I returned home later on, under the supervision of a nurse. I sat in my bed and cried myself to sleep. In my dreams it all came to me so fast. It was like watching the accident in fast forward. My mom pulled out across the street, the other man came flying down the road. With the rain so heavy she didn't stand a chance. Screeching, crumbling of metal, and then silence. Two seconds later there were sirens everywhere. I screamed as they pulled her from the wreck, bloody and lifeless.
     I awoke with a jolt. I was in a cold sweat, my heart was beating so fast, and my breathing was hard. I just let the tears flow down my face.

     The next morning there were all of Mom's friends, co-workers, and our family around the grave. For some sick reason the doctors and police officers though it would be better for her to be buried right away. They had to feelings. I hated their cold hearts for making me sugger. It seemed as though the whole world wanted me to go through as much pain as it could put me in.
     "I'm very sorry for your loss. Your mother was a wonderful person." I heard that all day long. Couldn't anyone come up with something original to say? Words that meant something. Words with actual feeling and love.
     My aunts, uncles, and cousins hugged me and stoof by my side, but it wasn't enough. My closest friends LeAnne, Robyn, and Samantha were there as well. They knew I had to leave soon. Thinking about this made it all seem even worse. my whole life changed in a matter of seconds. If only she had left earlier...or later...this would never had happened. Everything would be normal, and I hated the world for that. I couldn't understand why he had to be taken away from me, from everyone she loved. It wasn't fair.

     I am scared to move in with my father. my life has changed because of this so much, and it's very frightening to start all over again, to become brand new. I realize how hard it will be for everyone else, and that I will have someone to tlak to if I ever need to.

     Ms. Dunby's eyes had started to water when she finished the story. She admired Alexi's maturity in dealing with this big change. She knew she would miss her once she was gone.

     Alexi was sitting in her room packing up all her belongings. She couldn't bring much with her, and that upset her. She sighed. "It's going to be okay. Just think of the new beginnings you can have. You have a brand new chance at everything," she said aloud to herself
     She threw her most prized possessions into her backpack along with her teddy bear, Mr. Snuffles. All her photo albums were in her suitcase, especially photos of her mom. Most of her clothes were with her, the rest had been given away. Alexi's dad promised he'd buy her new ones once she got to Chicago.
     Her father's company was sending someone to pick her up. It was only a three hour drive to Chicago, but it seemed like a country away. Once all her stuff was packed up, and a few mementos to remember her mother by, she glanced around her room. This would be the last time she'd be in here. Alexi smiled to herself. Maybe it won't be so bad. And with that she stepped out the door, and into the sunshine. The car pulled up, and she got in.
     "Good-bye," she whispered. "I will remember." A tear slid down her cheek as she drove off. "Good-bye."

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