The Odd Way of Life (completed)

The Heart Attack

March 15, 1839
"Thank you for telling me immediately." I said as I ran down the alleyway.

"That's what brothers are for." Matthew said. A heart attack?! I had never known my father, but mom always said he was a pirate, and a good one to. Not one that stole money, but an adventurer, one that discovered, searched even, but a heart attack, what the heck! He was here in Cardiff too, and my mom didn't even tell me!!!This could be the first and last time I would ever really speak to him. As we were running, I looked at my brother, and I could tell he was thinking the same

My brother is very soft-spoken and shy. Whereas I am loud and proud, always the one to stand in the face of danger and laugh at it, though my brother and I are twins, we're completely different.

"We're here." My brother said simply as we reached the hospital. Matthew and I entered at the same time. I was surprised to find my mom standing before us weeping. She looked so sad, I've never seen her like that before, I didn't even know what she was going to say and I felt like crying. Oh no, this is bad, this is really, really bad.

"He's not going to make it... "She trailed of as she started to cry again, looking as if she was unable to control her tears. I could barely hear her, but still my stomach fell.

"Where are Arthur and Francis?" My brother sounded so serious, I could barely tell it was him speaking.

"They're right around the corner, and Alfred," My mom looked to me. "Kiku is here too, he was knocking on the door as we left. He should be with your brothers, right around the corner." I felt like I was going to cry. Kiku was always coincidentally there whenever I needed him. Like a best friend always should. My thoughts were interrupted as a pitch-black haired 19 year old rounded the corner.

"They have officially proclaimed him dead." He said. Kiku. I thought simply to myself. Kiku was born in Japan and he moved here when he was 7, yet he still hasn't gotten used to the customs here in England. Arthur and Francis were by his side no less than a second later. I have never truly seen him, and now I never will. I broke down at that point, falling to my knees, and started to cry, not caring if anyone saw me. I just can't believe he's gone... my thoughts trailed off. Huh? I noticed there were frail arms around my torso. Kiku was trying to... comfort me? I smiled through the hands I had put against my face.

"Thank you, Kiku, really, thanks." I said with the short breath I had managed to catch. This is someone I can truly trust, someone I can count on, someone who will protect me when needed and I knew I would always do the same. I broke down again, this time in my best friend's arms.

"I will now read the last will and testament of Arthur James Jones the first." I heard the lawyer say in a thickly accented voice. Everyone was here, mom, Mathew, Francis, Arthur, and I even managed to drag Kiku here, despite his protests of it being disrespectful to our family and such. I had broken down 7 times this week and wanted to make sure that if it happened again that I was in Kiku's arms. Usually he was by my side without my asking, so that was a plus." First, to Arthur James Jones the 2nd, he gives all his research papers and journals he ever wrote." Nice thinking dad, give all the journals to the bookworm." Second, to Francis Tiberius Jones he gives all of his mapping and tracking supplies." And give all of the gentle stuff to the spaz master. "Third, to Mathew Watson Jones, he gives all the riches he had ever come by, of which equates to over a million pounds." What do I get dust!!!", and lastly, to Alfred F." he paused, looking towards me in question.
"Fitzgerald" I said with embarrassment.With a slight entanglement of his eyebrows, the lawyer continued.
", Jones he gives his last belongings, his boat, clothing, and weaponry."

The whole room silenced to a point where you could hear the soft 'pitter-patter' of the rain on the window." That's it." The lawyer ended, getting up from his seat, though a look of remembrance passed on his face and he sat back down." Oh, and there was a note he left," he reached down into his suitcase and brought out a slightly crumpled piece of parchment "It says, 'Amanda, you had better told the children that we divorced, or I will never forgive you.'." the man then left without a single word. Divorced? What? WHAT!? WHY WOULDN'T SHE TELL ME!!! WHY DIDN'T SHE TELL ANY OF US!!! I was silent as I pushed back my chair, got up, and headed towards the door. Though I stopped as my hand touched the doorknob.

"I hate you." I said to my mother coldly, and I left with Kiku following close behind.

"You shouldn't have said that, Alfred-kun." Kiku stated as I closed the door. I turned around, rage filling my eyes like lava.

"WHAT WAS I SUPPOSED TO SAY, SHE KEPT A SECRET THAT COULD'VE CHANGED MY COMPLETE IMAGE OF MY DAD!!! I WOULD'VE THOUGHT OF HIM AS A JERK FOR LEAVING MOM OR SOMETHING!!! BUT NO!!! I THINK OF HIM AS A GREAT MAN, AND I DON'T BLAME HIM FOR LEAVING MOM, SHE'S A LIAR!!!" I took labored breaths after I had finished. I saw fear on Kiku's face and suddenly felt horrible. I turned my head and looked at my feet in shame." I-I'm sorry, I shouldn't have lashed out like tha-," I was suddenly enveloped with two small arms around my torso. Kiku was hugging me again.

"Alfred-kun, I know you're hurting, but you need to get a better grip on your sanity before you lose it." Kiku had such a soft voice, it was so soothing that I couldn't help but calm down immediately. I slowly hugged him back, crying gently.

"I-I'm s-sorry, I just, she lied, for nineteen years, she lied..." I placed my head in the crook of Kiku's neck, my tears now flowing. Then Kiku started to sing,

"Nennen korori yo, okorori yo. Bōya wa yoi ko da, nenne shina~" I started to calm down as Kiku sang the lullaby, his voice was beautiful." Are you ok Alfred-kun?" he spoke softly. I lifted my head and slowly nodded to Kiku.

"Thank you." I whispered, my eyes were tearing up again, so Kiku forced me into a hug like before, continuing his song,

"Bōya no omori wa, doko e itta? Ono yama koete sato e itta. Sato no miyage ni, nani morotta? Denden taiko ni, shō no fue."