Fake Your Death

June 28th 1984 – My mother gave birth to me in the neighbour’s barn due to a tree blocking the road
June 28th 1994 – I get my first bike. Tilly, my sister, brakes it
June 28th 2004 – Rhiannon surprises me with a trip to Hawaii. Two days after, my dad dies.
June 28th 2014 – It’s my 30th birthday today. Gerard is gone. My dad is gone. My life is horrid and I’m going mental.


I stared up at my old bedroom ceiling. Except it didn’t feel like my bedroom anymore. The walls had been painted a pale green while the bed covers were now a deep purple. There were no longer fairy lights laced around the metal pattern on the top of my bed. Even the mattress feels different. Outside, a summer storm was brewing over the valley. Every farmer was hurriedly getting their animals into safety while every mother was being annoyed that their washing was getting wet, again. I just laid still on my bed, staring.

“Jade, why don’t you come down sweetie?” my mother asked, peering around the door. Her brown hair was neatly tied up into a bun which only made me think she was stressing. She doesn’t like her hair in her face when she stresses.
“Please. Tilly just arrived and Ben has just gone out to get some more food.” My ears pricked up to Tilly. I hadn’t seen her in nearly a year. I jumped out of bed, grabbing my woollen cardigan and began to slowly walk down the old stairs. The hairs on my arms stood up at I placed my bare foot on the bittering cold kitchen floor. There in front of me stood a tall women in skinny jeans and a Kasabian top. Her wavy brown hair softly bounced as she walked towards me. Pale white teeth peeked through her massive smile that began to form. I lifted my arms up to go and hug her; gripping tightly on the cardigan’s ends.
“Hey sis. How you holding up?” she asked.
“Better now you’re here.” I loosen my grip on Tilly and began to make my way to the kettle. By now, the summer storm had taken full effect as rain crashed onto the patio outside. I watched as it flooded onto the muddy grass.

“Happy Birthday by the way” Tilly called out. I turned to look at her to find her rummaging around in her bright red bag.
“Here you go” she said as she pulled out a neatly wrapped present.
“Thank you!” I smiled back, taking the present out of her hands. I stroked the pink polka-dotted paper before hooking my finger under in. I carefully ripped the paper to reveal a photo frame. Inside the photo frame contained pictures and items containing memories. There were pictures of me and Tilly, Mum and Dad, Me and…Gerard. Me and Gerard. All the people I love in one place. I looked back at Tilly and smiled the most I had in two months.
“This is so beautiful Tilly. Thank you so much!” I said as a tear fell from my eye.
“Its okay. I thought you might like it.”

Maybe the birthday curse I have on me isn’t that bad.

Notes