Chapter 8

I wipe my tears as l finish reading the note. Mrs. Frisco hands me a handkerchief and l accept it. After a moment of silence l collect the card, the spectacles and put them in my bag.

I thank Mrs. Frisco and she decides to send me home since l was in no state to take a cab.

At home

"What a nice place you have," Mrs. Frisco says as she walks around adoring every sight, she takes in.

"Thank you," l smile weakly.

She stays for a while to make sure l am fine and later goes back to work when l was starting to lighten up.

Two days later

John hasn't called to check up on me neither has he stepped foot into the apartment. And these past two days l had enrolled Josh into the nearest middle school there was to home and bought a car in order to send Josh to school. The teacher suggested he starts as soon as possible as he was really behind and lucky Josh, he's a learning machine, he will catch up in no time. This l am almost one hundred percent sure. I should start looking for a job just to pass the time something l actually enjoy, I decide to call the Precinct to see if l could get the job l had gotten before the incident.

On the phone

Good afternoon Mr Devon its Andy speaking …thank you sir …I was wondering if the job is still vacant, I could come and start work…. No sir I am fine, its been four months already…. Don't worry sir l will just find something to do for the time being, when can l re-apply again .... that would be too far can't I just get in on the break…. I do not need a year sir I am fine (I unintentionally raised my voice this is exactly what he was looking for instead of hearing him out I hang up because I already know the what he is going to say).

I pick up Josh from school and he seems happy that everything is going back to normal a bit and none of the students knows what happened so they won't show faces full of pity. I suggest we go out for a walk to get to know the place better since we are new here, Josh heads out first and I stay behind to lock the doors. I reach outside and see Josh talking to a girl his age.

"Hie Josh's sister." The little girl says smiling and I respond with huge smile as well. Josh introduces her to me and tells me that they learn together and she's the one who showed him around.

"What a lovely young lady you are," I say to the little girl whose name is Victoria Wagner. She shows us around, we end up having ice-cream and for fun they go the park and enjoy themselves. I sit by the benches watching them as they run around having fun.

"Andy," someone called my name and if l didn't recognize that voice then l must be crazy. I turn around to see John standing there looking all edible in a sky-blue shirt written 'dinner?' and black trousers.

"Is that your way of asking me out for dinner?'' I ask laughing my lungs out. He joins me and says, "Busted!!!"

"I can see Josh has himself a girlfriend," he says it out loud enough for Josh to hear him too. As soon as Josh sees John, they both find their way to each other and they embrace one another tightly.

"Where were you all this time John, my sis really missed you." He says and I cough a bit taken aback by Josh's honesty.

"She did, didn't she?'' he asks Josh smirking looking at me and l am totally engulfed by his eyes. We all get to know each other and I decide we head home just incase Victoria's parents start looking for her. We reach home and Josh goes to his room to start his homework and reading.

"I missed you too, I know it sounds so fake but I really did its just that my dad confiscated both mine and Will's phones so l could not call or text you." John says looking at me.

"lt's fine John its not like you have to text and call me always." I say looking away afraid he might see through the lies. As much as that hurts to say he doesn't have to feel obligated to always check up on me he has already done enough, more than enough for me and my little brother.