" We're in hell, it's disguised as a paradise with flashing lights
I just wanna believe there's so much more ( hey, hey, hey )
It's way too late to save our souls, baby "
__________________________
AUBREY
2 years ago
April
"Hello? Dad?, mom?... Ava? Jayden?" I called out rolling my small carry-on into the house. "Wow the first time I'm back from college and this is how I'm greeted... great " I said out loud but the house seemed eerily quiet which was unusual for our family since it was many of us here. Too quiet actually. I left my suitcase beside the staircase and walked up slowly listening for anything but it was like the desert. I knocked on my parent's door and waited a minute before pushing the door open only finding the lights were off but the bathroom light was on.
I saw a dark figure laying down and I sighed heavily already knowing that it was mom meaning dad was in the bathroom.
"Mom?" I called out for her but she didn't move only confirming that she was sleeping, the bathroom door opened slowly letting the warm light, light up the bedroom and dad stepped out in a towel wrapped around his waist. He instantly made eye contact with me and smiled sadly, holding onto the towel tighter. But he smiled again wider, as his shoulders relaxed.
"I didn't know you were coming home today... I thought you were coming next week?" Dad said his voice in a whisper while coming close to me giving me a side hug despite him being damp, I nodded my head smiling seeing his mood instantly light up when he saw me. What has been happening since I've been gone? The vibe here is not what I expect to home to-
"Yeah but I finished my tests early. I was able to come home earlier..." My voice died down as dad walked inside his walk in closet and my feet were frozen by the door as I waited for him to come out again in joggers and a white tee.
"How's it been lately? How's mom, dad?" I asked earning a deep sigh and he walked around me opening the door and gesturing me to follow and I did following him downstairs into the kitchen.
"She had a rough night... we were up till three in the morning. She isn't doing great Aubrey and I'm trying to help her but I'm unsure on what to do at this point. I'm going to have to call her therapis because..." Dad paused taking a breath and I looked at him worriedly. My dad has never looked this worried ever since Jennie died showing me that this was something serious. His hand shook as he breathed in shakily like he was preparing himself.
"Because what?" I pushed wanting an answer and he ran his hand through his hair, and in a split second his eyes were red. "She tried to hurt herself last night... I found her with a razor. And if I was a second later... t-that would have been it, I don't know what else to do... I'm at a loss" Dad said his voice breaking as he took in deep breaths controlling his tears and I felt my heart beating out of my chest, taking in the information. No one mentioned anything to me, this can't be new- Mom must have been like this for months and I didn't know. I was kept in the dark.
"Yeah, you should talk to her therapist... you're not a professional to be handling her dad and she does need help if it got to this point. I know Jennie died two months ago but at least you tried" "I know princess, I'm working on it but for now don't say anything to her... Gaby just likes to stay in the room all day and I had to throw out anything sharp" I nodded my head taking that mental note to not bother her and I went around the kitchen island grabbing two colorful mugs and dad began the process of crushing the coffee beans.
