Truly Free // COMPLETED

TASK 3

Reason with Leanne Brooks

Friday, Nov. 11, 2016

"Dad, what's going on with mama?"

"Sweatheart, she's just hurting right now," he says to me. "We all are, we're just handling it in different ways. You know Grace is starting a campaign at the university. She's going around talking about the dangers of drunk driving."

That really puts a smile on my face. I'm glad to hear she's doing alright.

"I'm dealing with this whole thing by myself, I guess. It's the easiest way for me, Addy. I'd rather have a breakdown at work, in my office, and be here for you guys," he continues, popping another fry into his mouth. "How are you handling it?"

"Uhm," I try to gather my thoughts. "I'm pretty much distracting myself, I guess. Same as you, I'd rather cry by myself. It's easier for me to go out and have fun with my friends and remember Andrew at home than sacrifice my happiness over something that I can't change."

"I get it."

"But, really, what's up with mom?"

My dad sighs. He can't really blame me for wanting to know what's going on. Is she depressed? Does she need medicine? I haven't even noticed my dad talking until I hear a wonderful suggestion.

"-and I've been telling her we should go see a therapist or something like that. I mean, losing a child is different from losing a parent, kiddo. We all think our kids are gonna outlive us. No one really counts on a twenty two year old to pass away before his forty six year old father," he states with a look of pain in his eyes.

*****

"Leanne! You need to come down here so we can talk," my dad calls up the stairs. Gray had this on his 'master list' or whatever of tasks, but I didn't think I'd be completing two in one day. I guess I'll inform him later. It takes a good minute for my mom to come trudging down the flight of steps looking disheveled.

"Here," my dad slides her the bag of food we brought back for her. "Eat and then we're having a family discussion."

Mom doesn't even look at me. She grabs the bag and takes out her burger and fries. While she takes her time eating I run upstairs to change out of my uniform. Once I'm comfortable I run back down. Mom, surprisingly is finished with her hamburger.

"Okay," Daddy claps his hands together. "Family meeting."

"How can you call this a family meeting if Andrew isn't here?"

Well crap.

"Because, whether we like it or not, this is our family now. We're missing one person, and it'll be a while for us to get back to a good place, but you can't ride the mourning train anymore."

"Ben, our son is dead! How do you expect me to pick up and move on?"

Don't bring me up. Don't talk about me.

"Because we have another child! You're ignoring her and treating her like she's a burden, but right now, she's the only thing bringing me joy."

There it is.

"She's out everyday with that Corley boy, she needs to be home."

"Home with you? You don't even talk to her. This isn't even about Addison, this is about you." Dad's really starting to get frustrated. "If this keeps up I'm gonna have to-"

"Have to what, Ben?!"

"Get you help, Leanne! I think we could all use some help," he sighs, running his fingers through his graying hair.

But, I don't want help.

"And what about Addison? Does she get help, or does she run around town-"

"She's getting her own help," he puts his hand on my knee. He stands up and grabs his cell phone. "Leanne, I'm making you a therapist appointment for Monday."

I want to get out of this room as fast as possible. I race out of the room and up the stairs before anyone can say anything. I don't know what to feel, but I know what I want to do.

To Gray: Can you meet me in your backyard?

From Gray: Already there.

I run and hop the privacy fence and see my boy waiting for me by the Magnolia tree in his yard. I sit down next to him and we sit in silence for as long as we want. It's dark out, and it's cold, but in this moment, I need someone, and he's more than happy to let me need him.