(Narrator note: This story line will follow a nonlinear sequence, bouncing from the past to present.)
December 20th 2012
With her eyes closed, she leaned her head back against the headboard. What was she supposed to do next? It hadn’t been a week since the funeral and already the bills were piling up, one right after the other. What was she going to do? Her sister was the one that always had the answers and now she was gone. A tear escaped from her closed eyes, only to be accompanied by more. Her shoulders dropped and the emotions from the past two months that had accumulated stormed through her. She was sad, angry, and confused. Screaming at the top of her lungs, Charlie stood and threw the remote control that was nearby at the wall as hard as she could. A rage surged through her and her hands continued to find objects to throw.
“Why! Why God? Why her? Why her?” Dropping to her knees and cradling both sides of her head in her hands, she rocked back and forth crying as all the pain filtered through her. She could taste her tears and snot on her lips. Wiping at them both with the back of her hand, she looked up at the picture of her sister that was sitting on top of the T.V. cabinet.
Her body jerked with each breath that she took in as she walked toward the picture. Curling her shaking fingers around the wooden frame; she stared, remembering back to the time that it was taken. That day was only about a year past and it was Charlie’s twenty first birthday party. Cyntha had come home to celebrate her younger sister’s milestone. They club hopped that night in Manhattan. “We will paint this city Red and then highlight it in gold!” Cyntha had said all that night. Charlie laughed a little at the memory and carried the picture back with her to the bed.
Pulling the covers up over her shoulder, she settled down into the soft mattress looking at her sister’s face. Her eyelids fluttered and soon she was asleep.
Putting together the pieces...
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Charlie Mintz (DELETED 3680)
Putting together the pieces...
Last edited by Charlie Mintz (DELETED 3680) on 21 Dec 2012, 17:39, edited 1 time in total.
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Charlie Mintz (DELETED 3680)
Re: Putting together the pieces...
Last day of Hanukkah 2007
Her nose pressed against the cold glass; from the outside it would have given her a piggy appearance. Squinting into darkness and snowfall, her hazel eyes searched for the figure of her sister. Behind her the sounds of the last night of Hanukkah could be heard. The final candle on the Menorah had been lit and all of the presents had been passed out, save one.
Charlie grasped at the poorly wrapped present as she waited for Cyntha. Her mother’s boyfriend laughed at her wrapping job but she really didn't care. It wasn't the wrapping that counted but the present that was inside. Charlie had saved up all of her allowance and the money she received from babysitting, to afford the present. It was a necklace that she had seen Cyntha eyeing at the mall the last time she had gone there with her. One hundred and fifty three dollars and seventy two cents was the exact cost of it. It really was lovely, a snowflake made of white gold with a diamond in the center of it. Her sister had the best taste; this is why Charlie never minded hand-me-downs from her big sister. In truth, it made her feel proud and grown being able to fit into something that belonged to her.
“Charlie get over here, your sister will be here soon enough. Come and eat some donuts with us.” Her mother called to her from the table. She was playing with the dreidal and her boyfriend’s kids. Reluctantly she got up and started to walk toward the others, then she heard the knock on the door.
“Cyntha!” Charlie darted toward the door and opened it with wide expecting eyes. Her sister stood there with an arm full of presents and a man that Charlie had never met, standing next to her with his arm wrapped around her waist.
Once inside and their coats hung to dry, they were passing out their presents and explaining to everyone that the man’s name was Jonathon and how they had met. They were both hailing a cab in SoHo for over thirty minutes in the pouring rain, when one finally stopped they fought over whose it was. It was a typical New York meeting that ended with a cup of coffee at a nearby café. This was a few months past. From the way Cyntha smiled at him and her eyes lit up; the way they danced around each other and always made sure that some part of their body was touching, sealed the idea of a love match. Charlie knew that she was in love. Charlie’s own smile couldn't be hidden at this thought.
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“Charlie how did you know I wanted this?” Cyntha exclaimed as she lifted the necklace from its box. As she held it up, the snowflake danced on the end of the chain and the light caught the diamond, causing it to sparkle.
“I saw you looking at it in the Mall when you took me to get my shoes.” Charlie was proud as she watched the delight on her sister’s face.
“It was so expensive. You shouldn't have, but I am glad you did.” She leaned over and kissed her little sisters cheek. “Now open your present.” She gave her a knowing smile.
Charlie’s fingers tore at the red paper and then lifted the lid off her present. Charlie let out a delighted laugh as she held up the snowflake necklace.
edited because I am nitpicky
Her nose pressed against the cold glass; from the outside it would have given her a piggy appearance. Squinting into darkness and snowfall, her hazel eyes searched for the figure of her sister. Behind her the sounds of the last night of Hanukkah could be heard. The final candle on the Menorah had been lit and all of the presents had been passed out, save one.
Charlie grasped at the poorly wrapped present as she waited for Cyntha. Her mother’s boyfriend laughed at her wrapping job but she really didn't care. It wasn't the wrapping that counted but the present that was inside. Charlie had saved up all of her allowance and the money she received from babysitting, to afford the present. It was a necklace that she had seen Cyntha eyeing at the mall the last time she had gone there with her. One hundred and fifty three dollars and seventy two cents was the exact cost of it. It really was lovely, a snowflake made of white gold with a diamond in the center of it. Her sister had the best taste; this is why Charlie never minded hand-me-downs from her big sister. In truth, it made her feel proud and grown being able to fit into something that belonged to her.
“Charlie get over here, your sister will be here soon enough. Come and eat some donuts with us.” Her mother called to her from the table. She was playing with the dreidal and her boyfriend’s kids. Reluctantly she got up and started to walk toward the others, then she heard the knock on the door.
“Cyntha!” Charlie darted toward the door and opened it with wide expecting eyes. Her sister stood there with an arm full of presents and a man that Charlie had never met, standing next to her with his arm wrapped around her waist.
Once inside and their coats hung to dry, they were passing out their presents and explaining to everyone that the man’s name was Jonathon and how they had met. They were both hailing a cab in SoHo for over thirty minutes in the pouring rain, when one finally stopped they fought over whose it was. It was a typical New York meeting that ended with a cup of coffee at a nearby café. This was a few months past. From the way Cyntha smiled at him and her eyes lit up; the way they danced around each other and always made sure that some part of their body was touching, sealed the idea of a love match. Charlie knew that she was in love. Charlie’s own smile couldn't be hidden at this thought.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Charlie how did you know I wanted this?” Cyntha exclaimed as she lifted the necklace from its box. As she held it up, the snowflake danced on the end of the chain and the light caught the diamond, causing it to sparkle.
“I saw you looking at it in the Mall when you took me to get my shoes.” Charlie was proud as she watched the delight on her sister’s face.
“It was so expensive. You shouldn't have, but I am glad you did.” She leaned over and kissed her little sisters cheek. “Now open your present.” She gave her a knowing smile.
Charlie’s fingers tore at the red paper and then lifted the lid off her present. Charlie let out a delighted laugh as she held up the snowflake necklace.
edited because I am nitpicky
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Charlie Mintz (DELETED 3680)
Re: Putting together the pieces...
February 2009
“We’re getting married!” Her voice was audibly shrill from her excitement. Beaming, Cyntha all but bounced as she tucked her arm through her little sister’s. “Can you believe it? He asked me last night!” Stretching out her fingers, she showed off the diamond engagement ring. It shimmered in the light of the room, as her digits moved through the air as if she were playing keys on a piano. It wasn't a large diamond, but by looking at Cyntha’s face one would think it was over a Karat. “We are going to set the date for March of next year, after he gets back from his tour in Afghanistan. “
Charlie was still stuck on the first part of her sister’s announcement. The part where she said she was getting married. She wanted to be happy for her, knowing how Cyntha loved Jonathon, but she knew this meant that their lives would be further separated. Becoming an army wife, meant that eventually her soon to be husband could be stationed in another state, or worse another country.
“Charlie, Charlie are you listening?” Her sister’s furrowed brow caused a small wrinkle to form between her drilling green eyes.
“Yes of course I am. So you are getting married in thirteen months? Have you told mom?” Charlie’s eyes avoided her sister’s, looking toward the hall where her mother’s room was located.
“You are the first person I have told. “ She leaned her head in closer to her little sister. “I want you to be my maid of honor. This isn't going to change anything Charlie. You are more than my sister, you are my best friend.”
It was uncanny how Cyntha seemed to know exactly what it was that Charlie needed to hear. Almost as if she was able to look inside of her and see the things that were bothering her. No one else in the world was able to do that. Even when Charlie was smaller, her sister would be there with the right words, or a hug given at just the right time.
“I would love to Cyntha and congratulations. I am happy for you.” Her smile was genuine, even if just a little bit sad. “I get to pick out my dress right?” She shifted into a laugh and then gave her sister a hug, tucking away her self pity.
“I might ask dad to give me away.” She kept her words soft as she gave Charlie a sideways glance, knowing this wasn't the best subject with her. Charlie hadn't seen her father but maybe a handful of times since he left their mother when she was a little over a year old. Having been raised by only her mother and Cyntha, Charlie had her last name changed to her mother’s maiden name on her sixteenth birthday. She went from Jones to Mintz that day.
“Why would you do that Cyntha? He doesn't give a ****. You are only setting yourself up to get hurt. Just like when you invited him to your graduation.” Dropping down onto the couch, she pulled her feet up under her and turned on the television, subconsciously dismissing the subject of her father. “Mom’s in her room sleeping. She hasn't been feeling well lately. I think she has the flu or something.”
Cyntha nodded and headed down the hall to share the news about her engagement with their mother.
“We’re getting married!” Her voice was audibly shrill from her excitement. Beaming, Cyntha all but bounced as she tucked her arm through her little sister’s. “Can you believe it? He asked me last night!” Stretching out her fingers, she showed off the diamond engagement ring. It shimmered in the light of the room, as her digits moved through the air as if she were playing keys on a piano. It wasn't a large diamond, but by looking at Cyntha’s face one would think it was over a Karat. “We are going to set the date for March of next year, after he gets back from his tour in Afghanistan. “
Charlie was still stuck on the first part of her sister’s announcement. The part where she said she was getting married. She wanted to be happy for her, knowing how Cyntha loved Jonathon, but she knew this meant that their lives would be further separated. Becoming an army wife, meant that eventually her soon to be husband could be stationed in another state, or worse another country.
“Charlie, Charlie are you listening?” Her sister’s furrowed brow caused a small wrinkle to form between her drilling green eyes.
“Yes of course I am. So you are getting married in thirteen months? Have you told mom?” Charlie’s eyes avoided her sister’s, looking toward the hall where her mother’s room was located.
“You are the first person I have told. “ She leaned her head in closer to her little sister. “I want you to be my maid of honor. This isn't going to change anything Charlie. You are more than my sister, you are my best friend.”
It was uncanny how Cyntha seemed to know exactly what it was that Charlie needed to hear. Almost as if she was able to look inside of her and see the things that were bothering her. No one else in the world was able to do that. Even when Charlie was smaller, her sister would be there with the right words, or a hug given at just the right time.
“I would love to Cyntha and congratulations. I am happy for you.” Her smile was genuine, even if just a little bit sad. “I get to pick out my dress right?” She shifted into a laugh and then gave her sister a hug, tucking away her self pity.
“I might ask dad to give me away.” She kept her words soft as she gave Charlie a sideways glance, knowing this wasn't the best subject with her. Charlie hadn't seen her father but maybe a handful of times since he left their mother when she was a little over a year old. Having been raised by only her mother and Cyntha, Charlie had her last name changed to her mother’s maiden name on her sixteenth birthday. She went from Jones to Mintz that day.
“Why would you do that Cyntha? He doesn't give a ****. You are only setting yourself up to get hurt. Just like when you invited him to your graduation.” Dropping down onto the couch, she pulled her feet up under her and turned on the television, subconsciously dismissing the subject of her father. “Mom’s in her room sleeping. She hasn't been feeling well lately. I think she has the flu or something.”
Cyntha nodded and headed down the hall to share the news about her engagement with their mother.
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Charlie Mintz (DELETED 3680)
Re: Putting together the pieces...
July 2009
Beep… Beep… Beep. Funny how something as simple as a beep repeated can become the representation of someone’s life. Beep…Beep…Beep. Sitting next to the bed of a loved one, staring at a dot and looking at a bunch of numbers trying to interpret what they mean. Is that number too high? Or is it too low? Beep…Beep…Beep. All of the wires going in and out of their body like some horrible science fiction scene. Their chest is lowering and rising to the cadence of a machine. Beep…Beep…Beep. Do you yell to them to keep fighting? Stay one more day for me? Or do you let them go, let them have peace?
It had been 3 months since their mother confessed over a pot of coffee in their kitchen that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. Charlie and Cyntha sat there staring at their mother, waiting for some kind of punch line. That didn’t come until a month later, after her Dr. informed her that it was stage 4 and had spread through her body and had moved in to her kidneys and lungs.
Their home slowly became filled with medication bottles and homeopathic remedies. Vain attempts to fight the evil Cancer was what busied the mind against the truth of what was really happening: Raw food diets, acupuncture, and hands on healing.
Even as they sat there, next to their mother’s frail body staring at the machine. Beep…Beep…Beep. They both prayed for their mother to be okay. Cyntha would tell her about the progress of the wedding and how she finally picked the right dress, positive at the choice this time.
“Mom it is so beautiful, it has a long full train just like you suggested. It is a little more expensive than the other one I told you about.” Cyntha combed her fingers through her mother’s hair as she told her this. "I talked to dad. He said he would give me away."
Charlie continued to just quietly stare at the machines and numbers. As long as they remained in the range that the nurse had mentioned, everything was okay…right? She would Stand up when the numbers were too high or too low. Feeling completely helpless, she would stand there and try to will the numbers to go back to where they were suppose to be. Every now and then, she would move to the foot of the bed and rub on her mother's feet. Something that she never did before, not until her mother was sick and dying. She should have done it. She should have spent more time being more helpful to her mother.
Night time was the hardest, doing your best to sleep in the corner of the waiting room, with chairs pushed together as a makeshift bed. Charlie and Cyntha had turned their corner into a sort of oasis, having brought pillows and blankets from home, along with a bag full of snacks and reading material. They would look around them at the other families, giving each other reassuring nods. Wondering who was going to get good news or bad, often times becoming cheerleaders for strangers.
“I am sure everything will be okay.” Said with a pat on the shoulder to the lady whose husband had been in a car wreck and left in a coma. Sometimes it came true, and they would be okay and moved to a private room, others left with a bag of their loved one’s belongings.
For five days they lived this way in the tiny room in CCU. Then on that fifth night, the beeping stopped and their mother left the world. Cyntha and Charlie clung to one another and cried. It was that fast. Even with warnings, no one could ever be truly ready to say goodbye.
Beep… Beep… Beep. Funny how something as simple as a beep repeated can become the representation of someone’s life. Beep…Beep…Beep. Sitting next to the bed of a loved one, staring at a dot and looking at a bunch of numbers trying to interpret what they mean. Is that number too high? Or is it too low? Beep…Beep…Beep. All of the wires going in and out of their body like some horrible science fiction scene. Their chest is lowering and rising to the cadence of a machine. Beep…Beep…Beep. Do you yell to them to keep fighting? Stay one more day for me? Or do you let them go, let them have peace?
It had been 3 months since their mother confessed over a pot of coffee in their kitchen that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. Charlie and Cyntha sat there staring at their mother, waiting for some kind of punch line. That didn’t come until a month later, after her Dr. informed her that it was stage 4 and had spread through her body and had moved in to her kidneys and lungs.
Their home slowly became filled with medication bottles and homeopathic remedies. Vain attempts to fight the evil Cancer was what busied the mind against the truth of what was really happening: Raw food diets, acupuncture, and hands on healing.
Even as they sat there, next to their mother’s frail body staring at the machine. Beep…Beep…Beep. They both prayed for their mother to be okay. Cyntha would tell her about the progress of the wedding and how she finally picked the right dress, positive at the choice this time.
“Mom it is so beautiful, it has a long full train just like you suggested. It is a little more expensive than the other one I told you about.” Cyntha combed her fingers through her mother’s hair as she told her this. "I talked to dad. He said he would give me away."
Charlie continued to just quietly stare at the machines and numbers. As long as they remained in the range that the nurse had mentioned, everything was okay…right? She would Stand up when the numbers were too high or too low. Feeling completely helpless, she would stand there and try to will the numbers to go back to where they were suppose to be. Every now and then, she would move to the foot of the bed and rub on her mother's feet. Something that she never did before, not until her mother was sick and dying. She should have done it. She should have spent more time being more helpful to her mother.
Night time was the hardest, doing your best to sleep in the corner of the waiting room, with chairs pushed together as a makeshift bed. Charlie and Cyntha had turned their corner into a sort of oasis, having brought pillows and blankets from home, along with a bag full of snacks and reading material. They would look around them at the other families, giving each other reassuring nods. Wondering who was going to get good news or bad, often times becoming cheerleaders for strangers.
“I am sure everything will be okay.” Said with a pat on the shoulder to the lady whose husband had been in a car wreck and left in a coma. Sometimes it came true, and they would be okay and moved to a private room, others left with a bag of their loved one’s belongings.
For five days they lived this way in the tiny room in CCU. Then on that fifth night, the beeping stopped and their mother left the world. Cyntha and Charlie clung to one another and cried. It was that fast. Even with warnings, no one could ever be truly ready to say goodbye.
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Charlie Mintz (DELETED 3680)
Re: Putting together the pieces...
February 6, 2012
“How are the trials going?” Charlie leaned against the back of her couch as she kicked her feet up onto the coffee table. It had been about a week since she had last spoken to her sister and she was anxious to find out how Jonathon was doing.
“I don’t know Charlie. He doesn't seem to be doing so well. The scarring and all that, it seems to be…” Cyntha lowered her voice when she saw Jonathon walk from their bedroom and across the hall to the bathroom. “The scarring is better but he is in constant pain. It seems like it is getting worse.”
Charlie’s hazel eyes lowered for a moment. She really wasn't sure of what to say to her sister. “Is there anything they can do for that?” She asked as she adjusted the phone to her ear.
“They have prescribed him morphine, but it makes him throw up.” Her voice quivered with worry.
Knitting her eyebrows together, Charlie moved her feet to the floor and scooted to the edge of the couch. “Do you need me to come there? Maybe I can help you some. Now that mom is dead, I really have no reason to stay.”
Cyntha shook her head as she listened to her sister. Even though she wanted to say yes and have her sister there with her, she knew that Charlie needed to enroll in classes at the local community college. “No. Did you apply for financial aid yet?” Immediately Cyntha moved into big sister mode.
“Yes. I did that last week. It takes a while to get this stuff done. They said that I should be able to start next month with the new quarter but…” She shrugged her shoulders. “We will see.” Relaxing once again she leaned back into the couch. Charlie talked to her sister for a few more hours before finally checking the clock and realizing that she needed to get off before she used up all of her rent money for the phone call.
“I love you Charlie.” Cyntha spoke into her phone.
“I love you too. Good night.”
“How are the trials going?” Charlie leaned against the back of her couch as she kicked her feet up onto the coffee table. It had been about a week since she had last spoken to her sister and she was anxious to find out how Jonathon was doing.
“I don’t know Charlie. He doesn't seem to be doing so well. The scarring and all that, it seems to be…” Cyntha lowered her voice when she saw Jonathon walk from their bedroom and across the hall to the bathroom. “The scarring is better but he is in constant pain. It seems like it is getting worse.”
Charlie’s hazel eyes lowered for a moment. She really wasn't sure of what to say to her sister. “Is there anything they can do for that?” She asked as she adjusted the phone to her ear.
“They have prescribed him morphine, but it makes him throw up.” Her voice quivered with worry.
Knitting her eyebrows together, Charlie moved her feet to the floor and scooted to the edge of the couch. “Do you need me to come there? Maybe I can help you some. Now that mom is dead, I really have no reason to stay.”
Cyntha shook her head as she listened to her sister. Even though she wanted to say yes and have her sister there with her, she knew that Charlie needed to enroll in classes at the local community college. “No. Did you apply for financial aid yet?” Immediately Cyntha moved into big sister mode.
“Yes. I did that last week. It takes a while to get this stuff done. They said that I should be able to start next month with the new quarter but…” She shrugged her shoulders. “We will see.” Relaxing once again she leaned back into the couch. Charlie talked to her sister for a few more hours before finally checking the clock and realizing that she needed to get off before she used up all of her rent money for the phone call.
“I love you Charlie.” Cyntha spoke into her phone.
“I love you too. Good night.”