Getting Through Life

Chapter 2: Personal matter

I'm currently in a taxi on my way home for some time now. Right now I'm on the phone with the trainers to tell them my parents died. They just said to hold on, and that they are getting someone. I was confused at first, until I figured they would probably get Gareth. However, by the time I got that, Gareth was already on the phone.

"Hello? Louise? They said that you were on the phone. Do you need something?", Gareth asked over the phone. Now I have to decide quickly whether I tell him myself or I say that everything is fine, by which the trainers will respond by just telling him themselves. I hate that I have to tell him like this, but I'd rather have him hear it from me.

"Look Gareth, I'm sorry I didn't say anything before and I hate to say it over the phone, but my parents died. I need to go home for a couple of days. I'm sorry but I promise that I'll be back soon, don't worry", I rambled to keep him from responding.

"Louise, how terrible! Since when do you know? Was that the reason today didn't go so well? Why didn't you say anything, you didn't have to come to training tod-", he bombarded me.

"Gareth, Gareth, look. It was my decision to not say anything. I've known since two days ago, when my brother called me. At first, I didn't want to acknowledge it just yet, but I can't leave my brothers to fend for themselves. I need to be there for them, so I can also handle the legal aspects. All I ask is for some privacy and three, maybe four days off if that's alright with you?", I answered him.

"Of course you can, no problem at all. Are you sure you'll be alright Louise? Do I need to send someone on the team to accompany you?", he asked again. He loves asking questions I think. Anyways, I'm happy he doesn't go into detail, I can't handle that now.

"I'll be alright Gareth, but thank you. Hey, my taxi driver just told me we're here. I have to hang up now. Do you need anything else from me right now?", I asked him, oblivious from the irony in that question.

"Did you just hear yourself? I should be asking you that!", Gareth chuckled, trying to keep humor in this conversation. It helped, which is yet another reason why I like him so much.

"Actually, can you tell the team I'll tell them the reason later in person for why I'm gone right now? I rather do it myself and in person, if you know what I mean", I told him. I know Gareth is a very understanding person, so I don't think this should be a problem.

"Of course, I'll just tell them it's a personal matter right now. Louise, please take care of yourself and don't hesitate one bit if you need anything, or just someone to talk to, alright?", Gareth ended the conversation.

"Thanks again Gareth, I really appreciate this!", I said my goodbyes and hung up the phone. I'm curious what will happen if I unlock my childhood door. My mom won't be there to glare at me. My dad won't be reading his newspaper in the couch. My brothers won't be annoying one another while screaming their heads off. For one split moment I thought about turning around and starting a new life, but I couldn't do that to them. I needed to step up, once again.

So, I unlocked the door and went inside. It was like there was this dark cloud hanging on to the ceiling. It was a grey atmosphere, especially in the living room. There were two empty spots now.

Then I spotted them. Noah and Felix were sitting in the other couch, almost on top of each other, because neither of them were willing to fill the empty spot our father left behind. I was sad, but I couldn't help to chuckle at the sight. They looked up and spotted me. I don't know who was the first to reach me, but we hugged each other for a very long time. Both of them were crying, but I needed to be strong for them.

"Where have you been! We called you like, a hundred times!", Noah was the first to let go and shouted at me. Shouting has always been his coping mechanism. I know this, because in that aspect, we are exactly the same. In a sense, this means when someone shouts at me, I most likely will answer by shouting back. However, this was my grieving brother we were talking about right now, so I changed my normal way of acting and took a breath.