Lilian awoke to a loud banging at the door .

Sleepily she crawled out of bed . Groggily walking to her closet and reaching for her robe . After putting it on she headed downstairs. “ I’m coming alright “ she hollered . Reaching the door she threw it open yawning . Standing before her were two cops one was short with black hair and the other was a tall blonde both good looking.

“ hello is Lillian Baker here ? “

“ Yes I am she “ Lillian responded

“ Ms. Baker your father was in an accident last night “ the tall cop said “ he didn’t make it I’m so sorry “ he added sadly

Lillian dropped to her knees as a yell escaped her throat her vision was blurry as tears poured out her heart was beating so fast she thought it would burst out of her chest . Her screams awoke her mother who came running down the stairs

“ Lillian baby’s what’s wrong ?” She saw the cops standing there saw the state of her daughter . Then she too collapsed screaming noo as she grabbed her daughter into her arms.

“ Mrs. Baker we need you to come to the police station and identify the body “ the short policeman said looking up Lillian made out his name tag through his he tears

Officer Ivanovich . Mrs. Baker slowly stood up “ yes of course officer just allow me to get dressed “ she said “ no worries Mrs baker we will wait for you in the car “ the tall policeman replied “ it wouldn’t be safe for you to drive in this condition “ he added

“ yes thank you very much I’ll be right down “ Mrs. Baker looked at the officers badge “ I won’t be long officer Cleveland “ she replied through tears . “ you should get dressed as well Lillian “ Mrs. Baker said pulling her daughter to her feet both of them scurried off to their rooms .

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At the morgue Lillian’s mother followed doctors to the morgue as Lillian waited impatiently. She felt nauseous waiting, hoping it wasn’t her dad. Praying that they made a mistake. After what felt like hours to Lillian , her mother Sierra finally walked into the waiting room . She looked as pale as a ghost her face was red from all the crying she looked broken . In that moment Lillian knew her father was dead and she felt numb . They didn’t talk the whole way home her mother practically ran into the house without another word .

“ thanks for the ride “ Lillian said to the kind officers “ no problem at all let me walk you to the door “ officer Cleveland replied getting out of the car . They walked quietly to the door . He pulled out his notebook and quickly scribbled something on it . Handing it Lillian he said “ there’s a few numbers on there the top one is a grief group the second is a grief counselor and the last one is my personal cell if you need to talk please reach out to someone.” He said “ thank you “ Lillian responded tucking the paper into her pocket and walking into the house closing the door behind here .

The next week went by in a blur Lillian stayed in bed ignoring her phone and laptop. She never even answered the door .

“ Lillian hunny I’m headed to work , are you going to school today? “ sierra asked

“ no not today mom “ she replied

“ sweet heart I said you don’t have to go to school until your ready but at least shower your starting to smell “ she answered “ and please call someone anyone but you need to talk to someone sweetie .” Her mother said as she walked out the door . Lillian dragged herself out of bed found some clothes and headed to the bathroom.

After her shower she stood at her phone for an hour.” Who should I call she asked herself? All of my friends are in class “ she saw the paper the officer gave her on the coffee table reaching for it she stared long and she’s at the the three numbers .

“ I’m not ready to go to a group or a counselor “ I don’t want to talk about it just yet she sighed . Officer Cleveland did say I could call anytime . “ just the. Her phone rang it it was her professor again

I guess I better answer before he drops me she thought

Clicking answer and lifting the phone to her ear “ hello professor Adam “ she said into the receiver

“ hi Lillian “ he exclaimed “ I was calling to check on you and see when we could expect you back we have finals Friday , I imagine you haven’t studied much though would you like to postpone your finals ? “ he asked

“ you can do that ? “ Lillian replied hopeful

“ yes I spoke with the dean this morning for approval “ he replied “ but I can only push it back by a week as he doesn’t want you starting the new semester to late “

“ yes I understand thank you so much, I will start studying and I’ll be back at school next week before the final “ Lillian and her professor talked for a while more he said would have her best friend bring her assignments and books by after class and then they hung up .

She had been avoiding Aria like everyone else so it would be good to see her but that’s wasn’t till 4 pm after her last class .

So without another thought Lillian called officer Cleveland

He answered almost immediately “ hello this is officer Cleveland what can I do for you ?” He asked

Lillian was silent wondering if she should be doing this

“ hello ? I’s anyone there ? His voice rang in her ears

“ uh yea it’s Lillian “ she replied shakily “ I’m sorry all my friends are in class and my moms thinks I should talk to someone “ she rambled on

“ Lillian hi! I’m glad you called don’t apologize I’m just headed for some lunch would you care to join ? “ he asked

“ yes I would love to actually I haven’t eaten much lately “ she replied

“ be there in fifteen minutes “ he replied