Memories

The picture made a paper cut when Pablo took it out of her hand.

-Pablo! you need to be more careful! -

Sandy said before putting her finger in her mouth.

-Sorry mom- said Pablo as he handed a napkin to Sandy.

Sandy took the photograph again, when was this taken?

The rest of the photographs were in the hands of Pablo and Milie.

-Mom seriously! Why did you wear these?! – Millie said as she pointed a photograph.

They were both giggling while going through the pictures coming from an envelope of a now extinct print place.

Sandy couldn’t take her eyes from the one on her hand.

What is this and why is it in this envelope?

The kids put back the other photographs in the envelope and ran outside the room.

-The last one is a saggy Dorito! - screamed Millie outside the room.

Sandy put the photograph in a box labeled “random things” and put it under the bed.

She didn’t think about the picture again.

Two weeks later she got a phone call.

The day after that phone call, Sandy, her husband Bill and her two kids were standing next to a coffin.

A tall blond man stood next to Sandy and put her arm around her shoulders.

-Glad you could make it, sis-

Sandy wiped her tears with a moist handkerchief.

-How could I not come Mike? Our little brother… - her voice broke -How did this happen?... I just talked to him three days ago- she continued.

-It was a freak accident Sandy, he was fine, he just…- Mike swallowed and clear his throat.

Some people came to greet them and the day went by.

At night Bill put aluminum foil on a casserole and put it in the fridge.

-Honey, I’ll put the kids to bed, call me if you need anything- Bill kissed Sandy on the head and nodded to Mike.

Sandy and Mike sat in the livingroom for a while and then Sandy stood up.

-I guess I’ll…-

-Didn’t you get a photograph? - Mike interrupted her.

-What? No… when? Oh, you mean Tom’s picture at the service? Yes, I… -

-No, not that picture- he said still looking at the flames in fireplace.

Sandy looked at him and sighted.

-Then no… We’ll leave at noon tomorrow and…-

-Tom got a picture… I got a picture… - he interrupted her again, still looking at the fireplace.

She remembered.

She felt a punch in her stomach and sat down.

Mike handed her a cellphone.

-Tommy sent me this about two weeks ago-

Sandy looked at the picture on the screen.

It was the same picture she had, Mike, Tommy and her were on their bikes facing the viewer.

They were all smiling and wearing white t-shirts with numbers on them.

-Did you recognize the date on Tommy’s shirt? –

She put the cellphone aside and covered her mouth with shaky hands.

-It’s the same date on her grave Sandy, his death day-

Mike put his head between his hands.

-I told him someone was playing tricks on him you know? – Mike continued- So he faced- timed me and burnt the picture with his cigarette, we both had a laugh… and the day before the memorial I was looking for a picture of Tommy in my photo album and there it was… that same photograph, next to my 13-year-old birthday party photograph... -

He looked at Sandy, who put her shaky hands on her knees.

-Where was yours? – Mike asked her.

-It… it was on the envelope from that photograph print place. -

Sandy looked at Mike’s teary eyes.

-No Mike, it was an accident, we were kids-

Mike stood up and pour himself a drink.

-Nobody was inside, the firemen told our parents nobody got hurt, and the owners

never showed up- Sandy said in low voice after she checked no one was around.

-Did you remembered how we used to joke that the owners, the whole family,

looked like they came from some folk tale? -

He said and drank the whole content of his glass.

-Yes, they always wore embroidered velvet vests and black boots- Sandy squinted her eyes remembering. - Elke used to say they were built from the wood of the house… - Sandy smiled sadly.

-That night… we had those sparklers and we were calling for Elke, to come play with us-

-Yes, he was my age… 10 years old…-

-We got no answer so we…- Mike continued.

-… one of the sparklers got carried by the wind and landed on a windowsill…- Said Sandy.

Mike clenched his jaw.

-It was an accident Mike- Sandy held on Mike’s arm- No one was hurt-

-Remember how the place was burnt to the ground? For the chemicals or whatever… nothing was saved from there except for the three wooden figurines-

-Yes, they were severely burnt too but they still resembled like…-

Sandy let go Mike’s arm and walked a few steps back.

-Michael come on!! You don’t think they…-

Mike took her by the shoulders.

- WHO TOOK THAT PICTURE SANDY?! Our bikes got burnt too, we ran and left the bikes there, they got burnt!! And now we have that picture!!-

She got free from Mike’s grasp, grabbed her sweater from the couch and went upstairs.

She got in a room and saw Bill sleeping on the floor on top of some bed covers.

Pablo and Millie were on the bed asleep.

She sat on the armchair in the corner until she fell asleep there.

The next day, they said they’re good byes.

Bill and the kids got near the car and Mike’s wife and kids were chatting.

Mike took Sandy by the hand and walked a few steps away from the rest of the family.

-I’m sorry if I scared you Sandy… it wasn’t a good day…- Said Mike in a low voice.

-It’s okay- she hugged Mike and took a deep breath- I have to ask Mike.. did… did you see our dates…? –

Mike nodded.

-Did you? – he asked.

-I looked but didn’t pay attention... I don’t remember-

-Don’t look- he said- when you got home take it and burn it, don’t look- he said.

She looked at him with sad eyes.

-It’s okay, I love you- he said and hugged her.

-Love you too-

Sandy got in the car and they left as Pablo and Millie waved good bye.

They were half way home when Sandy noticed some small packages wrapped in brown craft paper next to Pablo and Millie.

-What is that? - she asked

-Oh, some presents aunt Sarah gave us, she told us to open them when we get to the house-

They finally arrived home and Sandy made up her mind to just live the moment and be happy, photograph or not, she had to die someday, right?

It wasn't like a curse or anything, just dates.

She sighted, heard her kids laughing upstairs and a smile lightened her face.

- Is everyone ready for pizza? – Sandy yelled in a happy tone as she went upstairs.

-Yes!!- they yelled from they rooms, unwrapped the three small black burnt figurines they got as presents and put them on the shelf before going to have dinner.