One of a Kind

Chapter 9: Chad

Chadwyck or Chad, as he preferred, had never really like Jennifer. Neither Alex nor Jennifer could work out why he despised her so much.

Demi were awestruck when she stepped into the hall of their new home but Chad stared disapprovingly at Jennifer's small bump (she was pregnant with Charlotte when they moved in) and said to his dad 'who is that woman dad?' Jennifer smiled and Alex said 'this is Jennifer, she's my wife now' Demi smiled shyly at her and was eager to impress her new stepmother. She helped carry her bags upstairs and jumped up and down excitedly when she saw how big the room was that they were going I share. 'Thank you!' She screeched as she threw herself into Jennifer's arms, she was happy to feel her stepmothers arms wrapped warmly round her. Chad stomped up the stairs and into the room where the baby was going to sleep in. 'Why can't I sleep in here?' He protested as his dad carried his bags into the room where Demi was standing, 'that'swhere our baby needs to sleep' Alex explained, but Chad looked puzzled 'but it not born yet!' He was soon cut off by Demi, 'isn't it lovely? I love it, it's amazing! I've never had a room this big before!' She gabbled excitedly, 'it's alright' he shrugged jumping onto his bed and pulling his music player out of his pocket. 'Do you want some help unpacking?' Jennifer offered politely 'no' Chad snapped 'we're fine aren't we Dem?' Demi looked from her brother to Jennifer, she had always followed her brother but now she had had enough. 'I'd really like some help please Jennifer' she replied equally politely, happy to finally have a female figure who cared for her.

At lunchtime, Jennifer stood up and brushed her dusty hands on her jeans 'right, I'm going to start lunch now, do you two want to come down?' 'Yes!' Demi said and took Jennifer's hand 'no thanks' Chad said dismissively and went back to what he was doing 'not even if I make you anything you want?' 'Hmm, no'.

Demi sat in between the empty chairs for Jennifer and Chad so that he didn't have to sit where he didn't want to. She liked Jennifer and thought they were going to get on and couldn't imagine why her brother didn't like her before he even knew her. Jennifer served Alex his fry up and Demi her sandwich which she had lovingly cut into a heart shape. She stared at her own plate for a long time before she stood up and started making another sandwich; she then took a packet of crisps and left the room. When she came back Demi asked if he had taken it, 'hmm' she said with a nod 'but you would have thought I was trying to poison him!'

That night when everyone was in bed, Jennifer cried to Alex 'what have I done wrong?' and as he tried to comfort her Demi peeled her ear from the other side of the wall, 'you made her cry Chad!' She hissed across the room 'I hope you're pleased with yourself' she added before dramatically flopping down into her bed.

A few years later when they were 14, Chad was talking to his dad about what he wanted to do when he was older. The options fair the previous evening had gone very well, but Jennifer had the options evening at her own school and she was a little bit nervous. She had to do them every year but she was feeling unusually apprehensive about that night. Jennifer was talking to Demi at this time and asked her what she thought she wanted to do in the future, and Demi replied 'I think I want to be a beautician'. Jennifer thought it was a rather good idea as she was creative and loved meeting new people. Alex, on the other hand, was having a much harder time with Chad than he had expected. 'I don't know yet!' Chad shouted for the 20th time 'come on Chad' he encouraged gently 'what do you want to be?' 'Nothing' he snapped and Alex was taken aback by his tone 'now look' he replied sharply 'I am trying to help you, stop treating me like a pile of shit you find on your shoe and talk to me like a son should do' he sat back and folded his arms 'fine, you know what I want to be?' He retorted standing up, 'a soldier' and with that he slammed the chair back under the table and stormed upstairs. Demi and Jennifer heard him thump up the stairs and Demi stood up quickly and said she was going to calm him down; she went over to Jennifer and gave her a hug. 'Thanks mum' she called as she went out the door. It took Jennifer a few minutes to realise what Demi had said, and when she did she rushed into Alex who was writing on Chad's form, and excitedly told him that Demi had called her mum.

When he was 18, Chad was recruited to join the army and at 19 he went to his third mission in Afghanistan where many men were fighting. He was excited and proud to be serving his country but Jennifer and Alex had feelings of apprehension and worry. The day arrived when he was to travel to his destination and after saying goodbye to his father, he turned to Jennifer and gave her a letter marked with only her name and 'if I die' written neatly across the front. She held it to her chest and caught him in a hug, he felt a pang of guilt when he thought of Jennifer but he knew that of worse came to worse, the letter would spill out his feelings.

He was away fighting for a few years and returned one Christmas on a surprise visit.

Jennifer stood up as the doorbell rang and Alex followed, they expected more carol singers but when she opened the door to be greeted by Chad, they were all happy for him to be home. He was saving up his leave to come home for a few months later in the year but unfortunately it was not to be. A few weeks following his return to Afghanistan, an official looking letter came through the door. Jennifer's heart rate went up as she saw the official royal army stamp in the corner but Alex assumed it to be another letter. He opened the letter and started to read it but as he got further down the letter the smile slowly slipped from his face and he dropped the letter to the kitchen table. She stared at him, carefully trying to read his emotion, and the letter appeared to fall almost in slow motion. She cautiously picked it up from the smooth wooden surface and read it over.

'Dear Mr and Mrs Roberts,

We are sorry to inform you that your son Chadwyck Roberts has been killed in action.

He was a brave man who will be dearly missed. His body will be returned to Britain for burial shortly.

We are sorry for your loss'