I cannot wait to give Chris my favorite stuffed animal, I thought as I embraced my teddy bear tight to my chest. I had to pick the perfect gift, and the pressure of finding something so sentimental was lifted to the angel's when I held my bear in my small hands. He was golden-brown and small. He was worn out, too, not soft like he used to be. A loose string hung from his eye; I didn't have the guts to cut it off. To me, he was perfect.

"You're going to a new home, Simon," I whispered beneath my breath.

I hoped Chris would like him. No, I prayed Chris would love him. Cherish him like I did. I cuddled with Simon every night as I fell asleep, suffering from bad dreams without him. I repeatedly tossed and turned if he was not by my side. I always carried him around the house. My partner in crime. He must have smelt just like me, being attached to my hip and all. The smell he radiated must not have been pleasant due to my lack of hygiene, but was still my scent nonetheless. It is safe to say that Simon was my best friend in a world full of hate.

"Gosh, you'll have so many stories to tell Chris when you see him," I said with a smile.

I hoped Chris would appreciate him. Parting from Simon was one of the most challenging decisions of my life at the time. It was tough being away from him, but Chris deserved him more.

"We are leaving soon," my dad said as he knocked on my ajar door to get my attention.

I took Simon and made my way outside to my grandma's van. I wiggled into the seat behind Nana, catching a whiff of her cherry blossom perfume. Her boyfriend at the time, Jed, sat in the passenger seat. My heart sank at the sight of him. None of us kids liked him, and we had good reason.

It didn't take long before we were driving to go see Chris. I gazed at the leather seat in front of me. It was covered in light brown dog fur; all the seats were. I could peek around the seat to see my grandma's veiny, petite hands resting on the wheel at 10 and 2. It was not long before I started to play with Simon. I knew I had to because it was my last chance, I had to create memories with him. I started talking to him, asking him questions like always. Using my imagination to create a world where we were different souls.

"Are you excited to see Chris again?" I spoke.

"Of course!"

It did not take much time before Jed got irritated toward me for talking to him. He was quick to raise his voice at us any chance he got. As the car rolled along the bumps of the freeway, I continued to squeak out words. I wasn't going to let Jed ruin this for me, not this time. No matter the amount of anger laced in his voice. I should have listened, though.

"Quit playing with that damn bear or I swear I'll throw it out the window!" he said, his deep, masculine voice invaded my innocent ears.

He wouldn't do that, I thought. I peered at my brother next to me, who just shrugged at the outburst. I felt a pinch of sadness as I looked at his red, swollen eyes. He was hurting. I turned my attention back to Simon. I needed to distract myself from the events of summer. Talking to Simon was my only way how. My only way to hide the same pain my brother was feeling, but I should have believed Jed. Before I knew it, he turned around in the passenger seat and yanked Simon from my delicate hands and threw him right out the window.