http://www.writerq.com/mobile/ladydayton/ Latest updates from Lena Dayton http://www.writerq.com/mobile/library/945/reason-of-mine/ Yet a reason exists for us all.
If you think that the reason's to die, as is done,
Then you're wrong, it's to have us a ball.

Our problems are many, our solutions are few.
The people have plenty, yet little to do.
Fun is our object, love is our style,
Death is our problem, life is our trial.]]> http://www.writerq.com/mobile/library/945/reason-of-mine/ Wed, 04 Mar 2015 20:52:56 +0000 Lena Dayton http://www.writerq.com/mobile/library/944/silence-is-pure/ "Are you watching that sappy movie, again?” Griffin said with overt disdain in his voice.
“Yes. What of it?”
“I swear Laken, you've seen it a thousand times.”
“Fifty four actually. Don’t roll your eyes at me! You know how I feel about Billy Crystal. ” I began to laugh and snort, "You remember the Roy Rogers wagon wheel coffee table?”
“Yeah, yeah I know.” His voice changed into a girly screech, “'When Harry Met Sally is a classic.’ Whatever, Pudge.”
Wanting him to get out of my line of sight, I sniffed loudly, “Dude, seriously, you smell.”
"What? I showered before I left the locker room.” Griffin said as he started to sniff his arm pit. Trying to clear his nose, he muttered, “Ok, yeah I get it. By the way, did Lexi call? She’s so hot.”
“She’s a senior and completely out of your league, little brother. I suggest you move on.”
“Are you kidding?” he bellowed while stopping on the stairs, “No one is out of my league. I’m the Griff; everybody wants me. And you’re less than a minute older.”
I made a gagging face. I honestly didn't see where he got his confidence. Sure, he’s blonde haired, blue eyed, 6’2” broad shouldered and pure muscle. Not to mention, a beast on the football field, but I’m at a loss. How did our parents produce offspring that are so completely opposite? We don’t even believe we’re fraternal twins, much less anyone else.
Me, myself, I’m barely five foot even and have the unfortunate gene to carry all my weight in my hips. I have red hair, not bright red but the kind of red that’s mostly blonde except when it’s wet. Yet, I was blessed with the most vibrant green eyes you have ever seen this side of Ireland. Unfortunately my glasses obstruct anyone from seeing them, not that anyone was ever looking. I am known as the quintessential “nerd”. I’m never without a book and I can remember almost everything I have ever read or even heard. I have only one friend; who is in love with my ridicules brother to my dismay. So, I rarely let her come over any more. No one needs to hear her sigh every time he walks in the room or blush if he looks in her direction.
Griffin, on the other hand, is friends with everyone. He has always had a way of charming people just by smiling and speaking to them as if they’re his favorite person in the world. Can you believe he has missed every test ever given in an entire semester and still had a B average? Like I said, he’s smarmy, I mean charming. I know it’s mostly the football thing. Football is a religion around here. Sadly, if we lose one game the entire town wears black like they’re in mourning. But it’s been like this our entire lives. I realize I sound bitter though I’m not. I've enjoyed my anonymity and the fact that I can come home, curl up on the sofa, and read or watch one of my movies without being bothered by a phone call or people wanting to hang out.
The sound of the phone brought me back to reality. I checked the caller ID and mumbled, “Oh look, Lexi’s calling.” I decided to just let the machine get it; I had no desire to hear her giggly voice say my brother’s name. As soon as I get back into the movie, I heard the sound of an elephant coming down the stairs.
“Why didn't you answer the phone?” my brother whined with almost a hint of anger.
“Because, I had no need to speak with her. I knew you would check the machine. You’re not even dry. Anyways, I figured you would just call her back.” I gave him my “now go away” stare.
“Oh. Okay.” He turned to go then stopped. “I know I give you shit and try to hurt your feelings but, I don’t mean it, okay?”
What? Where did that come from? I was too stunned to reply. I just looked at him with what I hoped wasn't horror or mass confusion, even though I was thoroughly confused. I stammered “uh, yeah, I… I know.” He just blinked at me a few times then retreated back up to his room.
The rest of the evening was uneventful. I could hear Griffin talking on the phone until well after midnight. Practice always starts at 8AM, coach insists you be there by 7:30. He was always gone by the time I managed to get out of bed and make it downstairs for breakfast. It was just our routine. The next morning though, my entire world turned upside down and forever inside out. I still remember the phone ringing and my mom answering in her sing song voice then all I can remember is being in the backseat of the car as my dad sped down Front St. and then turned into the Mattie Williams Medical Center. The ER had been filled by the entire football team, all of the coaches, a few kids I knew from school, and most of the track team. They were in every seat, standing in every corner, and a few even waited outside. I vaguely remember the looks of pity, sadness, and confusion. But I remember the smell most of all. It was the smell of the hospital; sickeningly sterile with a hint of cleaning products and rubbing alcohol.
Coach Stone said he didn't seem to be tackled harder than normal, but when they all hit the ground there was a loud crunching sound.
I was blocking my nose as I crept up next to him. He looked so small in that bed.
“Griff,” I whispered.
His bloodshot eyes flickered open, “Do I smell that bad Pudge?”
Grinning, “not too bad.” I said.
He shot his dimpled pretty boy grin at me, “good, any idea what’s going on?”
I shook my head, “the doc’s still talking to mom and dad.”
He winced and made a small groaning sound then I heard the sound that pierces my silence. My larger than life little brother coughed then took his last breath. The sounds of his machines and the roar of the blood rushing into my ears still haunts me. At the funeral I couldn't be alone. If even for a moment there wasn't someone or something making noise or drawing my attention, I would start to panic. For months, I
would wake up thinking I heard Griff laughing or worse coughing.
“It’s hard to believe I’m standing here today as valedictorian sharing this very intimate memory with you. The last two years have changed me in so many ways and yet I’m still the same. I’m still the girl who is never without a book and enjoys watching the same sappy movies a thousand times. But I’m also the girl who has many friends and lights up when the phone rings. I know Griff would tell me “Pudge, you've got to give it up, this shadow that haunts you. Let your sun shine.” My classmates giggle because that was so Griff. It makes me smile too. “I have to quit fearing the silence; silence is pure. So today I’m giving up the noise. I’m giving up the ghost and I’m giving up the shadow. Today I let my sun shine.”]]> http://www.writerq.com/mobile/library/944/silence-is-pure/ Wed, 04 Mar 2015 05:15:07 +0000 Lena Dayton