Your Mother’s Things

All the decorations your dad threw away because they reminded him of mom are back.

You pinch yourself to make sure you aren’t dreaming.

“Dear, is that you? You’re home early. How was the haunted house?”

You nearly faint.

“Mom?”

You rush into the kitchen and she’s there. She has the same wavy blonde hair, the same loving, slightly lopsided, smile, even the same smell.

“Mom!” You rush into her arms and give her an enormous hug.

“What’s with the hug. It’s not like you haven’t seen me?”

“But...but...you were dead...the cancer...”

“Almost dead. If it wasn’t for that new **** I wouldn’t be here. Did you have a bad dream?”

“I...I’m just glad you’re here, mom!”

You give her one more giant hug before running upstairs to call Asia.

You pop open your video chat and she answers.

“Asia, you won’t believe this! My mom is alive!”

She looks at you like you’ve lost it.

“Brandi, she’s been alive. I saw her yesterday.” She says nonchalantly.

You continue with small talk while you try to grasp what has happened. You made a wish, signed a scroll, and now you have your wish. You think maybe I should’ve added being rich to the contract.

“I have to go, Brandi. Mom wants me.”

“Bye.”

You hang up. You feel tired, drained, shocked, and excited all at once. You put on pajamas, uncertain if you’ll be able to sleep. You kneel by the side of your bed and put your hands together in prayer.