I casually strolled down the road that led to the park. It was Sunday and as all other Sundays since a few months back I was going to meet with my father in the park.
As I arrived I saw my father sitting at our usual bench, reading a newspaper. He was wearing a casual pair of blue jeans, a white sweater and a black jacket. His glasses were far down the bridge of his nose, as he always wore them when he was reading. Suddenly, he looked up and noticed me just as I reached the bench.
-Juliette, honey! Just in time, how are you darling? He asked as he stood up and gave me a hug.
-Hi dad, I'm alright. How are things at home? I asked and felt the all too familiar lump in my stomach grow, a mix between anger and homesickness. I felt my fists tense up a bit.
-Well.. It's good. Your mother is having one of her garden parties next weekend and she's already started to plan it. And I'm, well I'm good too, tomorrow I'm going on another business trip for a few days. But I miss you at home, sweet pea. Are you sure you don't want to meet us halfway and agree to our preposition? It would make everything easier, he explained, almost begging at the end but with a stern look in his eyes.
-Dad, no! You know I can't be in that house after the accident. Certainly not with two parents who kicked their own daughter out. I won't meet you halfway cause I will never go to any rehab center, I don't need it! I harshly said with my voice raised, feeling a sudden anger rushing through my body. Now my fists were clenched all the way and I could feel my nails dig into the palms of my hands.
-Juliette, you do need a rehab center since me and your mother can't make it better and you don't have the inner strength to quit drugs and drinking. You've proven that yourself and you just need to realise that it's okay to be sad and broken down, as long as you can accept the help given to you, he continued with a softer look in his eyes, probably careful to upset me even more. He failed.
-That's bullshit and you know it! First of all, stop treating me like a little girl, I'm turning twenty this year. And second of all, my little brother, your god damn son, died less than a fucking year ago, so give me some time to grieve and be irrational! It seems like you don't even care about what happened to Aidan anymore, or me for that matter. Hate to remind you but you were the one that kicked out the only child you have left! I screamed at him. I know that last part really hurt him, but it's hard to control myself when I get like this.
-But.. Juliette.. We've talked about this, we do care about you, your mother just couldn't tolerate the drugs, he tried to explain, now with tears in his eyes.
-Ugh, can I just have my weekly allowance and I'll see you next Sunday? I said with a sigh and looked down at the ground. My dad has been sneaking me some money so I could get by since our weekly meet ups had started. Believe me, they had more than enough since they are wealthy but my mother didn't know about it, we've been in a really bad place ever since the night of my brothers funeral.
-Well yeah, maybe that's a good idea, he sighed as well and reached to the pocket of his jacket. He gave me the money and as I took it he held onto my hand for a few seconds.
-Bye dad, I said and forced on a smile.
-Goodbye honey, he answered me and
walked away as he raised his hand for a small wave.
I started to walk back the same way that I came from. I couldn't get Aidan out of my head.
~FLASHBACK~
I'm walking down the street in the block that I live in. It's a nice, suburban neighbourhood where almost all the families have children. It's like it's an unwritten rule over this block, "if you're not wealthy, go live somewhere else". It was only nice, big houses and fancy, very expensive cars.
I could feel that clean, hollow and earthly smell that always comes after rain. The grass still has drops of water in it and there are puddles scattered over the road.
I'm meeting my little brother Aidan, he's on his way home from a friends house but since he's only ten years old he isn't allowed to go by himself when it's dark. I got to our usual meeting place but he isn't here. I continue to walk down the road in the direction of his friends house. I could feel a knot starting to form in my stomach, it was worry. Suddenly I see Aidan's green bike just laying on the road in front of me. I start to run while calling out his name. Then I see him. He is just laying by the side of the road, both of his legs formed in weird angles, they must be badly broken. I run the fastest that my legs can carry me until I get to him. His neck is bent in an unnatural way as well. I start to search for a heartbeat when I realize he isn't breathing. I can't find a heartbeart. Tears are streaming down my cheeks as I dial 911 and scream to the lady on the line to send and ambulance and after that I explain what is going on. I break down screaming, crying and beating the ground until the ambulance arrives.
I get in the ambulance with Aidan while talking to one of the paramedics about contacting my parents. When we get to the hospital I can't go with Aidan. A nurse is telling me that they will try their hardest to save him but it seems like a lost cause. I feel like I'm on autopilot, just nodding or shaking my head to show that I'm listening. A cop also talks to me. Telling me that they found the driver that hit Aidan and that he was drunk. He will face some serious consequences, the cop says.
Eventually another nurse comes to talk to me. Before she opens her mouth to speak I understand. I can see it in her eyes. Aidan's dead. Aidan's not coming back. My legs are suddenly failing their purpose and I fall down to the ground. And I scream.
~FLASHBACK OVER~
