Falling | Charles Leclerc

2.

I sigh as I shut my laptop in frustration and slam close my textbook. "Why the hell did I apply for uni" I lean back in the chair at the kitchen table as Henry comes racing past me in his wheelchair "that bad huh?" He says taking his place at the table with a letter in hand.

"Just.. the assessments are so.. just. Agrh"

"Just agrh" Henry mocks me. I scrunch up a piece of paper that I had ripped from my notebook and throw it at Henry "what's the letter?" I ask as Henry lets out a small laugh. He raises the letter up and turns to me so I can read who the sender is.

"The genies" Henry says with a sad tone. "They normally only give letters if they can't make a wish.. can you open it" Henry slides it across the table to me. I open it and unfold the letter slowly and begin to read it out loud.. slowly realising that his wish was rejected.

"Dear Henry Simpson,

We regret to inform you that your request to fly to meet Lewis Hamilton has sadly been denied due to you not being fit to fly and a busy schedule on Mr Hamiltons side of things"

I take a breath and look up at Henry, he has tears running down his face.

"However" i say with a smile on her face "we are pleased to tell you that we have managed to secure  you 4 paddock passes, as well as a VIP experience with Lewis Hamilton in the upcoming Australia Grand Prix. We hope this brings you some joy and comfort even though we are not able to fly you to Vegas... woah hold on.. you asked them to fly you to Vegas for this?"

Henry looks at me with a smile "of course, go big or go home right?"

"Yeah but the genies are wish makers, not miracle workers, there was no way they were going to get you to Vegas not in your current condition H."

"I mean, it was worth a try. But either way, we are going to meet Lewis Hamilton, I need to call mum" he exclaims in excitement moving away from the table to go grab his phone from the other room.

I lay my head down on the table questioning my decision to study nursing.  I had only chosen it because I already acted like a nurse for Henry. I helped with catheter bag changes, helped with wound dressings and showering him. I did everything for my little brother, including driving him to appointments so their mum could work and keep a roof over their heads. I wouldn't change it though.

When i'm not studying or looking after the brother, I work at the zoo casually as a zoo keeper. I was once the head primate keeper, but had to step down when Henry got really sick again late last year. I still work with the primates, but not as much as I use to. I only work at the zoo once or twice a week as a distraction from the fact my brother is dying. I grab my book that is sitting next to me, quickly grab my phone and make my way outside.

It's a beautiful Summers day in Melbourne which is weird because the weather is normally terrible. I sit down on the outside chair in the garden and submerges myself into the book.

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"Summer" a familiar voice calls out for me in the distance. I must have fallen asleep in the garden. I look down at my legs and notice that they are quite red. Great... The last thing i need right now is a sunburn. I look at her phone and see the time.. I've been out here for 3 hours and I don't even remember falling asleep. I pick up the book off the ground that must have fallen while I slept.

Why didn't Henry come and get me earlier?

"Summer" the voice calls out again. "Adam hi" I say quickly standing up "when did you get here?"
"I flew back in this morning, just been trying to organise stuff at the office before coming back, no need to stress your mum out more" I nod giving my stepfather a small side hug.

"Did you fall asleep?" He questions looking at my very red face and I nod once again "come on chicky, you have to stop falling asleep out here. Or atleast wear sunscreen" Adam says with a laugh "what do you want for dinner?"

I shrug "is H eating with us? He hasn't been eating much lately, mum has been making his favourites but he's struggling Adam.. I don't know how much longer it will be before they have to put in a tube" Adam sighs "I know Sum, he's not well. I'm going to try and stay here as much as I can"

"What about work? You can't just stop travelling. You depend on that money"

"And ? My son is dying Sum. I know work is important, and it's always going to be there but my son will not" Adam says as he takes the book out of my hands "what shit are we reading this week? Finally moved on from Bridgerton?"

"Yup" Adam turns over the book "I think this is even worse than your Bridgerton stage.. vampire diaries. Really? I'm disappointed, couldn't pick something like.. I don't know"

"Like Alice in wonderland, brothers Grimm, huckleberry Finn?" I say back with a laugh, it was Adams turn to just shrug "you and your teenage fantasy's I swear Summer"

"I can start to watch them really loudly in the lounge room if you want" Adam instantly shakes his head "nooooooo.. no thanks, read away my sweet girl"

"To answer your dinner question, whatever you want to make. Make mums favourite I guess"