Just Another Day

Darkness filled the early, crisp January morning. Arriving early to work, she clocked in and took her seat in preparation for the long day ahead. It was just another day.

She had gotten an email from her brother over the New Year's holiday. She hadn't heard from him in quite a while. But that was normal for him. His correspondence with family was few and far between. Various job locations, military service and just plain choice were to blame. It was his nature to just show up unannounced. His visits were short, but always welcomed.

Plans were made to get reacquainted as adults. They were very close as children. Life choices took us on different paths. Summer barbeques, back yard activities including admiration of their German made vehicles. His, a BMW 540i and hers, an Audi A6.

Pictures of 5 gallon jugs filled with beer at various stages of brewing, lined his kitchen walls. He loved beer. Also there was a picture of himself. Dressed in a full military uniform, with an authentic German beer stein in hand. He looked happy, but there was an air of sadness in his eyes she thought. Or maybe something she felt.

You see, he had just purchased a house 5 months ago located in their home state. It was only a 5 hour drive from where she lived. How wonderful she thought. The puzzle of life is finally coming together. The missing pieces are back and fitting right into place. Little did she know what the future held for her.

That cold, dark morning at work was no different than any other day. the same faces, same monotonous work but with generous pay. The phone rang. No one skipped a beat. Then the supervisor appeared at her table to let her know the call was for her. She got up and walked across the long room to the phone. She placed it to her ear and heard audible sniffles as though someone were crying. "Hello?" she said. A long pause and then a voice barely recognizable as her father. The words that eventually came out were not what anyone would want to hear. "Your brother has died." Silence. A numbness came over her like a tidal wave. Her knees grew weak, but the desk nearby saved her from crashing to the floor. She could not speak. After a long silence, her father said he'd call her back later. She replaced the phone to its cradle and started the long journey back to her seat. All eyes were upon her. Everyone wanted to know what happened. She walked zombie-like back to her seat. Steady streams of hot, salty tears ran down her cheeks, collecting on the front of her shirt. She continued through the work day, experiencing moments of utter despair. But she finished the day even though the supervisor said she could leave.

A week had passed and there were no services held. His ashes were taken back to Florida where their father lived. In time, his ashes joined those of their grandparents who have passed on.

For many years after, she had these recurring dreams of her brother. Some so real, as though there was a theater in her mind. She began to write them down before getting out of bed in the morning. That was when details were clearest. Dressed in army fatigues, combat boots and a very heavy backpack, they walked through waist high waters, crawled through thick under brush and climbed over rope fencing. She was always reassured with "You can do it Sister!" Then suddenly she found herself in this light blue room with white curtains blowing in the ocean breeze. Confused as she was back in her own clothing. She walked over to the window to look out. There along the shoreline was her brother waving to her. Then she woke up.

She had many interactive dreams with her brother and she always found herself back in that light blue room with white curtains. Her level of comfort and peace grew with each dream.

Years passed. While searching on the internet, she came across a website for unclaimed funds. Naturally, she typed her own name. Nothing. After typing her brothers name, something came up. Not surprising considering he had passed without a will. No one ever plans to die so young. She then hired a lawyer to help with the process. Time passed and nothing was done. She then took it upon herself to become executor of his estate. Eventually, she was granted as such. Her quest uncovered a number of bank accounts, many CD's and a few stocks. There was a safety deposit box at one of those banks. In that box she found the usual items, insurance policies, a social security card and some honorary military medals. But beneath those items, she found a small, black book. Thinking to herself, what ever could be in this book. Placing it on the table in front of her, she began to feel weak. She sat down on the floor, back against the wall and book in her lap. After taking a deep breath, she opened the cover . Her hands trembled as she recognized what was nestled between the pages. It was all of the cards and letters that she had written to him over the years. Tears ran down her cheeks as she read each one. Tipping her head back, she closed her eyes and found herself in that light blue room with white curtains. She could taste the ocean air. Again, she walked over to the window, looked out to find her brother waving to her. This time she waved back and he blew a kiss to her. She experienced a profound sense of peace as she opened her eyes.

The $20,000.00 that was eventually awarded to her paled in comparison to what she had found nestled between the pages of that small black book locked away for nearly a decade. The peace she found through her dreams. A brother's love....