Vintage & Feather Love

                                    

                                          
"Light as a feather." He says with a wink.
                          
I scoff and roll my eyes. My arms are crossed as I watch him try and lift the 200lbs barbells. 
                          
He lifts it about two inches before giving up. I smirk.
                          
He sits up, panting. He sees my expression and immediately toughens up. "Whatever sis."
                          
I wait for him to get up and change out of his gym clothes then we head home. 
                          
My brother's at the wheel and I stare out the window waiting for my favorite store to pass by. Or rather for us to pass by it. 
                          
Vintage
                          
I smile to myself as I see the feathered hats and 1900's dresses in the windows. It may be weird but I love the old days. 
                          
"Looking at Vintage again, Lu?" 
                          
I turn to look at my brother who's got a warm smile on his face. He knows I love anything vintage. Just like mom.
                          
"Not exactly a surprise." I reply.
                          
He chuckles. "Definitely not a surprise." 
                          
We're soon home and he parks in the garage. We walk inside and see our parents at the dining table having a serious discussion. Luke and I exchange a look.
                          
We decide to say hi anyway. We kiss their cheeks and give a little hug.
                          
"Hello, dears." Mom says softly. Tears are in her eyes.
                          
Our expressions change, our faces fall. 
                          
"Mom? What's wrong?" I ask.
                          
She looks at dad and they share a look. 
                          
"I'll be going back to the hospital. The doctors found another thing from the last checkup." She says quietly.
                          
I can feel Luke waiting for me to look at him. For us to share the same feeling and thoughts. And I do look at him. 
                          
The same thought comes to mind. God, please don't let this be what we think it is.
                          
***
2 months later  
                          
Luke and I are riding home from gym again. This time, I've been cranking up my time and workout. Releasing all my emotions into whatever I can. 
                          
We drive by Vintage and I don't even look. My eyes stayed glued to the gray of the road. Just like the gray of my life. No more color.
                          
We head home and I run upstairs. I know dad and Luke are watching me run up. But I can't face them. I feel it again. The pain, the longing, the loss.
                          
I look around my room. Light brown and white wallpaper, an old fashioned white chair, dark brown study table and bed, a vintage telephone, books, a feathered hat. I have a collection of bird feathers and a special feather mom gave me as a quill for my writing. Mom. I sigh and jump onto my bed and find myself crying into my pillow. I eventually fall asleep.
                          
I wake up to someone shaking me. 
                          
"What?" I munble.
                          
"Luvayn. Come on. You've got to see this." I hear the urgency in Luke's voice and can't imagine what else could go wrong now. Oh, no.
                          
I sit up and run out of my room and down the stairs. 
                          
"Dad?" 
                          
I don't see him in the living room and I walk into the library. But not in time to see the full packed room.
                          
As I step in, the lights turn on and I hear a shout.
                          
"Happy birthday Luvayn!" 
                          
Tears gather in my eyes as I look at each and every face. Dad's in the middle, holding a cake. Just like the one mom used to make us on our birthdays. 
                          
Mom.
                          
I look up at the family picture of the four of us. She's smiling there as she always did. As she did before she said her final goodbye.
                          
I look back at dad who saw where I was looking. He's got tears now too.
                          
"Blow out your candles and let's eat. I hope this cake is good enough." He says.
                          
I smile and blow the candles. I step forward and kiss dad on the cheek. "It's more than enough."
                          
I step back and stifle a laugh as I realize what everyone's wearing. 
                          
Some wear long skirts with blouses, and gloves. Others wear Sunday dresses and suits like those in Narnia or other old movies. Vintage.
                          
I feel someone place a hat on my head. I turn to see Luke smiling at me and holding two boxes.
                          
He hands me the smaller one. I open it and see a beautiful plum dress with lavender feathers laced into the left side. Mom's old dress. 
                          
I excuse myself to put it on and when I enter the library, everyone stills.
                          
Dad has tears again and he says, "You look just like my mom. Feathers and all." 
                          
I hug him and see Luke hand me one more box. 
                          
I open the heavy thing and gasp. A beautiful golden retriever puppy looks up at me. 
                          
"We decided to get you the dog you've always bugged us about. Mom decided to buy one for your birthday." Dad explains.
                          
I pick up the beautiful golden puppy and kiss her sweet little head.
                          
"What'll you name her?" Luke asks, a glint in his eyes, knowing exactly what I'll say.
                          
"Lady. Lady Feather. Funny name but means so much." 
                          
I kiss the puppy once again and get into a group hug with my dad and brother. I look up one more time at the family picture.
                          
Thank you mom. My love for you is older than vintage and definitely light as feather but weighs as heavy as can be. I love you and I miss you.