Life Of Lies

Chapter 8.

24th of November

Melanie POV

"Mel, are you ready? We really have to leave!" Eric yells. "I'm coming!" I yell back. I put on my All-Stars and my jacket. Maybe a scarf too, it's November already. I run to the living room, where Eric and my dad are waiting for me. "I'm here, can I help?" I ask. Eric nods and points to the backpack that's standing against the wall. I take the backpack and lock the door as we walk outside. I see my dad is struggling getting out of his wheelchair. "Wait dad, I'll help you." I put my arm under his and I help him to stand up. I help him to turn around so he can sit in the car. I lift up his feet and put them slowly in the car. He smiles and says thank you. "You don't have to say thank you all the time dad, we're here to help you." I have to say this all the time. He says thank you like a million times a day. He doesn't have to do that. I'm helping him because I love him, not because I feel obliged. I fold his wheelchair and Eric puts it in the car. I take a seat in the car and Eric takes place behind the wheel. I look at the wheelchair that's standing/lying next to me. Since the day we know dad has cancer, everything started to get worse. His health has declined so much the past few weeks. He doesn't have enough energy anymore to walk. Sometimes he's able to stand up himself, but sometimes he still needs help. I'm afraid that the illness will kill him before he has the chance to do euthanasia. In these past few weeks, we talked a lot about it and I understand him so much better now, so I really hope that he's going to make it until mom's birthday. It's too important for him to leave the world on that particular day. He wants to arrive on that day, no matter what. He also told us that he hated his life before he met mom. He told us that he was the guy that was bullied in high school because he looked a bit like a nerd. His eyes lit up when he spoke about him meeting mom. How he fell for her immediately. How his life was so much better with a woman who loved him and two beautiful children, refering to Eric and I. How he felt that he had finally found the right path of pure happiness. I asked him why he wants to end his life even though he sounds so happy. He told me that he is still really happy with his life and the great opportunities that he has gotten during his life. Then he replied that he felt like mom's birthday was the ideal day to end. He wanted to die in the happiness he's living in right now, not in the misery he will be living in in 30 years or something. "My life has been beautiful and it still is, but this is my cue to go, love," he told me. Since the day he told me that, I understand his decision.

Two hours later

"I remember your mom telling me that your biggest dream was to become a real monkey," my dad laughs while we look at the monkeys running around. "Dad, come on, that's the lifegoal of every 5-years-old boy," Eric says while laughing too. "If we walk further on this path and take the first path on the left, we will go to the lions," my dad tells us. I wanted him to read the map so he can keep his brains working. I personally think that even little things like reading a map of a zoo can help him stay a little longer. "Then we'll walk further, dad," I respond. I push the wheelchair into the right direction. On our way, we pass a leopard. That was mom's favourite animal. I can see that dad is thinking the same, because he smiles while looking at the animal and a tear is streaming down his cheek. "I miss her too, dad. All we can do is think about her, that way she will be in our hearts for ever," I whisper in his ear. He nods. "That's the only way you can remember people. You just have to think of them, support them in their decisions and keep them in your heart." I smile. I know he's refering to himself too. I am just not ready to admit that.

"Finally home," I sigh. It had been a long day full of walking. But I enjoyed the trip and dad had laughed a lot. That made me extremely happy. "I'm going to change dad, he wants to go to bed," Eric says. I nod. Even though it's 8:20PM, dad is really tired. Doing a trip like this asks a lot of his energy. "Goodnight dad, see you in the morning," I say while kissing his cheek. He smiles and Eric helps him into his bed that is standing in the studying room because he's not able to walk the stairs up and down. Suddenly, my phone buzzes.

Lucas: How was your day in the zoo?x

I smile as I read the text. Lucas and I have become very close. When I needed to talk to someone, I called him. We met up twice and we've had an amazing time together. He has become my best friend. To be honest, I'm struggling a bit with my feelings. I actually really wanted him to kiss me the last time. I do have feelings for him, but I don't know if he has feelings too. Danielle told me to go for it, to just kiss him the next time we meet up, but I don't dare to do that. We'll see if he makes a move someday.

Melanie: It was amazing, dad really enjoyed it. What have you done today?

Lucas: I went to Jason today, he needed me because his television didn't work anymore.

I'm typing an answer when suddenly a new message pops up again.

Lucas: But I missed you though.x

My heart skips a beat. He's so cute.

Melanie: You're such a sweetheart

Lucas: Let that be my nickname in your phone one day, but then with 'my' before 'sweetheart' x

I'm sorry for not updating so long. I have exams until monday the 19th so I'll try to update as soon as I can. Didn't forget you all. Thanks for still reading this, even though it isn't really good or something. I'm trying the best I can.x #ripLouis'mom #JustHoldOn