I'm Ready For My Close Up, Mr Joker

9. A Broken Home

"What?" Helen asked in disbelief. I shoved the phone towards her as she read the message aloud.
'Hello Jaime, I know it's been a while but I though you deserved to know. Your father had a heart attack yesterday and slipped away in his sleep this morning. I'm sorry love x'
Helen's mouth hung open, pulling me deep into her embrace. But I needed to leave. I couldn't stand having everyone in the room pitying me. I just wanted to be alone.
As if reading my mind, the nurse asked if they'd all leave the room as she needed to do some tests. They reluctantly did so, as I slumped back into the crisp hospital bed sheets. As soon as they exited the room, I leaped towards the chair in the corner, my clothes stacked on top and quickly changed. Pulling away the floral hospital gown and slipping into my jeans and shirt.
Before the nurse managed to return, I left the room and ran for the main corridor, quickly finding the exit. I knew my car wouldn't be here as 1) I had no keys 2) I'm pretty sure I didn't drive myself here after I passed out! I knew that the hospital was in the city centre so as long as I kept walking, I'd end up somewhere that I recognised.

My Dad was dead. My only family. I was an only child as my Mom died while giving birth to me, so I grew up just me and my Dad. We were inseparable. Until my Dad began getting too friendly with the bottle. It started when I was twelve. He'd leave most nights after I was asleep and spend the whole night at the pub. I tried to make him stop but there was nothing I could do. He was spending so much money on booze that I had to get a job when I was fourteen just so we could pay rent. He used to yell at me, smash plates and slam doors... But it was never physical. That was until that night. I was sixteen and I'd had enough of his drinking. I told him that he was a bad father, that I wished he was dead instead of Mom. And he hit me. Hard. My cheek was crimson red and my eye turned purple. The next morning, I left a note telling him I wasn't coming back. And I haven't seen him since.

And now I know, I never will.