Journey Through Mysterious Eyes

Prologue

    "Hello? Is this Mr. Coal?" The worried woman's voice asks through the phone. "This is his son, Eric Coal." I say relaxed, it's probably one of his friend's wives calling like they always do, looking for their men. "Can I hear why you're calling?" I say, politely, to her. "Yes, um, Eric, is it? I don't think I should be the one to tell you something that must be terrifying to you." Her voice begins to crack as if she is going to break down into tears. "Ma'am, you can tell me, I can handle it." I say, like a five year-old wanting to be a grown up. "If I tell you, will you give me your father's number?" She's beginning to get on my nerve, I just want to know what happens. "Yes, ma'am, I will." "Son, I'm sorry to be the one to say this, but your mom was driving down the road and got hit by a tractor trailer who didn't stop at the red light. Your mother, she's dead."

    My heart jumps out of my chest, this cannot be happening I think to myself. I give the woman, who starts to cry, my dad's cell phone number. I hang up the phone, shakingly, and walk into my four year-old sister's room. I stare at Emily while she sleeps, peacefully, she looks identical to mother. I am the first to know, about my mother. Why the first? I think to myself as I head out of Emily's room and head into my own.

    I lay on the bed wanting to cry, but I can't because my body turns numb, and the tears will not come out. I hear a noise and decide to check it out. I head to Emily's room to see if she is awake, but she is not so I head into the kitchen. I look at my phone, it was my dad who called. I frantically call him back, hoping he does not chew me out for not answering. I'm relieved, he doesn't pick up. This gives me time to make an excuse. Tell him Emily woke up he told himself. No he would just ask her and she will tell him no. I was taking a shower, yes that will work, I mutter, once again.

+++

     I awake to hearing the door slam shut, and my sister crying as if she is being murdered. Putting my clothes on, I sped into Emily's room. Dad is slapping her in the face as I sweep behind him. "WHERE IS ERIC!?" He shrieks. "I DON'T KNOW!" Emily begins shedding tears as our dad continues to slap her. Tears start streaming from my face. I yell "WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU!? WHY ARE YOU SLAPPING EMILY!?" He just gives me a blank stare as if he is doing no wrong. "I'm sorry, Eric, but who told you not to answer my calls, and judge my parenting?" He gives me an evil smirk. "Dad, I know Mom just died and you should be recovering, but don't treat us like this. What did Emily, what did I do to you?" I start sobbing real hard. No one should abuse an innocent four year-old. "DON'T YOU SEE, ERIC!? I was in a car accident the same time your mother was. I DROVE AWAY NOT KNOWING IT WAS HER!" Dad starts to cry and rolls himself into a ball on the floor. I text my friend, Dallas, and tell him what happened. He is a brother to me, and I'm hoping he understands.

ERIC: Hey, Dallas, my Mom got into a car wreck and its making my dad be a total jerk. Do you think your Mom will let Emily and I stay over for a night or so?

    I wait ten minutes, watching my dad roll in Emily's room, hoping he wouldn't snap out of it untill after we leave.

Finally, Dallas replied.

DALLAS: Mom said it's fine, do you need a ride?

ERIC: No, we will be there in 20

DALLAS: See you

    I walk into my room and grab my book bag and I shove inside my school supplies and clothes. I silently walk into Emily's room and grab her bag. I shove her clothes and her hairbrush in there. Afterwards, I grab Emily and am ready to head out. I stand Emily by the door and whisper "Emily, be quiet and stay here." I run to the closet and grab two things I know dad will destroy: the photo album and our home movies. I make Emily grab my hand and we run outside silently, closing the door behind us.

+++

    When Emily and I arrive to Dallas' he is on his front porch waiting. "Hey, Dally!" Emily cheerfully says. "Hey, Miss Emily!" Dallas replies, feeding off of her cheerful energy. "Emily, why don't you go inside and let Sabrina know you're here." Emily smiles and runs inside. She loves Dallas' mom, Sabrina. "So, Eric, what happened, exactly?" I can tell by Dallas' voice that he is worried. "Well, I'll spare you the time and make it short." His eyes stare with sorrow, into my soul. "I got a call from a women at the hospital wanting my dad, and I told her he was at work. She gave me the news that my mom was in a car wreck and died. So I gave her my dad's number and went to sleep. I awoke to dad slapping the shit out of Emily asking where I was. She screamed and shouted saying that she didn't know. I ran in there and yelled why are you slapping Emily? He eventually told me he was in a car accident the same time mom was at the exact same place and he was the one to hit her. He said he didn't even know and he drove away. So he curled into a ball and then I texted you, now here we are." A single tear rolls down his cheek slowly, landing in the crease of his nose. "Let's go in, it's freezing." Dallas says trying not to cry. He loved my mom and loves my sister. So, hearing that must devastate him.

    We head inside and Sabrina gives us some hot chocolate to warm up with. By the time I sit Emily down on top of me she is already fast asleep. "I think it's time for bed." I laugh as I lay on the couch with Emily pressed onto me. "You two can sleep in Cat's old room." She whispers to me picking up Emily. Without hesitation I follow her into Cat's room. She lays Emily down on the bed and turns to me "Stay here as long as you need." Sabrina says, smiling. "Yes ma'am." I reply with a yawn as she closes the door behind her. I take the advantage of a nice bed and crawl under the covers with Emily as I fall into a deep sleep.