Eventually we arrived home and I threw myself onto the sofa. I was mentally exhausted. Today had been a long day, made worse by the fact that I was now in turmoil as to how to feel about my father. Maybe I shouldn't allow him back into our lives, after all I hadn't wanted much to do with Mum. I wished Ethan was here, he would be able to help me make a decision.
I jumped as I heard my mobile ring. I glanced at Caleb who picked it up and looked at the screen.
"It's an unknown number." he told me.
I frowned at him.
"Do you want me to answer it?" he offered.
"No, it might be Dad." I sighed.
He silently handed me the phone and I quickly answered it.
"Hello." I said tentatively.
"Hey." I heard a familiar voice say.
"Ethan!" I exclaimed.
"Yeah it's me." he chuckled.
"Where are you?" I asked him.
"Still at the police station." he answered.
"When are you coming home?" I said quietly.
"Not for a while." he said quietly.
"What....but...Ethan?" I stuttered.
"They've charged me with manslaughter through negligence of care." he sighed.
I remained silent for a moment as I processed what he'd told me.
"No..you can't have!" I exclaimed, beginning to panic.
"I'm sorry, but it's true." he whispered.
"What am I going to do without you?" I asked.
"You're a strong independent woman, I'm sure you'll be fine." he reassured me.
"I won't, I need you around!" I protested.
"When are you coming home?" I added.
"My court date is in a couple of months and after that it will depend on the sentence I get." he said quietly.
I froze as the realisation of his words hit me. He would be in jail for at least another two months and it would probably be longer. He could be in there for years. Would he be able to cope in that environment? Would I be able to cope without him?
"You still there?" he asked.
"Yeah I'm here." I said quietly.
"How is it in there?" I asked worridly.
"Not too bad, I just keep my head down." he sighed.
"I really miss you though." he added.
"I miss you too." I told him.
"Dinner is ready!" Caleb called from the kitchen.
"Is that Cal?" he questioned.
"Yeah." I told him.
"I thought he didn't want anything to do with us?" he asked.
"Well he's staying for a while to keep me company." I sighed.
"I bet he is." he said sarcastically.
"Please don't start." I pleaded.
"Sorry." he said quietly.
"I love you." he said quickly.
I gasped as he hung up before I had the chance to tell him that I loved him too. Caleb smiled at me as he entered the room.
"You okay?" he asked.
I shook my head slowly. Caleb quietly crossed the room and sat next to me on the sofa. I let the tears flow as he pulled me onto his lap. He placed his chin on my head as I rested my head against his chest.
"We need to get him out of there." I sobbed.
"There's nothing we can do." he whispered.
"There's always something." I insisted.
