Finding Them [ON HOLD]

Chapter-6

Ira's pov

I woke up with a little headache. I slept late last night as I kept thinking about why Brandon would have the same pills that my sister had, especially because it was a drug. A kind of a drug my sister got addicted to, that made her leave her own home. Why was it with him?

That's all I thought about almost all night. I also thought about telling Stella, but I know she wouldn't listen. It would only create more boundaries between us.

I sighed as those thoughts started to linger in my head again. I finished my morning routine and went downstairs for breakfast.

In the dining room, Ray munched on his toast while staring at his phone, Dad was drinking his tea while reading the newspaper, and Mum was enjoying her eggs with her head dug into a magazine. I went in, sat on my chair, picked something to eat, and started eating silently. All those thoughts were still running through my head.

"Oh! Good morning sweetie, did you sleep well?" I snapped out of my thoughts as my mom asked me a question, finally noticing my presence.

"When did you get here?" Ray said, putting his phone aside.

"A few minutes ago," I told Ray, ignoring Mom's question as I am sure she could see the bags under my eyes. I also knew I would get caught if I said that I slept well, so I decided to keep silent.

Ray just hummed and went back to eating. After a while, my mom suddenly spoke.

"I am going to take the day after tomorrow off from work."

"Why?" I asked in confusion.

"To help you pack! You know you should start packing soon, if you want to leave in a week," she said brightly.

"When did she become so pleased and happy with me going?" I thought to myself.

"I know you must be wondering why your dad and I have suddenly started to approve of your decision. It's because we love you and your choices are what make you, 'you', so we have to love your choices too. Never ever think that if we don't approve of anything, we don't love you."

"Yes Ira, we care about you and want the best for you. We didn't approve of you going to Santa Cruz because we thought it would be dangerous for young women like you and Stella. But now, we think that this decision is good! Just take care of yourself," said Dad, standing up as he came to me and gave me a hug.

Soon, it became a family hug, with Mom and Ray joining in. But something is always missing in these. Rose.

"I miss her Paul!" Mom cried, suddenly pulling away and burying her face into her hands.

"I know, we all do. But we can not do anything to change the fact that she is gone. We know that we can not keep lying to ourselves that she will come back," said Dad, calmly patting Mom's back. But his eyes showed that he misses Rose more than anyone else does.

Her and Dad used to be really close. She was 'daddy's little girl'. He adored her more than he did anyone else. He was broken into pieces when she left like that; he wouldn't eat, talk, or even cry. He was just blank. But then he got a lot better. He stayed really strong.

Ray told me that he doesn't treat me like Rose. It's not to make me feel bad, but that Rose was really blessed to have him. Ray says he does that because he sees Rose in me. And if he gets closer, then he will lose it. It's scary how people can change dramatically, but nothing can be undone.