The New Prototype

Chapter 3

"Ethan get down from there!" I heard Ryan yell from below. I was sitting on a tree branch having a grand old time. It was nice up here, the breeze and being able to see things you couldn't see from the ground. It was amazing.

"Don't make me come up there!" He yelled.

"You can't even get up her-" Before I could finish my sentence, I heard a snap and the next thing I knew, I was on the ground groaning in pain.

"Shit, Ethan! Are you okay?" Ryan asked me.

"Yeah, just hurt my butt." I said.

"Don't do that again. You could have killed yourself!" I rolled my eyes and got up. Dad was sitting on a bench not far from here. He was just chilling. I ran over to him and asked for some money to buy ice cream at the ice cream truck.

"Sure, you know, your mother loved to buy us all ice cream from the ice cream truck."

"Dad, don-"

"She always took you guys to the park. While I was working you guys and your mother would come here." I could see the tears in dad's eyes.

"What's going on here?" Ryan asked from behind me.

"Nothing, just talking to Ethan." Dad said.

"Ethan, why don't you take some money and buy ice cream for yourself?" Ryan handed me a wad of cash and I ran for the ice cream truck. I got my ice cream and when I got back, Dad was no where to be seen. Ryan was sitting down and had a disappointed look on his face.

"Where's dad?" I asked.

"He's sitting in the car crying. What did you do say to him?"

"Nothing! He's the one who brought up mom and started to cry!"

"Jesus Christ. That man needs to get a hold of himself. Sorry for ruining your day Ethan."

"What do you mean ruined? It's only morning! We have the rest of the day!" I smiled at him.

"Alright, just don't end up making me spend all my money."

"I don't know about that." I said. Ryan gave me a huge smile and put his arm over my shoulder.

"Come one kiddo, let's go some where fun. And don't get the ice cream all over my car."

"I won't." I said and followed Ryan to the car.

(In The Evening...)

Today is probably the worst day of my life. As soon as we got home, Ryan got a call from his commander or some shit and he had to go to work. So for a few hours I stayed up in my room, but when I came downstairs for dinner, dad was no where to be seen. When he's not home that means he's with mom. We have two cars, but dad and Ryan took both of them. I decided to take the subway to the hospital.

When I got to the hospital, the nurse recognized me right away and led me to mom's room. She told me that mom isn't feeling all too good and she is in a lot of pain. I opened the door and saw dad sitting next mom. She was talking to him and when she saw me, she wiped away her tears.

"Ethan! I'm so glad you're here!" I sat down next to mom and held her hand. It felt cold and she looked tired.

"Are you okay?" I asked her.

"Yeah, I'm just very tired, that's all." She took a deep breath and smiled at me.

"Honey, why don't you call the doctor...I think it's time." Mom said. Dad got up and did as he was told.

"Ethan, I just want you to know that I love you and don't forget about me, okay?" The tears started to roll down mom's eyes.

"Okay." I said. The doctor came and he told me to wait outside. Dad was right behind him and he was already in tears. I closed the door and walked towards the waiting room. I sat there for...an hour? Maybe thirty minutes? I have no idea, but dad came back and told me to go home without him. His eyes were all red and puffy. I knew leaving dad here was a mistake, but I didn't argue with him. I simply got up and left without saying anything.