Part 1: In this part, Katie and Jeff pay tribute to someone very important.
Friday, Nov. 27th , 7:00am...
“Katie, it's time to wake up,” Dad told me. I turned over to see him standing over me. I then gave him a nod. It was about seven in the morning, and while I hate waking up early, today was a major exception. Tomorrow was my birthday, but on the day before, Day and I always give special treatment to one particular person.
I got up, and went to my bathroom to have a shower. Once I was done, I took the time to look myself over in the mirror. I smiled warmly at my reflection. I was about as developed as I was going to get. Everything looked as it should, and that was okay by me.
I dried, and combed my hair out, before I wrapped myself in my towel, and headed back to my room. Even though it was a free dress day at school today, I dressed up in a black polo shirt with long sleeves, and a pair of matching pants. I put my hair into a ponytail, and headed downstairs to get a quick breakfast.
Dad was in the kitchen finishing up his coffee. He was also dressed in all black attire as well. I poured myself some instant oatmeal, and ate it quickly. I cast a brief look over at Dad, but we didn't have anything to say to each other at this time.
Once my breakfast was done, I rinsed out my bowl, and headed back upstairs to get my school supplies, as well as my winter coat. With my backpack slung over my shoulder, I went back down stairs again.
“You ready?” Dad asked me.
“Yeah,” I said softly.
“Alright then, let's go,” He sighed. Very rarely do I see him with such a look of sadness in his eyes. I couldn't blame him after all. My birthday always comes with a painful reminder for him.
* * * *
The purpose for us waking up so early today was so that we could take a little detour on the way to school. We made a few turns here and there, and finally pulled into the local cemetery. Dad and I both had bouquets of roses in hand, as we exited the truck. We both then walked down the pathway.
It was close to eight O'clock now, and the sun was beginning to rise. We continued to walk a little ways past various stones and monuments dedicated to those who have passed on. That was until we reached the one we were looking for.
Here lies Melissa Narrows.
Feb 6th 1972-Nov 28th 1999
In her passing, new life was given.
Dad just sighed, and looked at the stone dedicated to the Mother I never had the chance to get to know. I took a knee, and placed my bouquet of roses at the base of the stone. I could see one tear forming in Dad's eye as he then followed suit.
“You're daughter has turned sixteen today Sweetheart,” He then said to the stone. I really had nothing to say, so I just remained quiet. “Anyways, rest well, and know that we're always thinking of you,” He stated, although I could tell he was choking back tears. We both then gave the monument a full military salute, and then left.
“Even after sixteen years, that just doesn't stop being painful,” Dad told me, once we were back on the road again headed for school. I just sighed, and looked at him.
“At least you knew her,” I said back.
“And that's always been the most painful part of this,” Dad said, with a loud sigh of his own. “Anyways, we've looked back at the past. Now it's time to look ahead,” He stated. “Where are you and your friends doing homework today?”
“We were leaning towards Linda's house today,” I answered, and Dad nodded.
“By the way Katie, there are two people who will be visiting tomorrow that I really want you to meet,” Dad said, now smiling again. I perked up a bit.
“Really? Who?” I asked him. Dad gave me a sneer.
“You'll find out,” He said. I just rolled my eyes. So we'd be having Mystery Guests over tomorrow it seemed.
At School.
I walked through the school building, and put my backpack into my locker. Sam and Lucy soon joined me. They were both dressed in khaki colored pants. Lucy had on a Legend of Zelda T-shirt while Sam had on her Final Fantasy T-shirt.
“Did it go well?” Lucy asked me. Both of them had looks of sorrow on their faces. My friends knew what always happens on this day. They knew where I had just been. They knew what the all black attire on this day meant.
“Yes, it went well,” I said, with a smile.
“Hey, cheer up. It's your birthday tomorrow,” Sam said, to which I nodded.
“Is it really your birthday tomorrow?” Kelsey then asked, as she walked over to us.
“Yep,” I sighed. Kelsey frowned a bit.
“You don't sound very happy about it,” She said, with a look of concern on her face. Sam then explained why, as I took my jacket off.
“Katie's Mother died giving birth to her,” She whispered.
“Oh my,” Kelsey said, now with wide eyes. “Katie, I'm so sorry.”
“It's alright,” I said. “I never really had the chance to know her, and that's what upset my Dad the most.”
“I can well imagine,” Kelsey stated. I sighed again.
“Well, I've paid my respects to her today, and now it's time for me to celebrate the life I've had so far,” I said. It was at that time that Linda came up to us. She was dressed in maroon polo shirt with white tipping on the collar, and a set of gray skirted leggings.
“Everything go alright?” She asked me. I nodded yes. “That's good,” She said.
“Hey Linda,” Kelsey then greeted.
“Hello Kelsey,” Linda greeted back. “Oh by the way Kelsey, would you like to join us at our group homework session at my house today?” She then asked.
“I'd love to, but I have a doctor's appointment after school,” She answered, while pointing at her prosthesis.
“Ah, gotcha,” Linda said. With that, we were off to our classes.
* * * *
So yeah, homework was pretty much the same old routine. Each one of us helping each other out until everything was done. Linda's Mother was nice enough to invite us all for dinner as well, but we still had some free time before that. We decided to hold a different type of gaming session.
“I was going to load up Roller Coaster Tycoon 3, and you three will advise me on what to build,” Linda suggested. At which point, she started snickering.
“Why do I get the feeling there’s a catch to this?” I asked her. Linda then gave us the answer.
“You three will be bound and gagged as well,” Linda told us. All three of us burst out laughing.
“Oh, this aut to be good,” Lucy said.
“You all up for it?” Linda asked.
“Heck yeah, I'm up for it,” I stated.
“Alright then,” Linda said, and we all headed up to her room.
Linda loaded up the game, and then went to her closet. She pulled out a few slip-on gags, and tossed one to each of us. I got a white one while Sam and Lucy each received blue ones. Linda then pulled out a few lengths of rope. I wadded up the sock, and put it into my mouth. I then pulled the band behind my head, and shifted my hair out from under it.
Linda tied Sam's hands behind her back in her usual manner. She then moved on to Lucy who decided to wear her gag in a cleave fashion. I just stood patiently with my hands behind me, as I waited for my turn. Once Linda had tied Lucy's hands, she then did the same with me.
“Now then,” She said, as she set a timer on her phone. “Once twenty minutes is up, we'll rotate who plays, and who's tied up,” She explained, and we all nodded. With that, she started up a park. I turned to my friends.
“Shw whhsh frsht?” I asked them, and we started giggling.
“Alright, what's first?” Linda then asked.
“I jjph hsskkd thht,” I then told her, and she laughed.
“Mrryy-gh-rrnnd bh thh nntrnncc,” Lucy then suggested.
“Merry-go-round by the entrance?” Linda asked, and Lucy nodded yes. Linda nodded back, and placed the ride accordingly. She then opened it to the guests. “Now we need a roller coaster. Which one do we want?” She then asked us. We all gave muffled responses through our gags at the same time which made us all laugh again.
“Wwddnn iph h cllsscc,” I stated.
“A Wooden Roller Coaster?” Linda asked. I looked over at Sam and Lucy to see how they reacted. They just shrugged, and nodded. It seemed they didn't want to try to argue too much through their gags. Linda then placed a wooden roller coaster in the park.
Once the twenty minutes was up, it was Sam's turn to build stuff, and Linda was then bound, gagged, and providing counsel. We went through two full rotations before it was dinner time, and we had to stop. Although...
“I should have expected to see something like this,” Mrs. Trotter said, as she entered the room, and we all laughed. “What are you all doing?”
“It's quite simple Mum: I'm building a theme park based on their advice,” Linda explained to her. Mrs. Trotter looked at the three of us bound and gagged.
“I think I should just stop questioning this from now on,” She said, and we all laughed again. “I'm just letting you lot know that dinner's ready,” She then told us.
“Okay Mum,” Linda responded, and Mrs. Trotter then left. With that, Linda untied me, and I then helped untie Lucy while Linda untied Sam. We all then headed downstairs for dinner as well.
* * * *
So yeah, we had a good dinner there, and soon enough it was time for Sam, Lucy, and me to head home. Once I got home I changed into a pair of my winter PJs, and watched TV with Dad for a while before bedtime.
“Good night Princess,” Dad told me, as I got up off the couch.
"Good night Dad," I said back, and then headed to my room for bed.