A few days later..
My hands tightened on the steering wheel as I looked up at the family home. The house was set in a little suburban setting, everything looked perfect from outside and I could only imagine the perfection was carried inside. White windows, double garage, mowed law and hedges, everything was pristine. My eyes picked up the row of multi-coloured cards sat in the window, marking a birthday. I had all intentions of driving away when the door opened and a familiar face stood watching me carefully. I watched as his face pulled a small smile and he held the door open a little wider inviting me in. I turned off the car and grabbed my bag, getting out I headed up the perfect driveway, I couldn't seem to find a single blade of grass that was out of place.
"Robyn.. How wonderful it is to see you." He smiled.
"Hey Jim."
"Come on in kid." He welcomed me in and closed the door behind me. Through force of habit I took my shoes off and placed them to the side of the door before straightening myself up.
"Still take the shoes off huh?"
"Old habits as they say."
"Can I get you a tea? Coffee? Water?" He offered as we made our way to the kitchen.
"Water would be good.. Thank you." I smiled quickly. I cautiously poked my head into the kitchen worried I had disturbed lunch but nobody was there.
"Ah they went shopping. It's just us." He said noticing my action. Jim handed me a bottle of water and gave a smile. "Not that I'm not happy to see you Robyn, but you look like you need to off load. So how about we get it over with huh?"
"Still using those techniques." I replied following him through to the lounge and sitting down on large cream couches. I was right about everything being perfect.. It was what I would call a show home, a million miles away from my bric'n'brac house.
"Oh before I forget." I said, I went into my bag and pulled out a card. "Happy birthday."
Jim smiled and took the card before opening it up and reading it. "Thank you." He smiled standing up to place it in the window. "You normally send them."
"Like you said.. I needed to offload."
He let out a small sigh as he sat down "I'm getting old. Can feel it in my bones." He chuckled.
"How's the knee?" I questioned watching him rub it.
"Arthritis, as good as it's ever going to get." He replied shrugging.
"But you have medication for it now.. Right?"
"Yeah. It takes the pain away but not the feeling of it giving out. Touch wood it's never happened but one day it might." I smiled as he tapped the table with his hand.
Jim looked older from the last time I had seen him, 5 years ago I bumped into him as I was out on a location shoot. We had a brief chat but I sent him a birthday card each year, after all he did so much for me I felt like I owed him my life.
His hair was greying and his skin held more wrinkles than the last time, but the youthful look in his aqua blue eyes never changed. He was still the man I met all those years ago.
"What has happened?" He asked quietly.
I went to speak before pushing out the air in my lungs and closing my mouth trying to think of where best it was to start. "Work backwards if it helps." He guided.
Holding my emotions I swallowed hard and began "I hurt someone..."
He shifted in his chair and placed his hand under his chin "Badly?"
YOU ARE READING
Splintered Hearts
Fanfiction"What exactly is your problem?!" I snapped throwing the file down on the hood of the car. My patiences with him were gone. I was mad, in fact I was seething with him! "My problem?! My f**king problem is you!" He growled jabbing his finger at me. In...
