Short story.
For those of you who know the poem Mid-term Break, here is a short story that I wrote as part of my coursework.
I had been sat in sick bay for most of the morning. Mr. Collins, the Head teacher, had came and taken me from lesson. He asked me to go to sick bay where he had some very important news to tell me.
When we got there my form tutor and the school nurse were there to greet us, their face's unsmiling. I sat down in an empty chair and asked why I was there.
"We've got some bad news for you Seamus and there's no easy way to say this. Your brother was involved in a car accident. He was knocked down yesterday while he was playing. I'm afraid he died in the early hours of this morning as a result of his injuries."
I could feel my heart miss a beat as I realised what this meant. My head was spinning, I couldn't breath properly and soon started to hyperventilate. Before I knew it I had thrown up all over my shoes.
"Seamus, are you ok? Don't worry you'll be fine, you just need to take a few deep breaths. Your neighbours, the O'Keeffe's, are coming to pick you up and take you home for the funeral. I think it would be best if you stayed with me until they get here just in case." Her voice was soft and soothing like my mothers and instantly made feel better.
A few hours later Mr and Mrs O'Keeffe turned ready to collect me, but before they came to talk to me they spoke to the nurse.
"After he was informed he became dizzy and vomited but he has been fine since. He's not said a word since; I think he may be in shock. Try to get him to talk about something that interests him, it might take his mind off his brother for a while." Her sweet voice floated through the door and into my head. I let the soothing sound cover me and protect me from the horrible truth that waited for me at home.
Mrs. O'Keeffe came in quietly and sat beside me. "How are you my dear? I know how hard it can be to lose someone close to you and it's ok to cry."
"Can we go?" I think I shocked her because as soon as the words had left my mouth she got and moved to the door. "Yes of course, if that’s what you want." Her voice wobbled and it sounded like she was going to cry.
As we got to the gates my class mates were looking out of the window, waving. I looked back and gave a half hearted wave.
In the car on the way back no-one said a word. Mr. O'Keeffe drove and Mrs. O'Keeffe sat daydreaming. I watched the country pass by through the window.
Father was sat on the porch, crying, he was clutching one of my brothers toys.
"He was sat there this mornin'. It don't look like he's moved."
I left the O'Keeffe's behind and walked slowly up the steps. When he heard me he ran over and hugged me. It felt like an age had passed before he let me go. His face was unshaved and he had red puffy eyes from crying. I had never seen him like that before, he was always tidy looking, clean shaven and well dressed. I put my eyes to the floor to avoid crying.
Once he had straightened up he took hold of my hand and led me inside. Usually when I came home from school there was a smell of fresh bread, but not that day, it smelled empty.
As father led me through the living room, where my mother sat, I was greeted by thirty other faces unknown to me. Older men took my hand and told me they were sorry for our loss. Women informed one another that I was the elder brother, away at school.
I walked slowly up to her and hugged her. I had never seen her so upset before; she was usually so bright and cheerful. She grabbed me and hugged and held me until I couldn’t breathe. She kissed my head and told me she loved me. Even when she’d let go she kept hold of my hand, I could tell she didn’t want to let go, she was holding on to her last hope. I could see it in her eyes.
The ambulance arrived the next morning at 10 O’clock. I watched from the safety of my window as they unloaded his corps. Mother came to get me 10 minuets later; she took me to the room where his body was being kept until the funeral.
“You can go and say goodbye on your own if you like. I can come in with you if you like?” She said between sobs
“I want to say good bye on my own.” I almost chocked on the tears I was holding back.
Her eyes filled with tears again “Will you give him this? I don’t want him to be lonely.” She held out his favorite bear, he couldn’t sleep without it. I took the bear and walked slowly through the door. The sooner I said good bye the sooner I could say hello and hold him in heaven.
The curtains were drawn and candle light soothed the small room. Snowdrops hung their heads on the shelf above his coffin. Slowly and carefully I edged towards his coffin. His body was limp and pale. He wore and poppy bruise on his left temple. He lay so still in his box as if he were sleeping. He bore no scars, the bumper knocked him clear. I lay the bear in the crook of his arm and gently kissed his precious little head. A tear landed on his chest.
A four foot box a foot for every year.
I had been sat in sick bay for most of the morning. Mr. Collins, the Head teacher, had came and taken me from lesson. He asked me to go to sick bay where he had some very important news to tell me.
When we got there my form tutor and the school nurse were there to greet us, their face's unsmiling. I sat down in an empty chair and asked why I was there.
"We've got some bad news for you Seamus and there's no easy way to say this. Your brother was involved in a car accident. He was knocked down yesterday while he was playing. I'm afraid he died in the early hours of this morning as a result of his injuries."
I could feel my heart miss a beat as I realised what this meant. My head was spinning, I couldn't breath properly and soon started to hyperventilate. Before I knew it I had thrown up all over my shoes.
"Seamus, are you ok? Don't worry you'll be fine, you just need to take a few deep breaths. Your neighbours, the O'Keeffe's, are coming to pick you up and take you home for the funeral. I think it would be best if you stayed with me until they get here just in case." Her voice was soft and soothing like my mothers and instantly made feel better.
A few hours later Mr and Mrs O'Keeffe turned ready to collect me, but before they came to talk to me they spoke to the nurse.
"After he was informed he became dizzy and vomited but he has been fine since. He's not said a word since; I think he may be in shock. Try to get him to talk about something that interests him, it might take his mind off his brother for a while." Her sweet voice floated through the door and into my head. I let the soothing sound cover me and protect me from the horrible truth that waited for me at home.
Mrs. O'Keeffe came in quietly and sat beside me. "How are you my dear? I know how hard it can be to lose someone close to you and it's ok to cry."
"Can we go?" I think I shocked her because as soon as the words had left my mouth she got and moved to the door. "Yes of course, if that’s what you want." Her voice wobbled and it sounded like she was going to cry.
As we got to the gates my class mates were looking out of the window, waving. I looked back and gave a half hearted wave.
In the car on the way back no-one said a word. Mr. O'Keeffe drove and Mrs. O'Keeffe sat daydreaming. I watched the country pass by through the window.
Father was sat on the porch, crying, he was clutching one of my brothers toys.
"He was sat there this mornin'. It don't look like he's moved."
I left the O'Keeffe's behind and walked slowly up the steps. When he heard me he ran over and hugged me. It felt like an age had passed before he let me go. His face was unshaved and he had red puffy eyes from crying. I had never seen him like that before, he was always tidy looking, clean shaven and well dressed. I put my eyes to the floor to avoid crying.
Once he had straightened up he took hold of my hand and led me inside. Usually when I came home from school there was a smell of fresh bread, but not that day, it smelled empty.
As father led me through the living room, where my mother sat, I was greeted by thirty other faces unknown to me. Older men took my hand and told me they were sorry for our loss. Women informed one another that I was the elder brother, away at school.
I walked slowly up to her and hugged her. I had never seen her so upset before; she was usually so bright and cheerful. She grabbed me and hugged and held me until I couldn’t breathe. She kissed my head and told me she loved me. Even when she’d let go she kept hold of my hand, I could tell she didn’t want to let go, she was holding on to her last hope. I could see it in her eyes.
The ambulance arrived the next morning at 10 O’clock. I watched from the safety of my window as they unloaded his corps. Mother came to get me 10 minuets later; she took me to the room where his body was being kept until the funeral.
“You can go and say goodbye on your own if you like. I can come in with you if you like?” She said between sobs
“I want to say good bye on my own.” I almost chocked on the tears I was holding back.
Her eyes filled with tears again “Will you give him this? I don’t want him to be lonely.” She held out his favorite bear, he couldn’t sleep without it. I took the bear and walked slowly through the door. The sooner I said good bye the sooner I could say hello and hold him in heaven.
The curtains were drawn and candle light soothed the small room. Snowdrops hung their heads on the shelf above his coffin. Slowly and carefully I edged towards his coffin. His body was limp and pale. He wore and poppy bruise on his left temple. He lay so still in his box as if he were sleeping. He bore no scars, the bumper knocked him clear. I lay the bear in the crook of his arm and gently kissed his precious little head. A tear landed on his chest.
A four foot box a foot for every year.