Tetrology Of The Sea - Book 2: Until the Sea🪼

Twenty-One

That night, Jude told the Bagerys every feeling he felt from the moment he saw his mother dead on he kitchen floor to the moment he was in the kitchen with them right now. Shana was crying softly as Travis clenched his hands, angry at himself for not realizing the pain that this poor kid had been going through for so long right under his nose. Kurai felt back for getting mad at him for his night terrors and Esper was quiet.

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"I'm so sorry to put this all on you... I... I didn't want to burden you all anymore than I already have."

"You haven't been a burden to us at all, Jude." Travis said softly.

"You have to say that, Mr. Bagery. I mean, I just spilled every bit of my emotions on to the table so I mean, now wouldn't be the time to tell me more bad news and stuff-"

Jude was surprised to feel a pair of very strong arms around him, his head against someone's torso. A warm and welcoming hand was placed on his head.

"You've been Esper's friend since we moved here and we have always thought of you as extended family. You are a second son to me, despite the distance you and Esper have had, and I always kept tabs with your mother on anything that happened with you. You are a part of our family, Jude; you'll never be a burden."

Jude's eyes widened, the love and compassion Travis was offering suddenly hitting him like an arrow in the heart. Travis had always been there for him when he felt he couldn't rely on his mother. He could always talk to him and when he was with this family, it was like he never left home...

"I'm sorry..." he said softly, pushing his face into Travis' stomach as he held onto him. "I'm so sorry! I just... I never..."

Travis stroked his hair like he did with his own son. "You're alright, Jude. We're all here for you as a family and individually. We love you, kid."

Jude cried even more. He thought he was cried out but he wasn't. Esper got up and left the room, going outside for some fresh air.

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"Hey." Esper looked up, seeing Kurai. "Mind if I sit?" She shook her head. "What a shithole, huh?"

"Yeah... I could have never known the details of what he had gone through... no one could..."

"Except Penelope."

"I think it was too much for her as well. She never uttered a word."

"Maybe Jude told her not to, you know? It was hard enough using the footage we had of her quick thinking to convince the judge that Dad was right to the will and such; what would hearsay from a goldfish have done?"

"True."

"I feel bad now trying to escape to Grandma's house."

"Me too... Do you think now that he's gotten it off his chest that he can sleep better?"

"I don't think that's how that works..." He sighed and stretched his legs out. "I think I'm so emotionally exhausted that I'll sleep through anything."

"Me too."

"I wish there was something better I could do to make things easier for him."

"I just think listening and caring will help. He's obviously a horder when it comes to feelings. The more he is willing to tell us, the more we should listen."

"How was Uncle Aylin?"

"Good. Feisty as ever. That's how this whole thing got started. He prodded Jude to confess some of his anger and sadness at the home. He said he wants to come visit."