Is that Okay?

{8}

Obnoxious ringing filled the house from top to bottom. I groaned and shoved a pillow over my ears, hoping it would block out the sound. Not long after, the ringing stopped. My first guest was that John answered the phone, but that was quickly proven wrong once I heard his adorable snores from the other room. So I assumed I just missed the call, but then I remembered something very important to this situation. A certain pussy liked answering my phone when I'm not around. I instantly jumped out the bed and scurried out the room. I trampled down the stairs and stood on the last step. My suspicion was true. There Delilah was, her paws resting beside the phone, and her nose pressed against it. She was mewing softly in response to something, as if someone was having a casual conversation with her on the other end. I rushed towards the phone and silently shooed the feline away. I picked up the phone and composed myself.

"Hello." I greeted politely.

"Freddie? There you are. I thought you were a cat for a moment." It was John's mother, Lilian. Though she made a joke, she sounded rather sad.

"Oh, about that. My cat likes answering my calls. Isn't she sweet?" My statement was laced with sarcasm, which made Mrs. Deacon laugh.

"How thoughtful of her. It was lovely talking to you, but I need to talk to my baby, it's urgent." I heard her sniffle slightly. I knew something was wrong but I knew not to ask.

"Sure thing Madame. He's currently sleeping, but I'll wake him up."

"Thank you so much."

I placed the telephone on the counter and scurried up the staircase. I stopped in front of John's door and gave it a few gentle taps. John's snores stopped abruptly, and was soon replaced with his groggy groans. The door swung open, which caught me by surprise, and I was greeted by a sleepy John. His eyes were barely open and his body was slouched against the door. So cute.

"Good morning darling." I whispered. John had trouble looking at me due to his drowsiness, so he decided to look at the ground.

"G'morning Fred." He whispered back. I cringed slightly at the nickname and shrugged it off.

"Your mum is on the phone. You should talk to her."

John nodded his head and stumbled downstairs, I followed behind. He reached the phone, which was accompanied by Delilah once again. He picked up Delilah with one hand and the phone in the other.

"Hey mama." John mumbled. He placed Delilah on the ground. His expression lit up to the sound of his mother's voice. That soon changed when a worried expression plastered on his face.

"Mama? Mama why are you crying?" John was really worried now.

Silence filled the room for a few seconds.

"You promised he was alright. You both promised that!" John shouted. He was now shaking. I felt bad for him, I want to comfort him.

He was staring at me in disbelief. He was nervously scratching his arm while he listened to his mother.

"Okay." He finally said. He motioned the the phone towards me so I could take it, and I did. He took a seat on the sofa and cried.

"Hello?" I asked cautiously. I didn't want to upset them anymore.

"Freddie, my husband, John's father has been having medical issues for awhile. He passed away last night in his sleep."

My heart instantly shattered. I met John's dad a few times and he was such an easygoing fun guy. John was very close to him, everyone could tell when those two were together. But now he's gone.

"I'm sorry for your lost, I really am." I sympathized.

"Thank you Freddie. Tell John the funeral is next Sunday. If it's not too much to ask, could you watch out for my baby. I know it's weird that I'm asking a man to watch another man, but I'm just very worried. I can't physically be there for him at the moment"

"Lilian, it's fine. I completely understand, I promise to watch out for him."

"Thank you so much, you're so sweet. I should be going now."

"Best wishes to you dear." I hooked the phone back on its designated place and faced John. He was in shock. He was frantically scratching his arm as he stared at the ground. I sat next to him and removed his hand from his arm. Deep scratches covered his arm but I didn't point them out. Instead, I pulled John into the biggest hug ever. His life was going downhill at the moment and he needs all the love and support he can possible get.

"Everything is going to be alright." I whispered. He rested his head on my chest and cried. I soothingly rubbed his back and whispered little sweet nothings.

I honestly didn't know how to comfort him. I've never experienced something as traumatic as this. All I know is that he needs someone with him, and I'll gladly be that person.

Before I knew it, John fell asleep in my arms.