I was released from the hospital a few days later, the fresh air tasted sweet on my tongue, and the freedom to hobble around on my crutches felt good and refreshing. After having so much time to think, I could clearly remember the crash now. I had no major injuries, just a broken leg, some scratches, and bruises. I promised that as soon as I got home I would call Mrs. Smith, Liz’s mom, and see what had happened to Liz and Haylie.
On the way home, I clutched the seat with trembling hands, while my parents talked. Occasionally they would glance back at me or ask if I was okay.
…………………
When we reached our drive way, I was exhausted, wasting no time to get into the house. The house looked the same, nothing had changed except that there were flowers every where. My father followed me up the stairs to make sure I would be fine.
“Dad I’ll be fine, you can go now,” I assured him at the top of the stairs. I hobbled into my room, the sent of roses caused my nose to tingle in pleasure. I slipped off my shoes, threw myself on my bed, then looked around the room. Flowers sat on my desk, with several cards beside the tall, pretty vase of roses. I rolled over on my bed, I practically sank into the soft, fluffy bed. Compared to the hospital beds this was heaven. I closed my eyes, and before I knew it I fell into deep dream filled sleep.
…………………
A loud crash woke me up, I grabbed my crutches and raced down stairs to see what happened. When I reached the living room, I heard my mother crying.
“She’s gone, I cant believe it. Just like that Liz is gone,” she cried.
“No, no,” I whispered. My dad sat there, just staring ahead. I ran out the door frantically, a few seconds later I was knocking on the Smiths door. One look at Mrs. Smith confirmed my fears, she had been crying, I just knew it.
“Come in, come in, every one is in the family room”.
“All right,” I whispered as I wove my way through the family room. The sight I found in the family room was shocking, every one was smiling and laughing. Standing there in shock, I watched as they shared memories of Liz.
“What are you doing? Shouldn’t you be crying, you do know that Liz just died,” I called out angrily. Every one turned to watch me, and I felt myself turn ten shades of red.
“She’s not dead, you know,” Mr. Smith finally answered. I looked at them like they were crazy. Mrs. Smith came in set down the tray she was carrying, and led me to a empty place on the couch. I sat there confused for a while, but for the next few hours, they told me about Jesus and the Bible. Also, they told me that tomorrow will always have hope if you let it. Their Bible is their everlasting hope, and their hope for Liz, but until then I had never had any hope for Liz. Finally what Liz had told made complete sense.
…………………
The next day Haylie came over with a book.
“I know you miss Liz, so I brought you this,” Haylie said as she handed me the book. I looked at the cover, it was Liz’s Bible. At the bottom of the Bible Liz’s full name ‘Elizabeth Grace Smith’ was engraved in gold.
“Thank you so much ,” I said.
“The last words Liz said were ‘Tell her I’ll be watching her from heaven’ then she said ‘I love you‘,” whispered Haylie.
“Thank you Haylie,” I sobbed.
…………………
Haylie taught me that we can always hope. Hope will never run out, if it seems hope has run out you should just dig a little deeper.
…………………
Liz’s gravestone reads ‘Elizabeth Grace Smith July 20, 1998- June 20, 2011’ below that these words are carved ‘Hope is forever: yesterday, today, and tomorrow.’ I miss Liz, but when ever I think of her, I think of what she wrote in the front of her bible. ‘Tomorrow’s Everlasting Hope’ are words now engraved on my heart, and these words will always remind me that what ever life brings at me I can have hope to get me through it.
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