The Calm After the Storm

It was the day we were supposed to remember Mom's passing.

I waited and waited.

Dad had someone bring over fresh flowers.

However, there was no sign of Matthias.

After three unanswered calls, the fourth was finally picked up.

It was Anna's mom on the line. "Emma, is that you? Are you looking for Matthias?"

"Today is my mom's death anniversary."

"Oh dear! It's your mom's deathday? We're so forgetful. I'm so sorry.

"Our puppy just had babies today, and Matthias and Anna were so excited that they forgot all about today...

"It's too late to come over now. What should we do?"

"Mrs. Jones, who are you talking to?"

"It's Emma. She sounds upset. What should we do, Matthias?"

"Hey, Emma?" I heard Matthias's voice.

I hung up right away and blocked his number.

Mom's smiling face looked down at me from the black and white photo on her gravestone.

Her smile was full of love and kindness.

April had rolled around again.

I sat there on the ground, feeling like I was at the bottom of a freezing pit.

I hugged the photo of Mom and kissed it.

'It's alright. I'm here, and I'll never forget you, Mom,' I thought to myself.

After leaving the lawyer's office, I got back to our little house.

To my surprise, I saw Walter and two others there.

Anna was in the middle of the trio, holding a big bouquet and beaming with joy.

Matthias was the first to speak.

"Emma, look at Anna. She's done something amazing! Her design just won a major international prize."

"I just wanted to follow in your footsteps, Emma," Anna said, her voice timid and humble.

Looking over the design’s draft, Walter let out a snort. "Follow in her footsteps?

"She got her master's degree, yet she’s never won any awards like this before.

"Designing is all about having a gift, Anna. Don't sell yourself short."

Something on the draft caught my eye.

I could not resist stepping closer and grabbing it from Walter.

Each page was nearly identical to my rough draft.

Anna had stolen my ideas to win the prize!

"You copied my designs! Anna, how could you be so dishonest?!"

Anger made me shake all over, and I lifted my hand to slap her.

However, before I could, Walter grabbed my wrist tightly.

A sudden, strong push sent me tumbling to the ground in a heap.