Christmas Morning 1987

I didn't sleep a wink.
I was so excited for the presents.
I couldnt wait to open them,
Four O'clock in the morning,
I snuck out to see if Santa had brought me lots of toys,
and if I was a good girl or not.
But you know, of course there were presents.
I hadn't done anything wrong, well from what I can remember.
Finally it was eight o'clock, now I could wake up Mom and Dad,
so I could open all my presents.
I ran to the door, and knocked. No sound.
I knocked again, yelling for them to wake up.
Still, no sound.
Not thinking I went to back to the living room and started to
shake my presents to see if I could figure out what they were.
Ten O'clock, still no one waking up.
"My presents are going to be opened at one, If they don't want to wake
up and see me open them, then I will open them by myself." I thought.
Running to the door, I knocked once again, yelling for them to wake up.
My eight year old mind didn't comprehend that their was anything wrong.
I just thought they were in a deep sleep and couldn't wake up.
Of course I never opened the door. I had learned that rule last year.
I had knocked and knocked and they didn't wake up, so I opened the door,
and they yelled at me to come back later. Of course this was at five in
the morning, but they told me never to do it again.
It was forbidden, only if I had permission, I could go in.
Around 12:30, I finally decided that I should eat something, and
then open my presents. Grabbing a bowl of cereal and milk. I sat down
at the table and chewed slowly, trying to make the time go by faster.
After eating I walked over to our big tree, with all the presents.
I grabbed my first present.

To: Lesley
From: Santa

It was a Raggidy Ann Doll. I always wanted one. Hugging it, I grabbed the
next present. Except it slipped from my hands. Something dark red was on it
and it was all over my fingers. Not thinking, agian, I opened it to find
a game of Clue! I loved this game, and I alwayz wanted it. Even though
I was only 8, I was smart with games, and not so smart with other things.
After finishing my presents I stood outside Mom and Dads room and yelled
"Thanks" from the top of my lungs. Still, they didn't wake up.
Five O'clock. My grandparents came over. Hugging them, they
asked where Mom and dad were.
"There sleeping" I said grabbing grandma's hand to show her all
my presents I got.
"Why aren't your parents presents opened dear?" She asked.
"Because they never got up to open them grandma" I answered.
"Oh" she said, getting up from the couch and walking her way to
my parents bedroom and knocking. Of course no one said anything, no sound.
Knocking again she slowly opened the door. I have enver seen my grandma
make that face, or scream that loud. I giggled at the face and asked why
she had screamed like that. She grew pale white and couldn't even talk.
Slowly closing the door she ran to grandpa and barried her head into his
shoulder. He pushed her away and ran to the door, and bashed it open.
I only sat at the table, wondering what happened, and everyone was
freaking out.
"Beth, call 911. NOW!" Grandpa yelled.
They both ran to the phone in the living room. I slowly got up and crept
my way to the door. My Mom and Dad covered in like a dark red ink. It also
smelled really badly. I walked and crawled onto the bed. Touching and
shaking there hands. It was cold. They were cold. "What is wrong with them?
Why won't they wake up? Why are they so cold?" I thought.
Slowly crawling off the bed I walked back into the living room
and sat on the couch. My hands and clothes red, and I still didn't know
what was going on.
A couple minutes later my grandmother walked in and told me to go to
my room, and to pack and change. I found this confusing. "Why am I leaving?"
I got no response, and left to go pack.
I heard sirens going off, running to my window, I wondered were they
were stopping. Strangely, they stopped and knocked on our door. Running,
I went to the door and opened it first.
"Is this the Gardy residence?" A man in a big red suit asked.
"Yes" I said, opening the door more so they could walk in.
So many people came in. They all ran into my parents bedroom and came
back out. A crowd grew outside. I only sat on the couch in confusion.
Two large black bags came out about twenty minutes later. I asked one of
the fireman what was happening. But only a tear fell down his cheek as he
walked off.
"Won't anyone tell me what they are doing here and why my parents
won't come and talk to me?" I thought.
Some time later my grandma walked over to me. Her face now beat red.
She had been crying. I could tell.
"Why have you been crying grandma?"
"Lesley, dear, I'm sorry to tell you this, but, your parents have
been killed darling.Your parents are now in heaven. I'm sorry to tell
you so late, but things have been so fast.
"Are they happy?" I asked.
"Yes" She said hugging me, grasping my hand and leading me out
the door.
"What's killed?" I thought getting in the car, still hearing
the siren off in the distance.