Marlene
I knew the call was urgent when it came at 6:00am on Saturday morning. Mark and I were all set to lie in for a couple hours and relax but the phone rang and I jumped out of bed. "Mark! The phone" I said, a little frazzled because when the phone rings at 6 am on a Saturday morning, it gives you an almighty shock. "Hmmm" Mark groaned, rolling over onto his stomach. I ran across the floor, in bare-feet into the kitchen where the phone was hanging on the wall. I wiped a hair off my forehead and picked the phone up hurriedly. "Hello?". "Marlene? It's your Dad", Dad said said down the phone to me. "Dad? Why are you calling so early? I s something wrong?" I asked, him with an air of panic in my voice. "Don't worry petal, we just have a small problem with Mum. Shes ill again, Marlene" he told me. My knees started to buckle and I had to sit down. "Don't worry love, it'll be alright, she just wants you girls home to take care of her for a week. A week Marlene, that's all. I know it might be hard for you to get off work but she really wants you there-" Dad carried on. I interrupted him. "I'm there. Whatever she needs, whenever she needs it, I'll be there. I'm going to help" I said, trying to sound alot more confident that I actually felt. Dad let out a little happy sob. "Thank you so much. Marlene, this means so much to your mother and I, especially when you and Mark are just settling into your new home together...I hope he can make it for a few days as well" Dad said to me. I coughed. It might be a little more difficult for Mark to get off work. "Em...I'll ask him Dad" I sighed. "That's my girl. Come home soon, Mar" he sighed. "Bye Dad".
I didn't have the stomach to go back into the bedroom to Mark. I paced around the kitchen for half an hour until I finally switched on the kettle. I heard some light footsteps and then Mark hugged my from behind, making me jump out of my skin with fright. "Hey, hey! Whats wrong Mar?" he said to me. I shake my head and look away from him. "Tell me, please" he smiles at me kindly. I fall apart and let my head fall onto his shoulder. I make his t-shirt all wet and snotty from the tears but he doesn't complain. He just lets me stay like that for as long as I have to. When I finally stop sobbing he looks me in the eye. "Now do you wanna tell me whats going on?" he asks me. I bite my lip. "Its Mum. She's sick again. And I have to go back home to take care of her" I tell him. He nods understandingly. "Thats ok. We'll manage". I start crying again then, because he's being so nice about all of this. "You're the best fiance in the world" I smile at him. He smiles back at me, making my melt into his arms again. We make coffee and sit at the table and talk. "So, do you want me to come with you?" Mark asks me. I think. He's not going to be able to get off work but what if he can? "You don't have to. Olivia and Gracie will be there as well" I tell him. He puts his hand on top of mine. "Yeah but they're not your crazy in love fiance are they?" he grins. "I would love you to come but what about work? You don't get time off until August. Its still only the end of May" I sigh. He shakes his head. "I'll figure something out. I'll be there for you. Even if its only for a few days, I'll be there" he assures me. I nod understanding everything he's saying.
I email Olivia later that afternoon. Dear Liv,
You've probably got Dads call by now and knowing you, you're probably freaking out about it! I just want you to know that I'm there as well. I've got time off work, Mark and I are going to stay in the summer home for a couple of days and then he'll fly back to New York for work and I'll stay with mom. It's probably really scary for you right now, but I know that things will be okay. I'm your older sister and I will be there for you when you need me. Love and Kisses, Your sis, Marlene xx.
