No One Came Chapter 12
Grandma walked up to Mom. Her voice was quiet, but her words were sharp.
“Angela, Adriana was a good girl, right from the start. I always saw how much she was hurting. But you never listened to me.”
“You always said I was taking her side. Well, now she’s gone. You don’t have to worry about me favoring her anymore.”
After she finished, Grandma turned and left.
She didn’t comfort Mom. She didn’t hug her.
Mom just stood there, motionless.
The school counselor came over and handed Mom a bouquet of white lilies.
“Mrs. Ferraro, I’m so sorry for your loss. Adriana was a good kid. She was just too quiet.”
She paused for a moment.
“I spoke with her once. I asked if something was wrong at home, but she just shook her head. She couldn’t bring herself to say anything. Looking back, I wish I had pushed harder.”
Mom didn’t speak. She just stared at my photograph.
The counselor continued, “There’s one more thing. Adriana once wrote a short essay for class, titled ‘My Wish.’ “
“She wrote that her greatest wish was for her brother to call her ‘Sis’ one day, instead of just ‘hey’ or ‘you.’ She said hearing it just once would be enough.”
Mom’s body swayed, and she almost collapsed.
When the funeral ended, the rain stopped.
The mourners slowly drifted away.
Only Mom and Dad were left in the cemetery.
“Angela, I want a divorce.”
Dad’s voice was flat, devoid of emotion.
“You can have the house. I’ll take the car. We’ll split the savings. Nico’s coming with me.”