Scars | Johnny Cade Fanfic

16 - Father

Triggers: Swearing

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The hospital sent shivers down Tru's spine. She hated it there. Either it was the sight of people on their death bed saying their last words to their loved ones, or the fact that tension was spread out all across the building. She just didn't like the thought. Especially the fact that her own mother was there.

Tru and her father were sitting beside Florence who was in a hospital bed. Only family could be allowed in the room, which by the way, Tru thought was stupid. The hot tempered little girl would have been sure to tell the nurses that, but it just wasn't the time now. She had enough problems, and one of them was trying to get over the fact of her mother being bald.

The Trumen family sat there in silence while they heard the faint voice of Dallas outside in the hallway, screaming at one of the doctors to let him in. The rest of the gang members were sitting in the lobby.

David massaged his temples in frustration. He hated when he was vulnerable. Weak. When he couldn't control a situation. He would have traded anything. But not his wife. Not Florence. He couldn't loose her.

"Baby..." Mrs. Trumen asked her daughter in a hushed voice, looking over to her left. "Honey... don't cry."

Tru nodded, but as much as she tried to hide the tears, more kept coming to replace the old ones.

"Now..." Florence continued, still in that same hushed, calming voice. "I need you to do something for me. Can you do that?" When her daughter nodded eagerly, she started up again. "I need you and your brother to take care of each other. And take care of the gang too. You're a mature eleven year old, and I want you to make sure that he stays out of trouble for me."

Tru looked down at her fingers, slightly rocking back and forth. She knew her mother was talking about Dallas. Boy, she always was looking out for Dallas. "Okay, mom. I'll try."

David was now holding his wife's hand, trying to support her through the pain. "Also." Florence added, grabbing something from the table on the other side of her. She picked up a shiny, gold necklace. In the shape of a lock. "I want you to take this. To remember me by."

"Woah, woah, Mom. Remember you?" Tru's voice cracked at the end, looking up. "You aren't leaving me. You aren't leaving us. You aren't going anywhere."

The daughter and mother had a moment. Not a bonding moment, but not the type of 'fury' enemies have. They just had a moment- if that makes sense.

"All I'm saying is... just incase." Florence almost whispered. David teared up, but the expression on his face didn't change. It was still hard, and stern. Tru took the necklace, and held it in her hand. She would protect it with her life.

"Lay off, dumbass!" 

All three heads jerked around to see a thirteen year old boy slam the hospital door in a random doctor's face.

"Mrs. Mom!" Dallas yelled, running to his mother-figure. "You alright? They didn't hurt you did they? Damn doctors... Wait- why are you bald?"

"I'm fine, baby." Florence gave a chuckle that only she could do. The woman raised her pointer finger to the thirteen year old, motioning him to come closer. When the child did so, she whispered something in his ear so tender, that Tru couldn't even hear the mumbles.

Dallas nodded after, and only mouthed the word: "Promise."

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