A family copes with a family member who is left severely disabled after a near-drowning accident. It is especially hardest on the younger son, who was there when the accident took place.
I don't think I will ever get over "it".
I was there when Tybee fell into the pool. I saw it happen: heard his panicked screams, saw his flailing limbs, saw him go under the water, once, twice, thrice. Saw dad go into the pool, to rescue my brother, saw him drag his now-lifeless body out of the water, saw him start doing CPR on him, while he had mom call for the paramedics. Also saw the paramedics work to try to revive him.
Don't think I will ever forget this horror that clouds my memory over and over, like yesterday's leftover pizza. It keeps coming back, to haunt me.
I could have done something to help Tybee, to keep this from happening; as usual, I was afraid I'd do something wrong, so I didn't do a g.d. thing; because of me, my brother is no longer my brother. Oh, he's there, physically; he just can't do anything for himself because he was left severely and permanently brain damaged.
My brother has the I.Q. of vanilla pudding. He doesn't know who he is or where he is. He can't walk, can't talk, can't see, can't even feed himself; all he does is sit there in his wheelchair and make noises. He can't even go to the bathroom: he has to wear diapers, just like a baby. It's really depressing.
I blame myself. I think I caused him to become this way. Instead of getting involved, to where I could help him, I let him down. I let my family down. And I think they hate me for it. Mom and dad give me terrible looks or are always harping on me for the least little thing, even when I am trying my best. Nothing I do is good enough; everything revolves around Tybee, and I am sick of it!!
I wish Tybee had died in that near-drowning accident; maybe then the guilt would go away, and I wouldn't have to live with the horrible memories, or listen to my brother's shrieks, or watch my parents fawning all over him!! He can't do anything for himself; why are they playing all lovey-dovey with him?? It's me who they should be paying attention to, not my stupid veggie brother!!
I think I am going to end up going to live with grandma. Anything is better than what I have to put up here at home. I can't stand the guilt trips my family keeps putting on me; I can't stand the memories, and most of all, I can't stand the sight of my drooly, pimply-faced babylike brother sitting in his wheelchair, rocking back and forth like a moron!
Maybe it would have been better had Tybee drownded!
this poor child is running through the list from survivors guilt to jealousy. I look forward to another episode of this thread.
Hugs from your Florida friend, Kathy
That little boy needs now someone to teach him to not have a sense of guilt, because if left alone, that emotional weigh will be there for the rest of his life.
Karen, this is such a sad little boy. You bring our his emotions so well!I keep forgeting it is fiction and want to help him.I think that's the sign of a good writer. Thanks Karen.
Karen, you think and say that I'm able to play on emotions. Let me tell you something my friend from Texas, you sure know how to bring about emotions as well. What a sad story. You didn't say how old this child was when his brother fell in the pool. To feel this horrible guilt for the rest of his life. What a sad, sad extremely well written story.
Your friend from Southern California, Mark
Oh, this one wrenches the heart. This young person shouldn't blame themself for what happened; it was an accident. Things happen, not always good. Would talking to a counseler help? Now there you go: you got me believing these people are real. Very well penned, Karen, excellent. :(
A poignant story about letting go of a narcissist in your life. Have you ever been attacked FULL force by a narcissist? It's the closest thing to being stabbed over and over in the back.
A page-turning novel about a relationship between best friends that is interrupted because of betrayal , deceit, sexual promiscuity and pregnancy happens!
Rovella is a beautiful woman with a cold heart whom blames herself for an unfortunate old family secret that is literally ruining her life. This secret impedes a gorgeous woman from having happiness in her childhood, and throughout her life. Dark sec
