Telling Rodney..

Chapter 1

It's a bleak, Sunday. 2 weeks after Joan Trotter has passed..Del's slouched on the sofa gazing at his little brother Rodney innocently playing with bricks, Grandad's in the kitchen failing at making a sausage sarnie for everyone.

"Joanie was better at this..."
He slams the sauce span onto the cooker, giving the house even bigger tense.

As usual, lazy git Reg is slammed across the bed, moaning that he can't get his own way anymore. Del sighs, at this point he's isolated from the world and quite frankly couldn't give two shits about a sausage sandwich. All his eyes are fixed on is Rodney. Rodney catches Del staring at him and innocently gives the biggest smile like he's trying to show off to Del what he can do with his toys. That puts a smile on his face. Grandad comes back into the main room, dragging his feet as he retrieved the coach.

"Horrible out there today isn't it?"
Grandad says, looking out the window to find something to say.

"Yeah, well, so it should be." An anxious Del replies quietly. Stroking his upper lip.

Grandad looks down on Del and Rodney as if he has something to say.

"When are you gonna tell him? You know what they say...babies always notice when something's wrong."
Grandad tells Del.

"I know that grandad!" Del exclaims, his face clammy. "Sorry, I just need time."
He whimpers, turning back to little Rodney who's looking confused around the room.

Rodney's barley learning new words yet, so far he can say a couple names and a few mumbled words.

"You know, sometimes I wonder, if he looks around the room waiting for mum to come and just...pick him...up...and cuddle him and..."

Del stops mid sentence, his voice get's croaky like he's trying to hold back the tears because everyone sees him as the big, charming guy who never gets hurt, but then again he's just a teenager.

"I know, son" Grandad sighs in sadness, gently lifting his body up to move over to the other sofa and give his grandson comfort.

He gently puts one arm around Del. Del realises he cant hold it any tighter and bury's his head in Grandad's arms letting out a large cry for Joanie. Little Rodney gets up, noticing his big brother is sad and even he pulls out a sad face. Del puts his arm around Rodney, knowing he's there and Rodney lays his head on Del's knee, making sure he's okay.