Three, Two, One: I Close My Eyes Forever

Hannah sat down at the table, still looking pretty ticked off.

"Oliver really has no worries at all. Even though he knows we are back, he still won't come out of his room. All he does is sleep, and he sleeps like the dead!

"One of these days, he's going to sleep himself into an early grave! He causes trouble every day, and he still can't do basic math!"

I could now! I floated right up to Hannah, pointing at the pile of empty bottles. "I counted them perfectly! Check if you don't believe me! Big meanie!"

I was never going to talk to her again. With a huff, I floated off to sit on top of the coffin.

When I saw Grandma reaching for the fish with her fork, I rushed over. "Grandma, you can't eat the fish! There are bones in it!"

To my surprise, as if Grandma had actually heard me, she murmured, "No, no. I shouldn't eat this. Oliver should have the fish."

Blake served Grandma a bunch of other food before speaking loudly in her ear. "Janet, Hannah already set aside food for Oliver. Don't worry and just dig in."

Grandma nodded, and only then did she start eating. I looked around when I heard that. Sure enough, there was an untouched plate of food in the kitchen.

Hmph. So Hannah did still care about me. Since I was the bigger person, I should forgive her.

After dinner, Hannah placed the plate in front of my door.

"Oliver, Blake and I are going out. Make sure you and Grandma lock the gate. When we get back, I hope you'll sincerely apologize to Blake. You were the one in the wrong here, you know. A good brother owns up to his mistakes and makes things right."

But Hannah, I had already gone to sleep. Floating in the yard, I watched Hannah and Blake load all the recyclables onto the trike.

They were talking about going stargazing by the river. I watched their figures fade into the distance, then looked at the unlocked front gate.

I let out a sigh. It would seem like it was up to me to protect Grandma in the end.

In the yard, Grandma rocked back and forth in her chair, her eyes sparkling as she gazed at the moon overhead.

"Oliver…"

I was nodding off nearby when I heard Grandma call my name. "What is it, Grandma?"

"Oliver… Oliver…"

Her voice was thick with sorrow as she reached desperately into empty air.

"Grandma, I'm right here!"

Not sure if she could see me or not, I frantically circled her.

Suddenly, I had an idea. I made my way toward the eaves and blew on the wind chimes. The tinkling sounds filled the air. It was as if this was my way of answering her.

While listening to the chimes, Grandma peacefully drifted off to sleep in the yard.

Wouldn't she catch a cold sleeping here?

With a pout, I yanked at the blanket on Grandma's legs like crazy. It took everything I had, but I finally managed to pull it over her.

Good night, Grandma. I floated to her side, my eyes fixed on the front gate.

I was afraid some foolish thief might break in, though I was probably worrying too much. Our house was practically bare. Who would bother stealing from us?

The sun started to rise in the distance, bathing me in warm sunlight.

Hannah and Blake came back hand in hand. The moment they pushed the gate, their faces fell. "Why isn't the gate locked?"

They rushed inside, breathing a sigh of relief when they saw Grandma was okay.

Grandma woke up with a start and grabbed Hannah's hand. "Oliver… Oliver!"

"Don't any of you try to stop me today. I need to make sure Oliver understands how serious this is! If he can't even handle something as easy as watching the house, he'll be useless!"

Rolling up her sleeves, Hannah stormed toward my room.

Grandma grabbed her sleeve. She stared fixedly at the coffin in the distance. Her voice was full of sorrow as she exclaimed, "Oliver… is gone!"