text: The day was young. The sky was dim and overcast, much like an old antenna TV that couldn't find a signal. The snow begins to let down, accumulating pretty quick. Ryan was on his way home from college for winter break. He was so excited, he'd just managed to get this new game his brother Luke had been dying to play, for him. With Christmas coming, gifts in his back seat he was ready to go home and forget school for winter break. As many have learned, sometimes events don't pan out quite how we expect, and this is no different for Ryan. The snow kept coming, changing to icy hail. Ryan's car wasn't exactly the safest on the road and was pretty well... 'used'. And like any other day with it, something went wrong. Only this time it wasn't a check engine light that stalled his car, it wasn't the heat stopped working. No, this time his wiper malfunctioned. Snow piling up fast, he starts to slow down. Perhaps this would have worked if he had only replaced his breaks last month as he intended. His speed declines but in not with any haste . Banging on the windshield trying to get the wipers moving again, he finally has success, if only it had happened half a second sooner. The wipers move only to reveal a tree branch piercing his windshield. A large crash is heard throughout the streets. Ryan's airbags deploy, forcing him back into his seat . The neighbors come rushing out to the scene, Each one of them dialing 911. It wasn't long before an ambulance and fire truck showed up tearing the car apart to free him. Ryan flowing in and out of consciousness only remembers glimpses of the event. He gets put on a gurney and rushed to the nearest hospital. By the time he reached the hospital Ryan was out cold. He doesn't remember much after that, just that whatever they did felt like they poured ice into his veins, all to almost immediately feel like he's been sent through the gates burning gates of hell. Maybe it was PTSD that caused Ryan to change, maybe some brain damage, but the next thing Ryan remembers is being surrounded by family and friends. He mostly kept to himself, and wouldn't utter a word to anyone. Not to mention that after the accident he couldn't move without help. It was seldom that Ryan would leave the living room, and only went places when his family absolutely forced him to go. Really though he was quite content doing nothing sitting in the living room, just knowing he was surrounded by family. Even if he didn't show it. After a few weeks of him being home the contents of the car came back. The Christmas gifts seemed in perfect condition, and Ryan hoped so much these would put a smile on his family's face. Ever since his accident the house seemed kind of glum. First his mother; A pair of earrings in the shape of a snowman. It doesn't seem like much but his mother had always been obsessed with winter. She loved the crisp and cold air, and coming inside for hot chocolate with extra whipped cream. It was all around her favorite season. Before she even knew it she put them on, looked at her boy and said "Thank you Ryan. I love them" her eyes mist over as her boy remains emotionless. His father was next; a new fishing pole. During the summer the two of them would go out to the lake on a small boat, and go fishing. Those were some of Ryan's fondest memories. He absolutely loved the serenity the lake brought. His father started to tear up. "Your mother and I were talking about going up to the lake this year. We thought you'd like it. We thought.... I don't know. We just thought you might enjoy going out to the lake again." To which again Ryan showed no change. Maybe the next gift, the one he was so excited to give would change that. Ryan and Luke were really close before he left for college and this was his attempt to rekindle that. The game he was so excited to share, it had been sold out everywhere. There was a note inside the wrapping 'Hey, I know we havent gamed much since I left but I got 2 copies! Just shoot me a message and we can play!' Luke started to laugh and cry all at the same time and looks right at Ryan. "Yeah we gonna play this now? You havent moved in weeks! Go ahead and pick up a controller!" Luke scoffs storming out of the room. The weather begins to turn from what his mother used to consider a winter paradise to a more tepid heat. Perfect fishing weather. Sure it's a little brisk but that never stopped Ryan and his father from going fishing before why should it now? Ryan's mother makes a nice little picnic set up, his father grabs his new pole that his son got for him, and Luke helps Ryan into the car. Not much chatter on the way there, but they did listen to the new CD Luke got for his brother for Christmas. . The lake was quiet, serene and oh what a view. The sunrise perfectly reflected on the lake front showcasing it's beautiful orange sky. The mother puts out some sandwiches that she made earlier and the father casts his line out, just like the old days. For the first time in a while you could see the family actually enjoying themselves. Spending a day out together was definitely something they needed. But like a days even this one must come to an end. The sun had begin to set. The family all gathered round and hugged each other. "Guess this is where we say goodbye huh.." Luke says in tears "I'm really gonna miss you bro" his father opens the receptical containing Ryan's ashes. "Goodbye son" his parents barely manage to says as his father allows the ashes to float away in the wind.