Who Wants To Live Forever...

My Life Has Been Saved - Part 4

This entire chapter will be in the voyeur POV.

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20th November 1987

London

"Dad...."  Robert called out as he tried to get his father's attention.  He noticed his father was staring into space.  He had seemed distracted all day.  Had been for days actually.  Robert stepped over and tapped his father on his arm.  "Dad..."  Robert repeated as his father seemed to come out of his daze and turn to look at him.

"What?"  John asked his oldest.

"We're ready to go."  Robert told him as he gestured at his brother and friend standing behind him at the arcade.

"Oh."  John responded.  "Right."  he said in an almost absent-minded manner as they all headed out of the arcade.  The boys pulling on their coats as they walked out to the carpark.  

"Don't forget we're taking Mick home."  Robert reminded his father as he produced the keys to his car and nodded.  Everyone got in the Volvo.

Robert noticed his father was quiet on the drive home.  Ignoring the radio being switched on and the boys all jamming out to Hysteria.  The new track from Def Leppard.  He did manage to remember to drop Mick off at his house before heading to their larger home a few blocks over. 

Dinner was the same.  Robert observed his father picking at his food.  Barely speaking without being asked something first.  His face almost sullen.  Robert was certain something was terribly wrong.  He then noted his mother also appearing quiet and pensive as he helped her clean up the dinner dishes.  It only confirmed his concerns.

"Mum..."  Robert finally said as he placed the last dish on the draining rack.

"Yes?" his mother responded as she turned to look at him.

"Is something the matter?"  he questioned.  "You and Dad both seem troubled about something."  he stated.  Wanting her to know he had noticed both of them acting strange.

 "Robert.  Your father and I have been dealing with a problem that is a bit grown up to discuss with you."  Ronnie told him honestly.

"I'm twelve now Mum! I'm hardly a kid anymore!"  he pointed out.  "I can deal with grown up problems." he said as Ronnie smiled at him.  Amused at his argument.

"You may not be a kid anymore but you're barely a teenager!"  she countered.  Taking note of the fact that her son was almost as tall as she was.   Still.  His height did not equate to the tall order of the burden her and her husband were dealing with.   

"Are you and Dad splitting up?"  Robert suddenly asked her directly.  Ronnie was taken aback by his question but realized that they had been acting strangely and children were apt to jump to conclusions.  She wanted to reassure him but also did not want to lie to him.  Not confident of their future right now.

"We are going through a bit of a rough patch."  Ronnie admitted in a low voice.  "I think me going away to my retreat will help.   We both have things we are working on."  she stated and hoped her son would understand what she was saying.

"You mean like Dad not drinking as much."  Robert astutely told her.  Ronnie had to admit she was impressed at how observant her eldest truly was.

"Yes."  Ronnie confirmed.  "He's trying to work on not drinking as much."  she said. 

"Mick's parents split up a few years ago."  Robert reminded his mother.  She was aware Robert's best friend had divorced parents.  Mick mainly living with his mother and his father had a flat in nearby Fulham.