70's Jazz

Madeline's Announcement

I went home, slammed my bedroom door shut and cried. My brother walked in. "Sorry. You seem upset. I want to make sure you're okay." He sympathized. I scooted over so he could sit next to me. He rubbed my leg. "Eric is a jerk." I choked. He laughed. "Where and when did you meet him?" Ghram asked. "2 days ago at the café down the street." I explained. I told him everything that happened. The coffee spill. The letter. The unannounced arrival. The coffee meeting 15 minutes ago. "Oh that's awful" He expressed. "Yeah. Well I'm going to check on dad." I sniffled. Ghram nodded and went to the basement. When I arrived at the hospital the nurse wouldn't let me in. "I am following Mrs. Lofte's orders and Kevin Lofte has no visitors allowed except his wife Celeste Lofte." The informed. "But I'm his daughter!" I protested. She just shrugged. I groaned and went home. I found my brother and Madeline on the couch sucking each other's faces. I knocked on the wall and cleared my throat. They jumped. "Oh hey, Giselle." He blushed. "Oh you're his sister. Nice to meet you." Madeline praised.

They both nervously chuckled. "Giselle." My brother paused. "Waiting." I said. "Madeline and I are going to tell Mom." He confessed. I was shocked. "You can't do that!" I proclaimed. He questioned. I explained the hospital. "Maybe you should leave Madeline." I suggested. She left. "That's a bad idea. DO. NOT. DO. THAT" I shouted. "Look this is stressful on Madeline so just chill out and at least act like you're a decent human being." He stated firmly. 

A week passes

"Have you told mom yet?" I asked. Ghram shook his head. "Look I'm sorry. Just talk to me." I pleaded. "I just thought that out of everyone you'd support me and Madeline." He said. "I do! I was just scared for you and nervous." I reassured. We hugged. "I'm going to the plaza to play." I stated. "Cool." He responded. I left and when I arrived at the fountain I usually play in front of I saw Eric sitting there. No problem I'll just go play in front of a large tree somewhere. There were no trees. Whatever I'll just pretend like he is not there. I set my stuff down and began to preform. Many just stopped to listen while every now and then I'd see some dollars fly down to my case. When I stopped I heard applause. This isn't a concert it's a shopping plaza. Who is clapping? I turned around. Of course. Eric. "That was lovely, dearie." He complimented. "Thanks but no thanks." I snapped. "Calm down, love. I tipped you. I wanted to apologize from last week." He started. I covered his mouth. I didn't want to hear it. I gathered my stuff and started to walk off. He followed continuing his apology. "Shut up!" I demanded. "Maybe later we can hang out. We never did finish." He offered. I scoffed and went in my car. He tapped on my window. I honked for him to get out of the way. When I got home my mom and brother were arguing. "Absolutely not!" My mom shouted. They stopped when the door shut. I guess they heard it. "Giselle tell mom how I should still help Madeline given her issue." He argued. Oh. He told mom. "No. Stay out of it Giselle." She demanded. I mouthed "I told you" to my brother. I went to my room and continued to write a song. An hour later Ghram burst in my room "Thanks for having my back!" He yelled. I groaned. "I just wanted you to figure it out since it is your fault." I shot back. He looked at me. He looked hurt. I scrunched my face. "That's not what I meant!" I shouted as he slammed my door. Good job Giselle. Your dad is in the hospital who you can't see thanks to your mom. You get only $100 or less from tips and you need $10,000. I felt useless and hopeless. 

I went to the living room and my mom was laying on the couch. Her face red and eyes swollen. "Mom I want to see dad." I announced. "No." She replied. "Why?" I questioned. "Your father is dead." She sniffled.