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Lines of Devotion Chapter three Ending;
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/Jean/
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My mother and father built a business from the ground up and we dedicated it to people in need of proper medical equipment. We worked with people and saved many lives however it wasn't enough to save them. The news came to my private school that a car accident had taken my mother and father, so I rushed home but I was only met by grim faces. The butlers and maids held their pain in when they saw me but I was cultivated to take over my family. Not like this, I tried to be strong but it was so hard I cried for weeks without a breather. I threw my fist at the walls and mirrors until my fists bled I was spiraling in so much pain that I wanted it all to stop. But ultimately, I knew I was being childish eventually I found a way to cope. When I collected myself to be presentable I had my butlers and maids help me learn our family business and our state of affairs. At the age of twelve, I was able to speed up our production and progress by effectively finding flaws in our system the more I learned. I was born a genius but I never understood what that truly meant till now where I must secure my family's legacy.
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As I grew older and learned everything I could about our business I was often encouraged or urged to walk into the office. But I never could face those employees or handle their sorrow and pain about my parents. So I only went at night to collect the daily reports when everyone had gone home. Closing myself off from the world was my best and worst idea but I couldn't handle people. However, one night when I was collecting the reports an employee had come in from the rain. My eyes seemed to be captivated by him as I have never seen another person before.
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Dan; " How did you get up here this floor is off-limits."
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His voice was so heavy I could see clearly how much pain he has gone through. His story must have been tragic.
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Jean; " I work here well technically I run this business."
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Dan; " Nice one pal but the boss doesn't come here ever. I'm gonna have to ask you to show some id before I escort you off-premises."
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I couldn't help how I acted or responded I felt so different that I felt like I was chasing a dream.
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Jean; "Here's my id...But I just say this floor is security is protected with state of the art finger scanners. No one may enter this floor without the credentials."
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Dan; " Shit I'm so sorry."
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Jean; " It's alright happens sometimes, since I feel responsible how about I buy you a beer."
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Dan; " That won't be necessary I should be the one to offer, I just made an ass out of myself Jesus."
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Jean; " I'll take it and we can meet at Genies lounge tomorrow at 10."
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I didn't let him respond as I headed outside with reports in hand, I didn't know this man but I felt connected to him. Perhaps because I sensed a similar pain inside of him that I once felt, but I wanna chase this feeling. I hope things work out properly going forward. I came an hour early to the lounge and for the first time I felt nervous, I never had a date before since I secluded myself. And I sure this isn't one but I heard this is what it feels like, I wish I could explain this connection I feel with him. After twenty minutes he showed up in more casual attire, I suppose we both had the idea to come early. I could see his nervousness he's a fidgety one it seems after he sat down we simply drank and talked. Eventually, we talked about our pasts and our current life which lead to him asking me why I decided not to show up in the office. He told me how many people would talk about my parents and how sad they are on the news, it's been so long but people still mourn my parents.
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I suppose I was being too selfish with my withdrawal from the world. But I was afraid of so many things that it just felt best to stay hidden and forgotten one day. Dan was starting to get the buzz from our drinking he decided to make it a drinking contest and if he won I would make an appearance at work. However, if I won I could make a single request of course drinking was easy for me since I started much younger. Looking for ways to feel numb through the pain and this was listed as the most effective so I agreed to his game. That night we drank late into the night surprisingly enough Dan could also drink and hold his own, which lead to us both being overly intoxicated. We decided to call it a tie and head home but I lived too far so I decided to go with Dan to his home. Even intoxicated I could still process things properly and Dan's house was a lonely place. Pictures covered in dust long forgotten by this man, it's almost like every picture is a memory he has tried to forget. And all those memories are wounds he hasn't opened yet to deal with, I feel a similarity to that since I have yet to deal with mine.
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When he showed me the guest room I collapsed immediately on the bed thinking about everything that happened. We talked so much it's the first time I had someone other than butlers and maids to speak with, but I don't regret it at least. I awoke to the smell of burnt eggs and overcooked bacon with black coffee, the gesture was well received by me but unedible. So I decided we could head out to grab breakfast that's when I saw a picture well kept, it stood out so clearly to me that I couldn't resist asking.
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Jean; "Who is She.?"
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Dan; " My..... daughter she was scheduled for her sixth surgery to try and remove the tumor. Apparently, it has only gotten smaller with each attempt they made. She protested and told me to just let her live freely to the end. But I was selfish and I wanted her to live longer. We argued and she ran away that night I haven't heard from her in years...."
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Jean; " I am so sorry Dan."
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I had a glimpse of his pain and suffering a glimpse that hurt me deeply. I couldn't find the words or a way to help him I felt helpless.
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Dan; " My wife blamed me and we ended up getting divorced. I have to agree with her I am to blame I shouldn't have been selfish, it was her life to live. But she was my kid so it was so hard for me to just accept it you know. I just wanted her to live"
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We didn't make it to breakfast Dan broke down pouring his heart out and I just held him. I couldn't stop my tears from falling as I heard his regrets and so much more. So I held him and let him finally let it all out. After the sun was slowly going down Dan finally found a way to collect himself so I helped him up and decided to take him to Genies lounge. That's where we first met Cait and Astra, Dan warmed up to Cait more she was like his second child. He treated her like any father would a child, I was more like the brother who always had to be right and tell her the correct way to do things. Astra was the strange one her face held so much pain that once more I felt connected to someone because of pain. But Astra was stronger than me and even Dan, and that was her problem which she didn't even notice. People who are this strong are used to being broken so they often fail to see what's in front of them. And Astra had closed her world off and chose Cait as her world because she had no one else.
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One was self-destructive trying to find her peace and way in life.
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The other was so strong she needed someone to let her be weak with, so she could do what Dan did with me. Pour their hearts out to someone, I hope I can protect them going forward.
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