Total pages in book: 143
Estimated words: 130275 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 651(@200wpm)___ 521(@250wpm)___ 434(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 130275 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 651(@200wpm)___ 521(@250wpm)___ 434(@300wpm)
“I love … you too … Ida,” she replied, holding on to our younger sister like she would never let her go. Ida was Poppy’s double in every way—her personality, her looks, her always-positive outlook on life. Poppy’s fingers ran through Ida’s dark hair. “Never change,” she murmured as Ida lifted her head. Poppy placed her weakening hand on Ida’s cheek.
“I won’t,” Ida said, her voice breaking as she stood back, reluctantly letting her hand fall from Poppy’s. I focused on that release. I didn’t know why, but I wanted Ida to hold on to our sister. Maybe if we just held on to her, together, Poppy wouldn’t have to go, maybe we could keep her here where she was safe …
“Sav …” Poppy whispered, her eyes shining as I met her gaze.
I crumbled, my face falling as I began to sob. “Poppy …” I said, taking hold of her hand and holding it to me. I was shaking my head, over and over, silently begging God, the universe, anyone to stop this, to bless us with a miracle and keep her here with us, even if it was for just a bit longer.
“I’m … okay …” Poppy said, cutting through my silent pleas. Her hand was trembling, I brought it to my lips, to press a kiss to her cold skin. But when I did, I saw that Poppy’s hand was steady and the trembling was mine. Tears tumbled down my cheeks. “Savannah,” Poppy said, “I am … ready … to go …”
“No,” I said, shaking my head. I felt a hand land on my back and an arm thread around my waist. I knew it was Mama and Ida keeping me upright. “I’m not ready … I need you … You’re my older sister … I need you, Poppy.” My chest ached to the point of pain, and I knew it was my heart splintering into tiny fragmented pieces.
“I’ll … always be … with … you,” Poppy said, and I noticed a sallowness to her skin, heard the terrifying rattle in her breathing deepen and grow more erratic. No … no, no, no … “We will …” Poppy sucked in a faint breath, a fading gasp of air, “meet again …”
“Poppy …” I managed to say, before racking sobs took hold of me. I lowered my head to Poppy’s chest and felt her weak arms encase me. She may have been losing strength, but that hold felt like a secure blanket around me. I didn’t want to let go.
“I … love you … Savannah. So … much,” Poppy said, fighting her slowing breath to speak. I squeezed my eyes shut, trying in vain to hold on. Poppy pressed a kiss to my hair.
“Savannah.” Mama’s voice sailed into my ears. “Baby …” she murmured. I lifted my head and met Poppy’s weak smile.
“I love you, Pops,” I said. “You’ve been the best big sister I could ever ask for.” Poppy swallowed and her eyes shimmered with tears. I studied her face. She was so close to leaving us. I memorized the green of her eyes, the natural streaks of warmth in her dark hair. She was pale now, but I held on to the memory of the peach tone of her soft skin. I held on to the memory of her sweet scent wrapping around me, to her face full of laughter and life.
I didn’t want to let go of her hand, I didn’t know if I ever would be able to, but as Mama squeezed my shoulders, I did, refusing to disconnect from her gaze until Mama and Daddy moved beside the bed and blocked her from my view.
I stumbled back, shock settling in. Ida gripped my hand and curled into my chest. I watched, almost dissociated, as Mama and Daddy kissed and held Poppy and said their goodbyes. White noise filled my ears as Mama and Daddy moved back and Rune approached the bed. I stayed, transfixed, Ida breaking down against my chest, Aunt DeeDee, Mama, and Daddy falling apart to the side of the room as Rune said something to Poppy, then leaned down and kissed her on her lips …
I held my breath as, seconds later, he slowly reared back. And I watched it. I watched Rune’s face and saw in his shattered expression that she had gone. That Poppy had left us …
Rune’s head was shaking as my heart was impossibly, cracking even more. Then he bolted from the room, and as he did, I slammed back into the here and now with a deafening crash. The sound of agonized crying was the first thing that greeted me, the devastating noises slicing my soul in half. I looked at Mama, then Daddy. Mama had fallen to the floor, Daddy trying to keep her in his arms. Aunt DeeDee was turned against the wall that was propping her up, sobbing uncontrollably.