Chapter 27 #3
Before me sits our treehouse, its outer walls wrapped in beautiful, large wildflowers and greenery gifted by nature.
I watch in awe as vines wrap and twirl along the wooden ladder leading up to the small door.
The moon is double its size, its haunting glow cascading everywhere.
A sense of warmth feels me from the inside out, so intense that I close my eyes, drinking in every ounce.
When my eyes fly open, I stand before the ladder, one hand resting on the step above me.
My hand is much smaller than before, like a child’s hand.
A sense of familiarity consumes me, causing a genuine smile to form along my lips.
Cheerful giggles fill the air; my head shoots up to the treehouse.
The small door slowly swings open. And again, my body feels the pull of something telling me to continue forward.
As I climb the ladder’s steps, I hear familiar laughter ring through my ears, urging me to climb quicker.
Once I reach the top, I peek through the open door. My eyes sparkle with excitement.
I’m frozen, watching a young Nora Ray twirl in circles in the moonlight, its blue aura dancing around her like a protective shield.
Her beautiful, long brown hair floats around her with each spin.
“Olive Oil! Dance with me!” she chimes. Her child’s voice is a voice I haven’t heard in a long time but cherish wholeheartedly.
I quickly climb through, rubbing my small hands along my clothes. I look down, seeing I am in a dark blue nightgown with sparkles splashed all over, reminding me of the starry sky.
Nora grabs my hand, and when I look up, I realize she too wears the same nightgown. We say nothing more, grasp hands, and spin in circles, feeling the night sky with our nostalgic laughter. “I’m so happy you’re with me, Olive Oil, one last time.”
Her words hit my chest, but before I could ask her what she means, she pulls me in for a tight hug. My arms wrap around her, and my eyes seal shut.
Our memories together as sisters flood my mind so crucially that I collapse onto the ground, but Nora kneels, holding me close, never letting go.
Memories shoot through like a projector, memories I’ve held onto for so long, and ones I’ve never seen, visions of Nora younger than I remember holding a baby, kicking her feet with excitement, the feeling of genuine love wraps around me.
I’m the baby that she’s holding in her arms. She was the big sister that was ready to protect her little sister.
Warm tears flow down my cheeks as every moment stamps in my mind and tugs on my heart. Nora then picks me up, spinning me gently. I hold tight around her neck, wanting to stay in this moment forever. She puts me down; I keep my eyes squeezed shut.
“Open your eyes, Olive.” Her childlike voice is now gone. I open my eyes to find Nora and I standing at the treehouse window. My hands are no longer small. My moon bracelet dangles from my wrist.
I look up at Nora; she’s no longer herself as a child.
Her bracelet rests along her wrist as she holds onto the wood of the cutout window.
Her contagious smile blooms around her, that smile I’ve missed for so long.
I observe her as she turns and stares at the moon, a sense of peace glowing around her body.
When I look at the large moon, I realize it is slowly approaching, growing in size. I look back to Nora; her eyes grow big, not with worry but longing.
“Thank you for being the best little sister,” she breathes. With those words came the realization that she was leaving me. And this was our goodbye.
My lips tremble as I place my hand over hers. “Please, don’t go. I can’t do this without you.”
Nora looks at our touching hands, and a star-like tear rolls down her cheek when her brown eyes meet mine.
“That’s not true, Olive; you don’t need me anymore, not in that way.
You are the strongest person I know. And I’m so proud you’re my little sister.
Since I first held you, I loved you with all of me. ” Her voice cracks.
I shake my head profusely. “No, no… please.” I cry out.
“Shhh… It’s okay, Olive Oil. He’s waiting for me.” Nora looks to the moon. And in that second, I knew she was talking about Jake.
Jake is waiting for her. My body pulls away like a magnetic field. I grab Nora’s hand tightly, the only thing keeping me from sliding further away from her.
Nora smiles at me. “You have to let go, Olive.”
Desperate cries leave my throat. “I can’t, please…” I strain out.
The pull on my body became stronger, causing my grip on her hand to slip slightly.
Nora retorts. “When you feel far from me, look to the moon. I’ll be right there, always.” A humming noise surrounds us. “Look at me, Olive. Remember, sisters forever.”
I give a slow nod, accepting I have to let go. I can’t be selfish anymore.
“Sisters forever,” I whisper. As my hand slides from her, I keep my eyes on my beautiful big sister, soaking her in for the last time. I choke out, “I love you, Nora Ray, to the moon and far beyond the stars.”
A single tear falls from her eye. She gives me a slight nod and turns to the window. As I’m pulled further away, her eyes slam shut, and I watch as her body becomes nothing but a bright light so intense that I have no choice but to close my eyes. A hum so loud that I cover my ears.
For a moment, I hear Nora’s comforting tone in my mind. “I will love you forever, little sister.”
In one quick breath, everything goes silent, and blackness swallows me whole again.