Gone . . . But Not Forgotten Part 1

By Micaiah C.

Chapter 1:

             “Lily don’t climb on the bookcase. You’re too big for that.” Called Andrea (Andi) Rose Carter Prescott. She smiled and rubbed her belly. She was pregnant for the third time, carrying her fourth child.

            She was due any day. She couldn’t wait for that day to come. The baby took up all her energy.

                                                                      *************

            The next morning as she was making breakfast, a familiar pain ripped through her stomach.

“Riley!” Andi called

Riley ran in “What is it Andi?”  

“Send one of the hands to the ranch to get mother, and then to get the doctor.”

“Wait Andi, you mean---”

“Yes! Go!”

Her words set Riley in motion. He ran out the door and called out, “Joey! Go get Mrs. Carter, and the doctor!” Joey stood stock still “Go!”

Joey ran into the barn and came out on a horse.

      Andi went into her and Riley’s room to lay down, as another pain ripped through her body.             

*************

            Mother came through the door and went over to the bed and took off her cloak.

“Doc Weaver should be here soon.” She said.

            Doc Weaver came in soon after.

Suddenly she felt a change in her labor. She pushed with all her Might. She pushed again and again, and soon a baby’s little cry echoed off the walls. Andi then let sweet, sweet sleep take her away.

 

Chapter 2:

 

            Andi woke to the sound of soft murmuring voices. As her eyes opened, she saw mother walking toward her with a big smile on her face, and a small wiggling bundle in her arms. “Andrea meet your son.”

Andi smiled “I have a boy?”

“Yes, a beautiful child. Healthy too. What are you and Riley going to name him.”

“Andrew James.” She murmured, as she accepted her son from her mother. She touched a finger to his fuzzy head, and then began to feed her little boy.

                                                                ***************

            Andi shuddered. She had been able to get up a couple days ago. Right now she was cleaning up the kitchen, since it had been neglected for days. There were dishes scattered everywhere, and breadcrumbs covered the floor. She heard a small wail, and walked over to Andrew’s cradle and picked him up, and crooned, “Is it time for some lunch sweetie?”

                                                                 **************

A year and six months later:

    

            Andi walked through the door whistling, she felt like she was on the top of the world, she had four healthy children, a wonderful husband, and a beautiful home.

            She went into the room and went to look into Andrew’s tiny bed. Andrew had turned into a crawler from a quiet sleepy baby what seemed like overnight, and then into a toddler that could take a few steps before falling back onto his padded bottom. She looked into the bed and screamed. “Riley!”

Andrew’s face was purple, and blue, and he was having problems breathing.

“Riley!” she screamed again

Riley ran in and looked into Andrew’s bed and gasped. As quickly as he had come, he was gone.

            “I’m going for the doctor.” He called over his shoulder, but by the time he was back, it was too late.

Chapter: 3

 

            Andrew breathed his last and died. Andi stood still numb with shock, as Riley came in with the Doc Weaver.

 

Riley’s POV:

 

            Riley mounted Dakota and galloped out of the yard, without explaining to the hands, and they called after him, but he hardly heard them and rode on. He pushed Dakota hard, and made it to town in an  hour and fifteen minutes. He ran into Doc Weaver’s and dragged him out without saying a word.

“What is this, Riley?!” exclaimed Doc Weaver

“It’s Andrew!” Gasped Riley between breaths. “Something’s wrong… he can’t breathe!”

The doctor needed no more, he was right behind Riley.

                                                                  ****************

            Riley burst through the door. Andi stood there, in shock. He rushed over to her side and looked into the bed. Andrew lay there without moving or breathing. Riley caught his breath. Andrew was dead.

Chapter 4:

(Andi’s POV)

 

            It had been almost three weeks since Andrew had died, Andi would hardly eat or sleep. The Doctor said that if she didn’t start taking care of herself she could die as well. Andi’s mother had come to help out, and look after her grandchildren.

            Andi looked up as Riley entered the bedroom. He came over to the bed and sat down. “How long are you going to keep living like this? It’s not Jared, or the twins’ fault Andrew died. It’s not mine, or anybody else’s, but you’re neglecting us anyway. Your children need you.” He paused, “I need you. How long are you going to sit here in self-pity? How long are you going to let your mother take over your responsibilities? It’s like when you lost Taffy all over again. You blamed your brothers even though it wasn’t their fault.”

Andi began to sob. “I can’t!” she said with her head in her hands.

“You can.” He replied in a softer voice, “Give your hurt to the LORD. He can give you peace. You will see Andrew again someday.”

Andi sobbed on and collapsed into Riley’s arms. A few minutes later she let her last sob out, and said,

“You’re right Riley. I will see him again. Andrew’s gone, but he will never be forgotten.”