Brothers Sean and Norman are closer than close, have eachothers back on everything, Happily married Sean has it all, perfect home, perfect wife, perfect life, Sean is a soldier in the US Army and when he gets called to fight in Iraq he leaves behind...
The last 8 weeks dragged for Claire, she still had a few more to go before Sean arrived home, she kept herself busy with work and helping the kids with their after school clubs and seeing her best friend, Lucy who was a teacher at the school she worked at.
Putting her bags under her desk she went to the lounge and made herself a coffee "boo!" Lucy shouted jabbing Claire in her sides making her jump "every morning Luce?" Claire replied sarcastically trying not to laugh, handing her friend a coffee as she poured herself another "you look like shit...been speaking to Sean all night again?" Lucy asked adding sugar to her coffee "uh huh, didnt realise until we got off the phone and it was 4am...gonna feel it today!" Claire moaned leaning her head pathetically on Lucy's shoulder. "You seen or heard from his brother?" Lucy asked about Norman "pah! No!" Claire quipped in response to Lucy's question. Norman always spoke to Claire the first week or two when Sean first leaves but then he stops contacting her usually when he hooks up with someone.
Getting to her class she had her class read 'Of Mice And Men' and speak about their views on the part they were up to. Checking her phone under her desk she saw a few missed calls from Norman, she dropped him a text explaining she was at work and couldnt talk and asked him what was up. When the bell ran the kids packed up their bags and left "bye Mrs Flanery" they said walking out and of to lunch. Claire ate at her desk and opened up her laptop for some online shopping, when the Principal came in "Er Claire? Can i have a word?" He asked closing the door behind him. Closing her laptop down she motioned for him to sit down he looked awkward "whats up?" She asked confused, she wondered if it was about Kevin Parker a student in her class who was a bit of a problem student, never doing homework and disrupting classes and such. "I have some bad news...i wont beat around the bush here Claire" Principal Chambers began, Claire chewed her pen nervously as he spoke "your husband was killed in action this morning" she dropped the pen in sheer shock at what she had just heard before bursting uncontrollably into tears "please tell me this is a mistake" she begged through tears as Chambers tried to console her. Claire could feel her heart being ripped from her chest "i spoke to him this morning i dont understand" she said stifling her tears "how?" She asked "their helicopter was shot down" Chambers replied, he too looked choked to have to be giving his colleague such awful news. The bell rang for the next class "come on, lets get you home" he said helping her to her feet and packing her bag for her "no no i have this class to do" Claire said taking stuff out of the packed bag she wasnt thinking straight, "Claire. Its fine. Come on" he said pulling her into a hug as she cried again. The class came in, shocked to see their teacher in such a state. Claire was so preoccupied she didnt hear them whispering to eachother about her as she walked past them all and into the corridor. Principal Chambers helped her downstairs to the reception and drove her home.
"Want me to come in? Make some calls?" He offered as they pulled up to her house. Claire was numb she shook her head, took her bag and left the car and went inside her house shutting the world out. Her bag fell to the floor as she let go of it, letting out a scream as she let more tears flood out from her swollen and puffy eyes. Sliding down the wall she huddled her legs to her chest and cried. The only time she stopped was when the house phone rang, she didnt want to speak to anyone right now. Heading upstairs she quickly stripped into just her underwear and threw Sean's jacket over her body and took in his scent causing her heart to break more than it already was.
Waking up to a banging at the door she looked at the clock and saw it was 8:30pm she must of fallen asleep. The banging was still coming, throwing on her sweats and one of Sean's t shirts she went downstairs, her face still damp from crying. As she opened the door a force barged past her, it was Norman, he had been crying too and he wasnt afraid to show it. "I cant believe it" he said, voice choked. She ran into his arms and they sobbed together. Sniffing she pulled away from him "i dont know what to do" she whispered, Norman led her into the living room and they sat down "someone from the military is coming by tomorrow to answer any questions" Norman began before Claire cut him off "why is my husband dead!" She snapped. Norman didnt react to her, she had a point. Why did Sean have to die? Why like that?
They sat together for a while in silence, the sounds of their sniffs from tears was the only noise filling the room.
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