Why? Why do bad things happen to good people? Tina asked.

I honestly dont know, Tina. She sighed. He didnt deserve to die. I always say that parents shouldnt have to bury their children, but now Adam is gone. How is Julie?

As good as she can be. Its going to be hard for her for a long while I think, though… for everyone. Have you heard anything more from the accident?

Nothing. All they know was that his car hit a tree. It looks like the driver was drunk, though. Whether or not Adam was is uncertain, but the other three boys in the car lived. Only Adam was lost. Apparently his heart was punctured by one of his ribs. Died almost instantly. She shook her head. Mandys parents arent taking it well. Your father and I are helping with the funeral arrangements and hopefully Mandy and her sister can take care of them.

They are grieving, too mom.

I know. The whole thing is horrible.

Tina walked up to her old room and changed into her pajamas, not looking forward to tomorrow. She peered out the blinds and watched a man walk down the street. She realized then just how fragile life really was. He could trip and fall, breaking his neck and die right there on the sidewalk, she thought. It was then she understood that there were no guarantees in life and every day should be treated as the last. Nobody could prolong death and it takes its toll on anybody who it chooses to take.

She reached in her purse and took out her book, finding the photograph she placed there in the morning. Studying it, she saw her bright twelve year old face grinning in a birthday hat with Mandy sitting next to her, along with other friends. To her right was Julie sitting with Adam, thumb wrestling. Whoever took the picture never meant to include them in the photo, but there they were, almost clearer than Tina herself. His cheeks were rosy and he appeared to be fighting as best as he could to win. Judging by the look on Julies face, he was losing. Tina wanted to jump into that picture and be in that moment, a child again, where thumbs were being wrestled, instead of death.