one
Brock sat on his bed that summer evening.The light coming from the small window dream of making the moment for the 5 year old boy more unforgettable. As he listened to his father read from his favorite book sitting on a tiny chair from his coloring table.Where his Lego collection and action figures lay on display on the shelves beside them.His father's voice ended with a smile after each sentence,pleased at his son as he reacts with excitement.The illustrations making his father wide eyed with fascination as well.
He grew fond of art from his father,who took him to Museums,staring at paintings all day, done by passionate and hardworking people who let hours die to create something special.His father would always quiz him on what his innocent mind was thinking,and how his young heart was feeling.There was never a time he would give his father silence.So growing up he found answers he never knew he had,and has become a part of him.
Jolene his older sister was out again,still at work or in her boyfriend's house doing what she shouldn't. She was still at the bus,saving tears for later, for when she gets home to talk about her break up with Gil,a guy she never thought would think to betray her.Her mother was always great with keeping her children comported in these emotional trials.She hugged her purse closer now,looking out the window flinching at every headlight that passes by.Her body felt weak and she needed to get home.She changed her mind,thinking of heading straight to bed and letting all the pain and sorrow flood under her covers.
Her bus finally stopped by her house,and she got out staring at her brothers window,a lamp just beginning to close.She was headed for the door,keys out,browsing for the right one.
"Did you enjoy that as much as i did bud?"His father would say setting the book back on the bookshelves.
"It was amazing dad...i love you."The little man would say standing up from his bed to catch his father for a hug.
"goodnight son"his father would say.Closing the lamp before he left the room.
Alice ,his wife was sitting on the kitchen table.With a bottle of wine and another glass for him,he would be by any second now.It was a special night for them too.They decided that morning after he woke up that they were ready to have another child,to give their son Brock and daughter Jolene another life companion.This was their idea of a small and subtle celebration.
She waited,with a look of disbelief.Her heart beating with her husband's every step on the staircase.
That's when her heart skipped a beat,as she stood from her seat,dropping the glass from her lips,the wine spilling on the table and all over the kitchen floor.
That's when her daughter opened the door ,burst into cry,running head down towards the staircase where his father started to lose his weight and fall halfway down.His body causing a loud thud falling face first on the wooden floor ,after rolling violently on his way there. Jolene stopped halfway up the steps,her eyes wet,blurring her vision.She did not realize her father had crossed her path.
"Dad?"She would say wiping at her eyes."Dad!'She would shout,it was enough to wake up her brother.
Alice ran to where her husband has fallen.Head bowed on his closed eyes crying silently after she carried his head gently on her lap.Her daughter looking over them,hands on her mouth,as she looked down at his father's eyes beginning to open.As the cut on his forehead began to leak with blood that ran down the ridge of his nose.
The entire house fell silent.
As the little boy upstairs adjusted his body on the bed.
As his father remained still on the bottom of the stairs with his family,not saying a word.
As tears of blood started falling from his father's eyes.
