"There's a light inside the dark, See the days are long and cold and broken Filled with scars, I know it ain't easy to keep movin' on, So you can come on home to me."

Aubrey tossed and turned in her sleep, she'd been sleeping alone for the past four nights while Dave was out of town handling business. The nightmares got worse by the day and no matter how hard she tried to wake up, her eyes never opened until she seen the dream beginning to end.

"I'm going to burn myself! Go get LayLay, tell her to come down" Her mother giggled, jumping away from Unique who kissed her neck.

"RENEE DINNER'S READY!" He yelled out, looking at Milani with a cheeky grin. "Alright, Alright I'm going" The couple was going strong after 24 years, she couldn't help but to want a marriage like the one they had. It was still fresh, and filled with jokes.

Malaysia ran down the steps, no ones food was able to touch her mothers, and wondered why she never opened a restaurant. She was in love with it, and knew everyone else would be too "I'm here, don't eat without me" She rushed into the kitchen, into her father's arms.

"Malaysia set the table please?" Nodding her head, she did exactly what her mother said, making it as perfect as her mother did when she dis it. She wanted to be just like Milani at her age. She even thought about having a child at the age 23 the way her mother did.

"Ma, I'm going to cook just like you one day, and you and daddy are going to love it. I'm going to cook everyday." The family made their way into the dining room and sat in their regular spots.

"So, I'm guessing you're not going to put our old asses in a home huh?" Unique laughed, the jokes came nonstop. He always said when he started acting old, he would start to feel old.

The loud gun shots made Malaysia jump, and her parents sat in front of her in pools of blood. A gunshot wound to each of their heads, laughter filling the backgrounds as if they were taunting her. The tears fell down her face, in both her dream and in reality, soaking her silk pillow.

The scenery change went by unnoticed until she was in front of a large tombstone, which only made everything worse.

'"Loving Memory of Adrian Marcel Sanchez and Milani Renee Sanchez. Forever soulmates"

"Loving memory of Malaysia Renee Sanchez, our beautiful daughter" she whispered lowly, it was her.

Jumping up from her sleep, she sat up wiping her tears. The nightmares were becoming too much for her, and her thoughts became cloudy. Getting up from the bed, she grabbed the Cyclobenzaprine from her counter throwing one in her mouth, taking a swig of the Hennessy from her dresser to wash it down, this was something she was using to go back to sleep so she wouldn't stay up all night thinking about the dream. Lose, lose situation.

Aubrey's smile grew thinking about Dave, "that's my baby" standing up she danced around the room as if there was music playing. She was at the first stages of overdosing, but she didn't have a clue.

"Wait a second" she sat down on the bed, Her head slowly started to fall, nodding off, she quickly lifted her head up "nope, nope. I'm up. You can't get me that fast muscle relaxer" she pointed her finger at the bottle sitting on the table. Her breathing got slower, and so did her heart rate. Without a clue, Aubrey was near death. The foam came from her mouth she laid there with her eyes closed.

She was going to be with her mommy and daddy. She wanted nothing more.

I'm going through hell,

and I just want my mother's love again,

want to run in her arms,

Come on home back, back to me.

"Aubrey baby, I'm back" Dave walked into Aubrey's room, wanting to do nothing more than cuddle with Aubrey. The trip felt like weeks, and the FaceTime calls between the two were getting old.

"AUBREY!" He panicked, rushing over to her he tried his best to do CPR on her, adding air into her lungs. Sitting her up, he shoved his finger down her throat "come on baby, don't do this please"

Hurling everything up, Aubrey let everything up. It was almost enough, she constantly went in and out. Picking her up bridal style he carried her to his car. Driving to the hospital. Slapping her face every so often. In hopes to keep her up.

She was gone. Dying in his passenger seat but he had faith. Reaching the Hospital, he rushed her in "SHE OVERDOSED!" He yelled, "Help her please?" He cried, doctors crowded him taking Aubrey away from him. The one thing that kept him sane.

I need you here,

Don't leave me on my own,

I want you home,

I need you close,

Right here in my arms,

So come on back,

To me.

————-

Has our short story ended? 🤔

Is chapter 13, the end of the road?

Is Aubrey dead & now this story really becomes about his NEW BALANCE, to help him get over Aubrey?

Was she my distraction for you guys?

Maybe. Maybe not. 😋

Find out in Chapter 14.

Will you be saying Bye to Aubrey and meeting Monica? - the Monica bitch ain't real.