Living Lifelessly

Chapter 7

                           Arthur

"Wine?"

Mom offers me as she sips her own. Mom, dad and I are sitting in the living room after the whole dinner thing is finally over.

"No thanks, besides I have a flight in an hour-"

"Flight? Don't tell me you're going back Arthur," mom leaves her wine glass and I can see the change of expression on her face.

Not now please!

"Uh.. you know-"

"No, I don't know anything," she jumps up from her seat. "All I know is that you are my son Arthur. You know that you are all we have now after Sean left but still you don't care because you are so busy in doing that shitty job of yours leaving your parents all alone here."

Mom fumes in anger. Dad tries to stop her but she is out of control.

"Let me tell you one thing, your parents need you more than those people you help out there but you don't understand it. But I won't allow it anymore. You have to resign and come back here."

I stand at my spot, trying to digest these bitter words.

"Honey, calm down-"

Dad jumps in, but mom pushes him away.

"No," she yells. "He has to understand this. We already lost Sean and now-"

"Enough mom," I finally feel my tongue functioning. "You know that Sean wanted this. This work that you are calling shitty is what Sean always dreamed of. But he-"

I try to swallow the lump in my throat, fighting back the tears that are threatening to fall any moment now.

"He didn't get to live those dreams."

That's it. Tears fall from my eyes as I choke back my sobs.

"You know mom, when he was on his death bed, I promised him. I promised him that I will fulfill his dreams. I assured him that I will throw away my own desires and I will work hard to live his life."

I wipe away my tears and breathe slowly for a minute to calm my nerves down.

"But you never appreciated it. Instead you've always degraded me. But it's okay, I guess you are too blinded by this luxurious life that you don't feel the pain of others."

I grab my phone, that is placed on the table behind.

"I am leaving and this time, I am never coming back."

Mom has tears in her eyes but she is looking everywhere else except me.

"Arthur stop-"

I can hear dad calling my name from behind but my feet don't stop.

Without looking back, I leave the mansion.
.
.
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"Welcome back Dr. Hart."

As soon as I step inside the hospital, I find Dr. Williams, standing with a wide grin on his face as if he was just waiting for my arrival.

"Uh... Thanks,"

I scratch the back of my neck, trying to avoid his burning gaze.

"Anyways," he sighs and takes a few steps forward. "Good luck for your 72 hour shift."

He leaves me standing here with my eyes wide open and jaw dropped.

Seriously! A fucking 72 hour shift. Don't I look like a human to him.