A Day In The Life of Jade

''Time Zone: -0, Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). At midnight EST, it is about 5 in the morning.''

"Hey, mum," Jade said to the cold headstone marking where her mother had been buried only two years ago. "How's the weather down there? Pretty cold out here. I don't get it, really. Ninth of June, you know. Can you tell the earth that it's okay to look at the sun every month or two? Thanks."

Jade paused. She'd never let anyone know it, but during these talks, she felt like she could actually hear her mother replying. Oh, Jade, I'm sure the earth won't listen to me.

"The earth WILL listen to you, mum. Everyone listens to you."

''Not EVERYONE, darling. ''

"Yes, everyone. Even dad listens to you. Remember? When I came out, you were the one who convinced him to let me stay at home. Of course, once you had your accident, he did kick me out."

''How is your father, anyway? Do you know?'''

"No, mum, I don't know. We don't speak, remember? He kicked me out of the house, remember?"

I hardly think snapping at me will do you any good.

"I'm sorry, but it's just--you KNOW this stuff, mom. I tell you everything."

''Speaking of that, how was your day? ''

"Right, right. That's actually why I came. I've had a hard day."

''Poor lamb. Tell me all about it.''

"It's just a whole bunch of little things, you know?"

''I understand entirely. Tell me more.''

"Well, for starters, I was woken up at five-fifteen this morning, on my day off, by my housemates violently going at it."

... Wow.

"Yeah, not a good start to the day. So after waiting four hours, I called my girlfriend, Ceilidh -- You remember Ceilidh, right?"

Of course I do!

"Right, well, Ceilidh. I called her because I was really bored. As it turns out, she was asleep. And she yelled. A lot."

Well, can you blame her?

"I know, I know, she's not a morning person, but she didn't have to yell at me."

Of course not, dear.

"Anyway, yeah, that wasn't so good. So today I just sort of... did nothing. I had hoped to see her today, but obviously I didn't... And I just sort of didn't do anything. I sat at home and read a little, checked Facebook... I feel so empty."

''Poor lamb. Well, don't worry. It'll all be better tomorrow.''

"You think so?"

''I know so. Now, what time is it?''

"Uh. About nine or ten?"

''You must be exhausted. Go home, and go to sleep.''

"Might as well," Jade sighed, standing up. "I'm dead tired."

I love you, Jade.

"I love you too, Mom..."

''That night, Jade dreams an odd dream of her body turning to light. She wonders if that is what her mother's soul is now. A body of pure light and warmth...''

---Prologues--&gt;

Chapter 1--&gt;