Give Me Some Time

10

"Sara? I promised I won't play around and be naughty anymore. I'll change to be better." Noah said as he grips my hand tighter. We were standing in front of the morgue, a step away from others on the other side of the door.

"Why did you say that?" I asked.

"If father and Liam are really dead, then I have to step up and be stronger and wiser. That way, I can protect you and Mary." he said without blinking.

"Noah sweetie, listen to me. It's really nice of you to feel responsible for our family, but you're allowed to let your emotions out. It's okay to cry. You can cling to me if there's anything you want or troubling you. That goes to you too, Mary. Trust me, I know it's hard to accept this, but with all of my heart, I won't leave you guys. " I said, kneeling on the ground so that my eyes meet theirs. Mary hugged me and Noah still deciding.

I opened the door slowly, a few family already in there, crying over their losses. Till we passed by a body, its Jack's. I uncover the plastic from his face, what we saw gave me another punch of sadness.

Jack's body, laying coldly on the bed. His skin was ice cold and pale in colours. On his face, there's a small smile on his lips, made me wonder how someone can smile in their death?

"I read somewhere that when a person die, the muscles relaxed. So father smiling right now has nothing to do with how he felt right before he died." Mary said, she's touching Jack's cheeks.

"Yeah, I can't imagine what he must've feel at that time but in sure, he would want you to stop looking so sad." I pinched Mary's cheeks. She smiled. Her eyes seemed like glass as tears formed.

"While we are here, I wanna see Mr Joseph. Do you want to come with or stay here? " I asked.

They gave each other a look like they're talking with their minds and turn back to me. "We'll come with you." Noah said. I nodded and we walked to where the wards are. There, Joseph was laying on a bed, his two brothers are sitting next to him, talking.

Their conversation was interrupted with my presence. "Mr Joseph?" I called. He blinked at me and his eyes twitched.
"Is it a good time for a talk?"

"Yeah, private or no?" he asked.

"Any that's comfortable for you." I replied.

"Come sit, the kids too." one of his brother told me. I nodded and sit where they were sitting.

"May I know what happened?" I asked.

"Two days after boarding the cruise, rains start to pour. That night, the heaviest rain, waves became merciless, it turn the ship upside down. Before that, the captain had told us to made sure every important documents are to be waterproof-ed in case of leaking. I woke up to the thunder crashing every five minutes. Next to me, Jack were talking to Liam. It seemed so important than saving our belongings. Around 9pm, the crews had handed everyone a life jacket, they also had alerted the nearest dock, there were life boats coming to get ready for the impact. Everyone had gave a helping hand to do everything they could help. Children and elderly people were rescued first, Jack refused to board without Liam but while transferring ourselves to the lifeboats, the ship broke more and went upside down, very few people survived. Jack didn't drown, he had a heart attack. Liam did tried to save him but he fell into the sea. I was panicking and the broken door fell next to me, I had tried my best to keep Jack floating. What I never expected was Liam went missing, the life boats had to return to drop the survivors so I held on to Jack's body as long as I thought was forever. Jack was my best friend, I would never thought of it ending so quick yet the moment felt so long. I'm sorry for your losses, Sara. ". He stopped to wipe his eyes with a tissue.

" I felt so terrible, you lost two person of your life when you just arrived into the family. Believe me, I tried keeping Jack and Liam in my sights. I returned on the life boats for search and rescue but Liam was nowhere. A few people was floating around but I checked everywhere. Then the other rescuers had me gone back to tend my wounds. " he pointed.

"I believe that Jack would be so proud and thankful, as much as I am right now. Thank you for doing your best. Once you're feeling better, please come to my house. I would like to treat you to a dinner." I invited him. There was more things to discussed actually but not in front of the kids.

"Only Joe? How about us?" the brothers asked. I nodded.

"You're welcome too, now please rest well, I'll be going home." I replied and excused myself. Noah and Mary had heard everything that happened yet they doesn't overreacted. I hold their hands and walked to the carriage. Somebody had called for me before I stepped into the carriage.

"Miss Sara! Wait." one of Joseph's brother ran to my side.

"I'm sorry I haven't catch your names. Is there anything I can help? Mr?" I asked.

"Harvey, and the other one is Sebastian. Wait I'm very sorry that this incident happened to you, but I believe that me and my siblings can be of help if you need any hand to handle the other businesses or your family. We knew everything that you might needed." he said.

"That's very kind of you. Thank you, I'll give an invitation when I need you guys." I told him. It seemed like he was a little too proud of his brain. I nodded farewell to him and stepped into the carriage. Mary stared at Harvey till he was gone from our sights.

"Are you guys okay?"

"I'm glad. Father's death wasn't painful or long." Mary spoke, she had me and Noah turn. She realised what she just said and apologised. "I'm sorry! That wasn't what I meant. I was glad that Father didn't drown like the others as he died before the ship capsized."

"But Liam, he was an excellent swimmer. How can he not swim to the surface when he fell in the sea?" Noah asked.

"I'm sorry sweetie, everything that happened, I want you guys to take your time okay? We'll hold the funeral soon." I said, our house can be seen from the gate of the town.