Wonder Woman

This piece is for the Scribbit July writing contest. Great site, check it out! 

Heaven Must Be Full of Wonder Women

Sunday morning--two different cities--we both woke up and ate breakfast.

Hers was burnt toast, to which she scraped off the black layer into the kitchen sink like she always did. Why waste a piece of edible bread? She also had a small glass of orange juice that was purchased at the commissary.

Mine was a chocolate chip cookie from the night before accompanied by a bowl of Lucky Charms. Typical teenager.

She ate slowly, thinking about her day ahead. A great day it would be. Her daughter was coming to visit, along with her son-in-law and her two granddaughters, as they so often did. There was nothing that could bring her more pleasure. She got dressed, lounged around and waited.

I scarfed down my junk food breakfast and hurried to get dressed for church. Why was it always such a rush? The curling iron was working overtime on all those layers. And then there's all that blue eye shadow to apply. Hurry, it's time to go.

She was feeling a bit tired and told him that she wanted to lie down on her bed until they arrived. So with a peaceful smile on her face, she closed her eyes to rest.

I was left behind and would have to meet up with my family at church. That darn rip in my nylons really slowed me down. I guess I had time for another cookie.

He held her tight in a panic, uselessly shouting her name. What was wrong? How could this be happening? She let out one long last breath and then she was gone.

I answered the phone. He sounded so confused and sad. I couldn't hear him anymore, his words muffled by the sounds of my cries.

I had to go late into church and tell my mom and watch her heart break with unbearable hurt.

My grandma would never smile at me again. I would never get to hold her warm, wrinkled hand again in mine. I would not be able to hear her laugh at my grandpa being silly. She would never hold me close again in a giant marshmallow hug. There would be no more waving good-bye after a visit, looking so forward to the next.

That day my mom lost her mom, I lost my grandma, but Heaven gained another Wonder Woman.