When We Fall

Chapter 15

                                                                         N O V E M B E R

Snow hit Creeksbound faster than a twister could take down a house. The plains and rooftops of houses were blanketed in an icy sheet that glistened under the sun. Children were bundled up and building igloos and snowmen all over the white fields, and trade in town came to a screeching halt as the snow blocked up every imaginable route. In other words, the children were thriving and adults were suffering. 

On one particular blistery evening, Henry had just come into his house from the blizzard, all bundled up and carrying chopped woods in his arms. When he entered, the sound of wind that had been stinging his ears was now replaced by the sound of a wet cough. His father was slumped on the single sofa in the middle of the living room, facing the hearth. He was covered neck to toe in blankets and had a wet cloth covering his forehead. In the past couple of weeks since he had gotten sick, there had been no signs of the symptoms slowing down. Henry wasn't completely concerned, because he knew his father was tough and had gotten over many illnesses such as these, but the lengthy bedrest he had been on was the most alarming. 

In a way Henry was glad his father wasn't at his full strength to punish him when he made mistakes, but though he detested his father's abuse he knew life would be hard without him. He would have to get a real job, maybe multiple, and perhaps even quit school. It wasn't a rare thought for him to wonder what life without his father would be like, since it was something he often would dream about. He was still aware, though, it wouldn't be much a dream without his father's income. 

"Hen-" Mr. Halred's voice began at a raised volume, but lowered after he experienced another whooping cough. "Henry, get those logs on there quick. This house is like an ice box." Henry silently knelt beside the fireplace and stacked a couple more logs over the dying fire. Once it licked the newly placed wood it was only a matter of seconds before the room was relit by a bright yellow warmth. Henry watched the fire dance over the wood as he felt the heat wash over his frostbit face. Despite the coughing in the background, his world was quiet. He didn't have much to think about. 

Henry's days had been blurring together since the engagement - it was school, then work, then chores, then taking care of his father, and then even more school. Truth be told, he was tired. And bored. And most of all, lonely. He had a few schoolyard friends, the Marlows from time to time, and his father didn't count as companionship at all. Kitty was nice to talk to sometimes, but she stressed him out with all the wedding talk and concerns about their future together and he could barely talk to Leigh without her picking an argument. In a sort of way Henry felt like he had no one. No one he would truly rely on. Kitty wanted him to rely on her, but he couldn't. They didn't have the right connection. In all honesty he thought there was nobody in his life who he had the right connection with. 

Knock, knock. 

A sound came from the door. Henry turned back and stared at it, surprised as he could be. No one ever came to their house, and especially not in the midst of a snow storm. For a moment he stayed still, wondering if it was just the wind making weird noises, until it came again and louder. 

"Are you going to answer the door or sit there like a useless mutt!?" Mr. Halred said angrily from his sofa, covering his ears as if the knocking was too much. Henry got to his feet and answered the door. Outside was not at all who he expected. 

"Hello Henry!" Kitty Marlow. She was dressed in a pink warm coat and matching ear muffs, with a dainty little basket in her hands. Against the contrast of the bleary outdoors she was like a light shining in the door. 

"K-Kitty," Henry stuttered. No, no, no, she can't be here. She can't see me or my dad like this - what if she already heard him yelling at me? He tried to remain calm and he opened the door wider to let her in. "Come in," Kitty stepped in his empty, dark house with a little skip in her step while her eyes were ablaze in curiosity looking around the room. It was her first time there. "Sorry, I didn't expect you at this hour, or-" he looked out at the storm. "this condition."