Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
The voices surrounding him distorted, only his heartbeat creating sound in his eardrums. He forced his brain to ignore the conversation around.
Angela Yak, the social worker the palliative care unit for his grandmother, sent her over to help the family to help understand her condition. But Troy did not need some soft, pity talking woman to help him understand that they will be burying her any day. He thought about that enough everyday since.
The other five; Tyson, Lotus, Gabe, Romeo, and Hendrix, were the only ones giving her a response—which the social worker noticed.
"What about you, Troy?" Angela asked, noticing him spaced out.
His brothers, sister, and cousin looked over at him.
"He.. Uhh, dealin' wit his own personal things." Tyson told Angela Sak about his identical twin.
"He just got outta rehab," Lotus added.
"Well damn. You just tellin' Bro business?" Gabe spoke up.
"Cause I want her to know he's not just some mute." Lotus defended, staring back to Angela. "He's only a few months clean. This could set him back."
"I know this about how we gonna deal wit her condition, but how do we help him too?" Romeo asked.
Troy finally came to after Romeo's question. "This shit for the birds, man." he said, lifting to his feet and walking away. He settled on another side of the house where he could be alone.
He slid down the brick home, sitting on the lush grass. His jaw tightened, as he pulled out his phone; straight the icon with the phone and the first contact he saw on the call log was Courtney's. He start to press her contact, but his thumb went to the keypad instead and instantly dialed the memorized number. He start to press the call button, but he stopped, his thumb hovering over the button.
His heart thumped even louder; panting. A decision floating in his brain; one against his better judgment and when his thumb hit the call out button, his choice was made. He exhaled and laid the phone on his ear. The longer it rang, the more antsy he became.
"Hello?"
His breathing stopped at her voice, listening close to the quiet background.
"Helllloo?"
His silence was loud.
She gasped softly. "Troy?"
Troy started to hang up, but she went on. "Troy... please talk to me."
He remained silent, dropping his head as he held the phone to his ear.
