It was a brisk fall day, leaves still falling

Scarlet, saffron, amber, viridescent 

Laughing with my friend, soon to be stopped

The phone call with my mom was brief but left a sour look on my friend's moms face, my stomach warped

When I’m frightened it seems like the worry never leaves my body

Like gum under your shoe 

The door creaked open

 My heart was a boombox 

Thump, thump, thumping around like it was doing some kind of dance

My mom seized my hand and ushered me outside

We took slow steps down the stairs to get to the ground level of the apartment 

My mom didn’t make a peep until we approached the car

“He’s gone” 

She whispered

“Your uncle is gone”

There were no tears in our eyes

All I had was an aching feeling in my chest

It was pouring 

Rain drops glide down the car window, seeming to distract me

As I got home I trampled everything in my path to get to her, my grandma

As my eyes adjusted to the gloomy room I sat

She pulled up a picture of him

Tears then fell from her eyes

Tears flooded mine as well