Martin's voice scared me and I let go of the noose as I watch him run over to me.
"You can't do this." He cried. "Why are you even doing this in the first place?"
"Think about this." I replied. "If I was gone, my parents would be able to get back on their feet quicker. And plus, I'll be with my brother."
"Okay. We need to have a talk." He wrapped his arm around me.
"Can we have a talk somewhere warm?" I untied the noose from the branch. "Because I feel like my feet are going to break off."
"Of course." He led me back towards the funeral home.

    "Why did you try and kill yourself?" Martin asked me as he wrapped a blanket knitted by my great grandmother for Charlie around me. The blanket was a soft, fluffy gray color and had a baby Charlie knitted onto it.
"I already told you."
"Right." He sighed. "Well, can I tell you something?"
"Sure."
"All of us are going to die one day." He looked me dead in the eyes. "Whether that be tomorrow or fifty years from now. When you're not busy being born, you're dying. I know this sounds terrible, but it's true. You're going to die one day and why end it today when it's obvious that today is not your day? And what would Charlie think if you killed yourself because of him."
"He'd be so mad." I began to cry again. "He'd actually be ashamed."
"Right." Martin nodded. "So, what do you think you should do?"
"I think I should accept the fact that death is just a part of the lift cycle." I sniffled. "And most of all, accept that Charlie is dead."
"That's a step in the right direction." Martin nodded again. "And acceptance is always the hardest part. But I'm very proud of you."
"Thanks." I smiled a bit. "And I'll get through it, as long as I have the support I need."