Miss Fire
Introduction
“My brother was the tender age of 18. Mike was the all American boy, he did nothing wrong. He was the star football player on his high school team and was involved in any charity that he could get involved with. He was a big brother to countless little kids and an avid volunteer at the SPCA.
“He was a comic book junkie and was in the process of writing his own. Sadly the world will never know the amazing storyline for Miss Fire. He was taken away from the world too soon and too violently. But now isn’t the time to think about that.” My voice cracks as I continue on with the eulogy that I wasn’t prepared to write or speak for that matter.
“Mike was your everyday superhero. He cared more about other peoples’ lives than his own. He’d risk his neck for anyone, and that’s what he did that night. He saved his girlfriend’s life by letting the mugger take his own. Gretchen, I know you blame yourself but it isn’t your fault. Mike was your very own Iron Man.” A smile appears on my lips as I mention Mike’s favorite superhero -for whatever reason- and a smile appears on the lips of the redhead that was the love of my brother’s life.
I clutch onto the rosary beads in my hand as if they’ll give me the strength to move on, “Mike was a kind soul; he never had any enemies. He loved life and wanted to change the world. Let’s remember him the way he wanted us to; a ball of sunshine. That’s why I believe the sun is out today, he’s with us in spirit. And if I know Mike, he’s probably trying to tell us to get off our asses and start having fun.” Everyone laughs at that while the priest just glares at me for cursing. A weak smile forms on my lips as I step down from the podium, letting Gretchen say a few words about Mike. As she begins to her eulogy, I space out because reality sets it. My baby brother is gone…
**
After I bury my baby brother, we all head back to my spacious ranch. While everyone eats and talks about my brother, I get changed and head out to the horses; I needed to be alone. I need some time with my hair down, make-up off; I need to get down and dirty and escape my thoughts, at least for a few minutes.
After taking one of my horses out for a ride, I come back to the stable around sunset. Escaped my mind for two hours, not bad, I think to myself as I walk the horse into the stable. Just as I’m about to leave, I notice Gretchen standing there; leaning up against the barn door.
“Everyone’s wondering where you go off too.” Gretchen informs me as she walks near the stable, “I figured you’d be up here.”
“Would you rather me down there with all the alcohol and grief?” I unintentionally snap at her.
“I know this isn’t easy for you but---”
“You’re right, this isn’t easy!” I yell, cutting her off, “I just lost the last of my family. I lost the little boy I watched grow up. You guys were only together two years whereas I’ve known him for all 18 of his life. So yea, this isn’t easy.”
“Daisy, I’m here for you,” she assures me, “we’re all here for you. If you need anything, you know you can come to me. I’ll help you with anything.”
“If you really want to help me,” I begin to say, “get everyone out of my fucking house.”
Gretchen looks at me, wanting to say something, but she bites her tongue and walks away; doing as I asked.
By the time I finish up in the stable and ride my four-wheeler back to the house, everyone is gone. A thankful smile tugs at my lips as I walk into my empty house. Bottle and plates scatter the various surfaces in the house but I don’t care, I’m just happy that I was finally alone.
After my shower, I head into my brothers room. It’s hard to believe he’s gone. The room is the same. Clothing thrown onto the floor and dust accumulating on the dressers and shelves. Food lays on the nightstand and a can of Bud Light sits on his computer desk, earning an eye roll from me. His computer is still on with his latest drawings for Miss Fire. A smile creeps onto my lips as I look at the drawn pictures of the blonde haired heroine. Deep down, I always wondered who inspired him; I always thought it was our mother but Mike was young when she passed away. But whoever it is, he thought she deserved to be immortalized in this comic. A sigh escapes my lips as I take one last good look at the room before walking out, closing the door behind me; knowing it’ll be awhile before I walk into that room again.
“He was a comic book junkie and was in the process of writing his own. Sadly the world will never know the amazing storyline for Miss Fire. He was taken away from the world too soon and too violently. But now isn’t the time to think about that.” My voice cracks as I continue on with the eulogy that I wasn’t prepared to write or speak for that matter.
“Mike was your everyday superhero. He cared more about other peoples’ lives than his own. He’d risk his neck for anyone, and that’s what he did that night. He saved his girlfriend’s life by letting the mugger take his own. Gretchen, I know you blame yourself but it isn’t your fault. Mike was your very own Iron Man.” A smile appears on my lips as I mention Mike’s favorite superhero -for whatever reason- and a smile appears on the lips of the redhead that was the love of my brother’s life.
I clutch onto the rosary beads in my hand as if they’ll give me the strength to move on, “Mike was a kind soul; he never had any enemies. He loved life and wanted to change the world. Let’s remember him the way he wanted us to; a ball of sunshine. That’s why I believe the sun is out today, he’s with us in spirit. And if I know Mike, he’s probably trying to tell us to get off our asses and start having fun.” Everyone laughs at that while the priest just glares at me for cursing. A weak smile forms on my lips as I step down from the podium, letting Gretchen say a few words about Mike. As she begins to her eulogy, I space out because reality sets it. My baby brother is gone…
**
After I bury my baby brother, we all head back to my spacious ranch. While everyone eats and talks about my brother, I get changed and head out to the horses; I needed to be alone. I need some time with my hair down, make-up off; I need to get down and dirty and escape my thoughts, at least for a few minutes.
After taking one of my horses out for a ride, I come back to the stable around sunset. Escaped my mind for two hours, not bad, I think to myself as I walk the horse into the stable. Just as I’m about to leave, I notice Gretchen standing there; leaning up against the barn door.
“Everyone’s wondering where you go off too.” Gretchen informs me as she walks near the stable, “I figured you’d be up here.”
“Would you rather me down there with all the alcohol and grief?” I unintentionally snap at her.
“I know this isn’t easy for you but---”
“You’re right, this isn’t easy!” I yell, cutting her off, “I just lost the last of my family. I lost the little boy I watched grow up. You guys were only together two years whereas I’ve known him for all 18 of his life. So yea, this isn’t easy.”
“Daisy, I’m here for you,” she assures me, “we’re all here for you. If you need anything, you know you can come to me. I’ll help you with anything.”
“If you really want to help me,” I begin to say, “get everyone out of my fucking house.”
Gretchen looks at me, wanting to say something, but she bites her tongue and walks away; doing as I asked.
By the time I finish up in the stable and ride my four-wheeler back to the house, everyone is gone. A thankful smile tugs at my lips as I walk into my empty house. Bottle and plates scatter the various surfaces in the house but I don’t care, I’m just happy that I was finally alone.
After my shower, I head into my brothers room. It’s hard to believe he’s gone. The room is the same. Clothing thrown onto the floor and dust accumulating on the dressers and shelves. Food lays on the nightstand and a can of Bud Light sits on his computer desk, earning an eye roll from me. His computer is still on with his latest drawings for Miss Fire. A smile creeps onto my lips as I look at the drawn pictures of the blonde haired heroine. Deep down, I always wondered who inspired him; I always thought it was our mother but Mike was young when she passed away. But whoever it is, he thought she deserved to be immortalized in this comic. A sigh escapes my lips as I take one last good look at the room before walking out, closing the door behind me; knowing it’ll be awhile before I walk into that room again.
Notes
This got a decent feedback on Mibba so I figured I'd post it on here.Daisy; funeral
Daisy; stables
@Golden Works
huh?
5/24/14