Prologue.

Nine thirty AM, Tuesday May twenty-fifth.

Anthony.

….

I walked into the church, keeping my head down as I slid into the back pew. I glanced up at the light purple casket on display with pictures of my Mama and purple bluebells, her favorite flower, behind it.

I looked down at the bible in my hand.

Mama gave me this when I was twelve years old. It was her bible, one with all her favorite scriptures in highlighter.

"Ellie Jones was a magnificent woman; she had a wonderful spirit about her, always volunteering around the town, could talk to anyone as if she'd known 'em her whole life, just a really great woman." Reverend John nodded, looking over at my sister, who's standing next to him. "Her daughter Rebecca has a few words to say, Rebecca." He nodded for her to start.

Rebecca took Reverend John's spot.

I looked up at my twin sister, tears blurring my vision.

"My Mama," Rebecca took a deep breath. "My Mama was wonderful. She understood me better than I understand myself, and," She paused, looking straight at me, into my eyes. "I can honestly say that, I know a person that completely agrees with me."

Rebecca walked back to her seat and Reverend John filled her spot. Amazing Grace started playing, Mama's favorite song.

"Through the cycle of a lifetime, I believe, we all lose someone important. Whether it is a mother, a sibling, or a husband or wife, we all lose someone. And, Ellie, she was someone important to all of us." Reverend John looked over at Mama's older brother and sister, Uncle Sam and my legal guardian, Aunt Mary. "A sister we were once protective of," Reverend John looked over at Rebecca and Jason sitting in the front pew. "A mother and sometimes, a second mother," Reverend John looked over to Mama's college friends, Monica and Francine. "An old college friend that we'd look over pictures and remember," Reverend John and I locked eyes for the first time since I walked in.

He took a deep breath. "Sometimes, the same person,"

"Ellie was a friend to all of us, and I think I speak for everyone when I say, she will not be forgotten."

….

Eight thirty PM, Tuesday May twenty-fifth.

Anthony.

….

I sighed, packing the rest of my clothes in my suitcase, fighting back the tears that were forming in my eyes.

"You okay kid?" Aunt Mary asked

I nodded.

"I'm fine," I told her, my tone defeated

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure,"

"Well, do you wanna grab something to eat before we head out? I'm kinda hungry." She wondered

"Sure, sound great."

"Burgers okay?"

I nodded, not turning to look at her.

Aunt Mary sighed, walking over to me and putting her hand on my shoulder.

"I know it's hard, but, we can't let this bog us down. We have to move on."

How can I? I lost my Mama, the only one in the universe that really understood me.

"You're right," I nodded, putting on a fake smile. "We have to move on."

"Good," She patted me on the back. "You stay here and I'll go down and get us some food. Then we can eat and head back up to Georgia."

I nodded, the fake smile not leaving my face.

Aunt Mary left and I finished my packing a moment later.

I pulled out the necklace with the dog-tag picture of Mama and me.

"I miss you Mama," I single tear ran down my face.

A/N: Hello my wonderful readers! This, if you may have noticed, is the book of what happened before Rebecca and Jason went to Georgia. A prequel story really. This is just the prologue, so, not much to say other than, how do you like it?