Dear heart, why him? (#WATTYS2018)

Chapter 14

Standing outside the Rose's house had my anxiety going through the roof. To say i was a nervous wreck would be an understatement. You could tell that this home was no longer a happy place, like any trace of happiness was erased, no blooming flowers instead just weeds and dried out grass. The white picket fences was all cracked and chipped. 

bringing my eyes to the home itself it was a two floor building with shutters next to the windows. the kind that was never used just there for show, the paint on the house was chipping away from the lack of care and the cold weather. This house screamed broken, damaged, lost. I understood this home because my last home turned into this and my new home is the same. 

Zack hadn't said a word since we arrived outside the house, he was taken the place in remembering old memories, seeing his old life, seeing her. The colour had drained from his face, his eyes building with the sadness in his heart. 

Reaching for his hand i give it a gentle squeeze which seems to bring him back to the present. taking a deep breath he reaches for the gate and tugs me into the lifeless garden. My palms are sweating and my heart is beating so fast i wouldn't be surprise if he could hear it.  Turning to me he gives me a small smile. 

"Let me do the talking to start of with. It's been a while since i've visited" he says with a look i can only assume is guilt on his face. I don't have it in me to speak so i just nod my head. What does one say to someone who is riddled with so many emotions running through them? 

With one last deep breath he brings his hand up and knocks three times on the red wooden door. I give his hand another squeeze letting him know i'm here and that i'm not going anywhere. It takes about 2 minutes for someone to open the door and i don't look up until i hear the deep voice of a man speaking to Zack. 

"Zack? Well it's been a while son! It's good to see you" Without even looking at the man i can tell how broken he is, His voice lacks any real happy emotion no matter how hard he tries. Bringing my eyes up to Mr Rose i take him in with just one look you can see who troubled and broken this man is, a ghost of what i can only assume is his old self. His green eyes lack any light or happiness, bags thats scream exhaustion hang below them. Hair dark has knight lacking the healthy shine. He's a man on breaking point but refuses to break. 

"M-Mr Rose, it has been a while and i apologise for not visiting like i use to" Zack replies back with a slight stutter at the start, he's a nervous wreck and if he does't pull his self together thing could go down a dark path for the both of these men. So i do the only think i can, i give his hand yet another gentle squeeze.

Which brings his attention to me giving me a silent thank-you. But our silent communication is interrupted by the voice of Mr Rose. 

"Zackary no need to apologise son, life hasn't been really easy for any of us. But you're here now and thats all that matter. You've also brought a friend." Mr Rose says with a little smile. Making eye contact with him i give a smile back waiting for Zack to introduce us. 

"Y-Yes erm Nora Forbes meet Mr Rose, Mr Rose this is my new friend Nora. Zack awkwardly introduces us." I've never seen Zack so on edge within the time we have known each other. I hadn't realised how difficult this was going to be for him. Guilt builds up within me for making him face the demons he has yet to deal with. I'm going to have to make it up to him and to let him know he doesn't have to do anything he isn't comfortable with in the future. 

Reaching my hand out i open my mouth for the first time since arriving. "It's nice to meet you Mr Rose" i say with smile trying to hide the fact that i'm a nervous reck. He engulfs my small hand with his large one and give it a gentle shake. 

"Nice to meet you Nora and please call me David, both of you" He says looking at the both of us. This seems to bring a little smile to Zack's face with makes me realise that he was worried that Poppies parents might be a little upset with him.