right where you left me

Chapter 41 - Be Here

BROTHER AND MOTHER ARRESTED FOR DEATH OF MICHAEL JONES, TIPPAH JONES TO TESTIFY?

The headline lined all newspapers as I walked along the London streets edging to get back home. I decided to walk from the tube, after arriving back in Heathrow. I could've had a car but I decided against it. I always loved feeling the disgustingly humid air of the Picadilly Line on my face as it reminded me of the place I now loved more than I could've imagined possible. Although the seats are old, and most likely filled with years worth of grime, it felt somewhat comforting. To be back where everything felt right; everything was settled. I was just Tipp, not Tippah Jones, the daughter of the murdered. I was the number 18 for Arsenal, not the girl who just turned in her own family to the police. I was just me.

As I walked through the door to the apartment, I knew Leah wouldn't be there. She was still in training, preparing for the upcoming games before the February international break. England was set to play in another Arnold Clark Cup, and the Aussie girls were hosting the Cup of Nations back home. I had already told Tony that I would be out until at least the April break, but most likely not. He understood, telling me that as long as I was fit, there was no way I wouldn't be making that World Cup squad, which filled me with a little relief. After the disaster that was the Asian Cup, I think I needed the Tillies just as much as they needed me.

I fell onto the couch, mindlessly scrolling through the news trying to see what was being said.

TIPPAH JONES BRINGS FATHER TO JUSTICE; BROTHER AND MOTHER ARRESTED?

Tippah Jones was seen leaving the Police Station in Sydney's CBD early Friday morning, and not soon after the police commissioner released the statement informing the public that Finnigan Jones and Priscilla Jones had both been arrested on suspicion of murder (in the second degree.)

Tippah, star footballer for the Matildas and Arsenal, had already left Sydney by the evening, arriving back in London to continue her rehab on her tibia fracture.

The actual circumstances surrounding the statement from Tippah Jones to the police remains unclear, with the exact understanding of how Tippah gained knowledge of this information unknown. However, the evidence from police suggests that it was sufficient enough to make an arrest.

Finnigan Jones was charged with second-degree murder.

Priscilla Jones was charged with conspiracy to murder.

Both were not released with bail and are set to face court later this month to determine pleas.

I breathed in and out. In and out.

Then my phone rang.

"Hi," I said, as I answered the ringing sound.

"Hey," Ellie answered. "How are you?"

"I could be doing better," I laughed slightly, knowing I shouldn't but finding it hard not to.

"It's okay. You did well."

"Thanks," I replied.

"Did they ask how you knew?" I knew that would be something they would ask me. How did I know and why did I not say something any earlier? They were both valid questions. Too valid.

"I told them the truth. I had been an alcoholic for a long time, and I found out when I was too drunk to remember my own thoughts. I confided in someone, and it all went from there. I think that if I was their only evidence, it wouldn't have been enough for an arrest. But as they had already been building a case against Finn and Mum, it made it easier for them. It was kind of the icing on the cake." I hated myself for it. For all of it. But, I couldn't lie.

"Well, does it feel like some sort of weight has been lifted off?" Ellie asked.

"Kinda."

"What are you thinking?" she asked.

"How are they ever going to forgive me?" I said, some tears forming in my eyelids.

"I think the bigger question is, Tipp, how are you going to forgive yourself?" Ellie consoled me for a few more moments until I heard the keys jingle in the door and Leah came through. As I saw her, she looked straight back at me, seeing the puffy eyes that inhabited my face. My cheeks were splotchy and my eyes were soon bloodshot. She came over to me, wrapping her arms around my body and holding me tight. She didn't say much. Nothing at all in fact. She just held me; protected me.

"You're here," she soon said, comforting me. "And you don't have to go anywhere, again."

I spent the next few days stuck in the apartment. I gave Leah my phone as to make sure I wasn't scrolling the internet, checking every single website to see how I was being portrayed. I was scared the world was going to hate me just as much as I hated myself.

The problem with this whole experience was I still didn't think they were guilty. I knew they were, physically. They did it. I knew that.

But, there is always context, to everything. There is always reasoning as to why people do the things they do. I just hoped, more than anything, that when the trial did happen, that context would be the driving force to get them acquitted. But I could never be too sure.

"Some random number texted you," Leah said, as she got home from one of the games I purposefully missed. I knew I would have to go next week; it was necessary. I had missed too many now and I was starting to look like a very bad teammate.

"What's the area code?" I asked.

"Not sure," Leah replied. "You think I know what area code each country has? But it's +49."

"That's my sister," I answered, laughing. "Pass here; I'll give her a ring."

Leah handed me my phone, and I soon saw an array of messages from Eden, all talking about the trial, and the information that would come alongside it.

"Hallo, das Telefon meiner Freundin," the person said, as they picked up the phone after I rang it twice. It was definitely not Eden on the other end of the line. And I couldn't speak what I assumed to be German either so my confusion level was at an all time high. 

"Um, is Eden there?" I asked. The person didn't say anything for a few seconds, but I heard some mumbling.

The phone was soon taken, and I heard the familiar Australian accent on the other line.

"Tipp?" Eden said, answering the phone.

"Who was that?" I asked.

"Don't worry," she replied. "Why haven't you been answering your texts?" She sounded angry; I would be too. I had been completely MIA. The only person I had seen was Leah, and even with her, we didn't talk much.

"I've been in my own little world," I replied.

"Well, I wanted to see if you would come to Germany, for a few days. Spend some time with me? I know you're injured and- I think it would be good for you, Tipp." I contemplated her offer. I knew I had responsibilities here, but to get away couldn't be so bad, could it?

"Um-"

"It'll be fun. You can be here with me; see what my life is like; maybe meet some of my friends. Please Tipp? And then maybe we can talk; get all the Sydney shit out of our head." I didn't say anything for a moment before I suddenly breathed and answered, knowing what my heart wanted and what my mind needed.

"You know what, fuck it. Why not? I'll be there in a few days."

"Perfect. It'll be fun, Tipp. I promise."

I hung up the phone, before turning around to Leah.

"Babe," I said to her, as she was preparing some plain pasta to eat as a mid-afternoon snack.

"Yah?"

"I'm off to Germany," I laughed.

"Okay?" Leah asked, confused. "May I ask why?"

"To spend some time with Family."