is really important." Max started.

"Oh. Okay." Jade let out the breath she's been holding.

"Jade, baby. I know how you were very close to your mother, but you don't really know the reason why she passed away." Max sat down beside Jade.

Jade looked at him with questioning eyes.

Max sighed then said, "Jade, your mama died because she was battling cancer and she has been for 14 years after she had your sister. That's why she spent so much time in the hospital. I wanted to tell you so bad, but I couldn't find the heart to tell you. I'm so sorry, Jade. I really wish I could have told you earlier. She did everything she could do with you girls, but the day she got really sick was the day she found out she was pregnant with your little brother."

"So, you knew all this time and you never said anything?! Dad! I thought mom was dying for a different reason! Why couldn't you tell me she had cancer earlier! I mean, really?! What is wrong with you?! You let me believe mom died for no reason when she was really sick and had cancer! I can't believe you, Dad!" Jade squealed.

"Jade, it's not like that. I wanted to tell you, but your mother told me not to." Max looked down.

"You could've told me anyway." Jade got up and walked across the floor.

"Jade, baby." Max sighed.

"Don't talk to me. I'm mad at you." Jade huffed.

"Ja-"

"Dad! Just leave me alone!" Jade cut him off.

Max sighed and went to another side of the room.

"Jade, what's the matter?" Gabrielle asked.

"I don't want to talk about it, Gabby." Jade waved her aside.

Gabrielle looked a little hurt.

"Daddy, what did you say to her?!" Gabby yelled.

He just shook his head.

All three of the family members ignored each other, until Jade started to cry.

"Jade! Why the tears?" Gabrielle asked.

Jade just shook her head and wiped away her tears on her hoodie sleeve, then she got up and walked out of the cellar.

"Jade, where are you going?" Max asked.

"For a walk. I need to be alone and I need some fresh air." Jade responded.

Jade walked outside and walked away from the cellar.

She walked almost a mile away until she fell to her knees.

"Why, Mama. Why didn't you tell us? You knew we would have understood. You just let us think you died out of the blue for no reason. I don't understand why you kept your sickness from us. You kept us in the dark with no clue. I love you, Mama. I miss you so much, but why didn't you let us know you were dying? Mommy. I wish you were here right now. I have so much to tell you. I miss having your arms wrapped around me when I need a hug or when you just felt like hugging me. I miss you reading to me as a little girl. I miss everything about you. I just miss you. Daddy's not much help. I've been raising little Gabby by myself. I know that you didn't like it when we got upset, but Mama, I'm so upset right now...." Jade started to cry.

Just then, a whisper of a voice ran through Jade's mind.

Jade, honey. It's okay to be upset. I didn't tell you because I love you. I didn't want you worrying about me then you finally lose me. I wanted to you to enjoy the time we had left together. I love you, too, babydoll. Tell Gabrielle and your father that I love them. I can't stay long, but I'll stay as long as I can. Now's the time you can talk to me. I'm right here.

Something touched Jade's shoulder.

"Mama?" Jade asked.

The feeling touched her again, letting her know she was right.

"Mama! Oh, Mama, I've been so mean to Daddy. Gabrielle misses you. Daddy cries everynight. I cry everyday and night. Mama. I need you. Being an adult isn't fun anymore, even though I'm only sixteen. I grew up so fast since you passed away." Jade chocked back tears.

Jade, calm down. It's okay. I understand. Babydoll, it's gonna be alright. I promise. Things will go your way soon enough. Just believe in yourself and everything will be okay. Now, go back to Dad and give him a hug for me. And Gabby too. I'm sorry that I'm not there with you. I wish I could be. I'd rather be with you and the other two than here. But do me a favor, live your life to the fullest because you never know when it's going to end. I died with a smile on my face because of my two beautiful girls and their handsome daddy. I love you guys with all my heart and I would never trade you for anything better. But I must go now. I'll try to visit you again. I love you, baby girl. Goodnight.

Jade felt the presence kiss her cheek then disappear.

"Bye, Mommy." Jade whispered, and stared out into the distance.