The Eighth Stair

  I will never forget those stairs. How steep they were, the fact that there was sixteen of them. I used to sit on step eight. It was hard being away from all my friends. It was so sad in that house.

  When Grandma had called to tell us about Grandpa, I had been the only one home. Everyone else had gone to my sister's choir concert. I sat there wondering what to do. Whom do I call? What do I say when I do call someone? Should I call the school? I was scared and crying when my sister's best friends mom came to the house to sit with me. How was I going to tell my dad?

  I remember when they got home. My parents came in the house and seeing her there Mom wanted to know what was going on. Dad went into the kitchen to smoke a cigarette. I told them they needed to sit down, but you know parents they never listen. I figured the best way to get it out was to just say it. " Mom, Dad, Grandma called while you guys were gone. Grandpa died tonight." I will never forget the look on my parents’ faces. My Mom, who had finally sat down, jumped up and yelled for Dad to call Grandma, "Dad" had just died. My Dads jaw hit the floor and the cigarette just hung there.

  We were set to leave the next day. I had called my friends, and one of them was going to lend me his portable CD player and all his CD's. I walked to school that day, and it was so bright and beautiful. I couldn't imagine that this tragedy had just happened to my family. My friends all met me at my locker and were there for me to cry on their shoulders. When I turned to leave my friend handed me his CD player with a note to listen to this song.

  When we got to Grandmas house, the whole family was there. It was hard to get a moment alone. I needed time to think, to process all that had happened in the last few days. This is a hard thing for a twelve-year-old to go through. The only quiet I could get was on that eighth stair listening to this song.

  That house has since been sold and has gone through several changes. I can still hear the voices ringing through the house. I can still smell the house and see it when I close my eyes. I will always remember that eighth stair and the peace it brought me.