"My name Atarah meaning crown in Hebrew, was given to me by my grandpapi. Mummy never made it. So it was just me and him. I never knew my father or had the desire to as a child. But growing up it was hard for me, having friends over, "Where are your parents?" They ask over and over again and the same answer "They aren't here." Eventually, I stopped having them over and just went to their houses.

Nowadays I don't have many friends. The ones I do have now are my loyals. But my friend Brianna was the best. We're all in our twenties now. I'm 23 now the youngest in the group, everyone else is either 24-26. When I was younger I was skipped a few grades being home-schooled and learning more than I need for a child my age. I started school in the fourth grade when I was supposed to be in the third. And here I am graduated with a degree in physics.

All grown up. And now? Now I'm in my Grandpapi's hospital room crying over his bed in his final moments as he sleeps quietly listening to the beeps from the monitor.

It's getting late and I'm about to leave to go I feel frail hand reach and grab mine I look
back to see Grandpapi looking back at me with a sad smile playing on his face.

"Goodbye, sweet-pea I love you." Grandpapi said weakly.

"I love you too. And it's not goodbye grandpapi. It's see you later." I replied with the saddest of smiles.

"Yes it is." He quietly said to me.

I tried to keep my tears back so that the last time he sees me I didn't look so sad. I wanted to send him off with a smile but I couldn't.

"I know it is but I love you so, so much and you're my best friend." I said as a single rebellious tear fell down my cheek.

"As were you. I love you too sweet-pea. Goodbye." Grandpapi said as he lay back down and close his eyes.

"Sleep well Papi." I said as I left.

Those were the last words my Grandpapi said to me.

The next day Grandpapi died while I was in the lab at work. I told my boss and she let me leave early.

I went back home to me and Papi's house I never left so I could take care of him because he was all I had and I was all he had too.

When I got home I cried and cried till I couldn't cry anymore. I was so sad. I didn't go to work the next few days. I couldn't let my coworkers see me like that. No. I wouldn't let them.

Over the weekend I had the funeral for Grandpapi as I thought there was nobody was there to attend besides me and Brianna. It was a closed casket funeral to say the least. I couldn't bare to see him like that. He left me the house and everything else in his name; his money, car all of it was mine now and I had nothing to do with it. I work a nice stable job and am perfectly fine financially.

I gave some of the money to charities around town.

On Monday I attended work like nothing happened at all. And at the end of the day I would go home to my now empty home and almost call out for Grandpapi but then remember all of recent events in my life and shut the door and my mouth." I told my therapist Dr. Plisetsky.

"I see. And how are you feeling now?" Calm, quiet and collected. He always seems to be.

"I'm feeling plenty of things. Empty, melancholy, content, and much more I can't describe." I said with a look indescribable on my face.

"I see now that you are a woman of words Ms. Kenna." He says. "And what might be your favourite quote?" He asks.

"A penny for your thoughts; A dollar for your sadness." I say in a soft tone. "Now if you don't mind love, I'll be taking my leave. Oh and tell Brianna I say hello." I say grabbing my cover up and leaving.

3rd person view

As Atarah left the facility Dr. Plisetsky picked up his personal phone and called his daughter.

"I'm sorry but there's nothing I can do. It seems your friend is already gone." He said sadly.

"I know but thank you for trying dad." Brianna said back before hanging up the phone.

767 words. Finished May 10/2019
by Benni-Karma Cruise.