Healing Her Wounds (Mayflower Series #1)

"I’m so sorry, Mads.” The words whispered into the air, awaking Maddie from her slumber. She opened her heavy eyes to see her sister, Julia, sitting by her bed. Her jet black hair was tied neatly into a bun, and she wore her usual jeans and shirt. For a moment, Maddie wondered if it was time for Julia to go to work, but something tugged at the back of her mind, telling her it was much too early in the morning. Tears seemed to form in Julia’s eyes but refused to fall. Maddie was confused and blinked her eyes to wipe away the sleepy fog that still nestled in them. “Jules?” Maddie called out as she pulled herself from her bed. Before she could fully sit up, Julia had her wrapped around her arms in a tight embrace. A gentle kiss was placed on her forehead as Julia pulled away. Maddie had felt many affectionate kisses from her sister growing up, but this time it felt different. It felt sadder and almost as if it was goodbye. Maddie looked closer at her sister, trying to decipher the turmoil she noticed in Julia's eyes. It was only then that Maddie noticed the rain as it pattered against the window. It casted shadows through the window against the moonlight which flickered on Julia’s face. Lightning suddenly flashed from afar and illuminated the big luggage by the door, followed by the foreboding of thunder that rumbled through the house. Maddie looked up at Julia, a question at the tip of her tongue, yet she could not bring herself to ask. “I’m so sorry, Mads,” Julia repeated, barely containing her emotions. “But I need to go.” “When will you be back?” Maddie whispered, desperation seeping into her. “College will take awhile, Mads,” replied Julia, determination set in her eyes. “I need to go and study and get a job for us. You know that.” “When will you be back?” Maddie spoke louder, equally determined to get an answer, knowing that her sister was deliberately evading her question. Julia’s eyes widened as she hurriedly covered Maddie’s mouth with her hand, silencing her. They listened intently for sounds of movement outside the room against the rain that pattered softly against the window. They were both tense, waiting to hear something, anything that might get them in trouble, but all they heard were the sounds of distant thunder and raindrops. With a sigh of relief, Julia lowered her hand. “We mustn’t wake him, you know that,” Julia chided. She pushed back loose strands of hair from Maddie's face and tugged it behind her ear. “It may take a few years, Mads, but I promise I will come back for you as soon as I can.” Involuntary tears began to form as Maddie slowly understood what was happening. Her young mind knew the answer to her unanswered question and at the same time she knew there was nothing she could do about it. She was helpless. She could cry and plead, but when had that ever really worked? Julia gently wiped each tear as they slowly ran down Maddie's face. She whispered, “I won’t be able to protect you for awhile, so you gotta watch out for yourself, okay? If anything happens, find Susan. She has taken care of me and has promised to take care of you too.” Julia’s reassuring smile wavered. Maddie nodded reluctantly, not trusting her own voice. Julia kissed her forehead one final time, lingering just a little longer, like a mother kissing her infant goodbye. "Be strong, okay?" Maddie could hear the tremble in Julia's voice. Julia squeezed Maddie's arm for comfort before she got off the bed. Dread filled the pit of Maddie’s stomach as she watched her sister head for the door. Just as her hands reached for the door knob, Julia turned back to Maddie with the faintest of smiles. “I’m so sorry, Mads. I’ll see you soon.” Maddie simply stared at her as she turned and left the room, unable to find the strength to call her back. Unable to process anything through the pain of losing her best friend. Unable to rid herself of feeling all alone in that darkened room, in that darkened world. She tried her best to control the sobs that escaped her. She mustn't wake him. That was something she knew very well. For her sake and her sister's she mustn't wake him. Being as quiet as possible was the last thing she could do for her sister, but the sadnes that welled up in her forced the tears to spill out like an endless waterfall. It was like the day her mother had left them, only worse, because this time there really was no one else left for her to hold onto. That was the last time Maddie ever saw her elder sister, Julia.