Reimagining My History

     

                                          

            In the year of 2008, Miley Reed and Ava Robinson met for the first time.  Between many adventures, they became like sisters.  In 2013, Miley passed away, in her sleep, from an unexpected heart issue.  This is the story of how Ava Robinson reimagined her reality. 

Hi.  My name is Ava Kathryn Robinson.  I am 3 years old, and my favorite Disney princess is Ariel.  Today my Mommy is having me meet this girl.  She says that I am going to like her a lot and that she will be my new babysitter.  As I wait, I am starting to get a little nervous because I don’t know what this lady will be like.  What if she is old and wrinkly and hates singing?  Or worse, what if she makes me eat carrots? This could all go terribly wrong and now I am not so sure I want a babysitter. 

“She is here! Come say Hello.” my mom says to me.  It is too late now. I slowly walk out of my room, making my way down the hallway towards the living room.  I peek around the corner, holding my breath.  At first, all I can see is this big bright smile.  It is full of bright-white teeth and takes up half of the woman’s face.  I start to smile back.  I don’t even mean to; she just looks so happy that I feel happy.  I trail my vision across this figure sitting before me.  She has got blonde, curly hair.  When I make it to her eyes, I feel warmth wrap all through me.  She is perfect.  She is a princess, I am positive.  I have been to Disneyworld and met all the princesses.  I have their signatures to prove it.  But, in this moment, I know that they were all fakes, even Ariel.  This is a real princess.

I walk around the corner and head for her.  I am not a shy girl, but standing before this princess, I am. 

            She starts to move towards me.  This is how princesses move, gentle and with grace.  “Hello Ava,” she says, “it is very nice to meet you!”  Her voice is kind.  I am certain that she would never make me eat carrots.  I feel relieved, not that there wasn’t an old woman sitting in the living room, but that the decision has already been made.  She is my babysitter.  I will get to spend all my time with her.  I have a very good feeling about Miley.

I used to think the best days were ice cream days, but I was wrong.  Miley days are the best days.  My princess came back for me, and she has continued to come back ever since that day.  I know so much about her now; her favorite color is pink, the same as mine, and she loves Cinderella.  She takes me everywhere with her.  I have started to notice that she hangs out with me even when she doesn’t have to.  I think I am her best friend too.  We are inseparable.  One day, at one of our sleepovers, she told me that I was her favorite Ava ever.  Do you know how many Avas are in the world?  I don’t, but I know there are a lot.  Of course, I told her that she was my favorite Miley. 

Today Miley took me to meet my little brother at the hospital.  I wanted a sister, but Miley tells me that brothers are cool too.  His name is Max.  We both took turns holding him.  I would be scared that he is going to take her from me, but he can’t really open his eyes yet, so I think I am safe for right now. 

Miley left for college.  She visits, but I don’t get to see her nearly as much as I was.  She takes me to her school sometimes and lets me hang out in her dorm room.  I look forward to summers because we get to spend all our days together.  I know she must be there because she is going to be a teacher, and probably the best one ever.  So, I am okay with it because she only must be there for a couple of years, and then she gets to come back home for good. 

My mom picks me up every day from school.  She usually waves to my teachers and has a big smile on her face.  Today, I got in the car, and she wore no smile.  I am not in a particularly good mood either because I had a substitute teacher today, and she was not nice.  Although, it seems mom might be feeling a little worse than me.  When I ask her what is wrong, she just mutters in a quiet voice.  I talk and tell her how my day is to fill the silence, but I have this sticky feeling in my chest that is hard to ignore.  I have never seen mom like this.  I finally get the hint that maybe silence is what she needs, so I try to stay quiet.  When we get home, she follows me into my room.  She sits on my bed, and I can see tears forming in her eyes.  She takes an uneven breath and starts to speak. 

My heart, lungs, and stomach are all mashed into one, intertwined, twisting in knots.  I am positive that I will need surgery to remove my insides from one another.  I understand what my mom is saying.  Miley will not be coming back from college.  Miley and I’s adventures have come to an end.  My mom is crying harder than I have ever seen her cry.  I feel uncomfortable because I am not crying. 

“Miley went on a mission. God made her such an amazing teacher that he realized he needed her in heaven.  He needs someone to teach the children in heaven and Miley is perfect for that job,” my mom says.  Miley is very smart, and she is going to be the best teacher ever.  I would know, she practices on me.  This is it.  This is why God took her.  It makes sense now.  I want to feel bitter.  There are children who need taught here, on Earth.  I need taught.  But, if God was looking for the most perfect teacher for his students, Miley was the right answer.

            I am older now.  I am in college, almost her age.  I feel her presence all around me.  I see her in flowers, nature, and all things beautiful.  I still have our CD of “Our Songs” and listen to it when I am feeling lonely.  Yes, she left Earth, but that is the thing about a soul tie, she never left me.  I can feel her hugs in the water, hear her laughs in the wind, and see her smile when I look at the sky. 

            I am 97 years old.  I was too old to still be on Earth.  I prayed and prayed for God to take me, for I was ready.  I made it to heaven.  I wander through the lush trees, vibrant flowers; feeling lighter than I ever felt on Earth.  There are thousands of smiling people surrounding me, all with a ethereal glow.  There is one smile that I can’t help but search for, a smile I have longed for since I was a little girl.  I walk and walk until I come upon a small building.  There is a sign on the door signaling it is a classroom.  I take a deep breath and open the door.  There, standing in front of me, is the most beautiful smile I had ever seen.  I feel a jolt of childish joy pass through me.  My princess was waiting for me.  She warms me with her eyes and says, “Welcome home, Ava.”