Why Nickie Died

"Absence from those we love is self from self - a deadly banishment."
-William Shakespeare

***

Nickie sighed again as she waited for her mom on the couch.

Since last night, Nickie can't sleep because of the decision she made. She even felt jumpy, especially when her dad comes home every night, knwing she'd never consult him.

She felt her phone vibrate in her hands.

"Hello?', she answered.
"Honey? I'm only fifteen minutes away. Be prepared.", her mom replied.
"O-okay. J-just hurry up. O-okay?"
"Why are you so jumpy?"

She shut her phone. She waited for another fifteen minutes.

"Nickie?", her mom shouted from outside.
"Mom!" She immediately got up to meet her mom.
"Oh, it's so good to see you again!", her mom said as she hugged her tight.
"Oh, me too mom!"
"Here, let me help you.", Mrs. Jenkins offered when Nickie tried to put her heavy bags in the trunk.

Then they drove away from Nickie's dad.

***

"So, how far is this from my h-house?", Nickie asked.
"About an hour or so. Why?"
"N-nothing. J-just wondering."
"Why are you so jumpy?"
"What? N-no.", Nickie said as she opened another box of books and frames.

Mrs. Jenkins shot her a curious look.

"Okay. I didn't actually ask dad for permission to live with you. All he knows is that, you're gonna live here in New Jersey for a few months."
"What?!"

Nickie gave her an apologizing look.

"Mom, I'm sorry. I'm sorry I upset you all the time."

Mrs. Jenkins sighed.

Nickie's phone vibrated again.

"Hold on.", she said, pulling away from her mom's embrace.

"Hello? Nickie?", her dad said.

Then, Nickie sighed and shut the phone again before her dad can say anything else.