Voices

c h a p t e r 3 0 : f o r w a r d

S a m

"But tell me why you don't put up a fight. You might've left but you're stuck in my mind." - Muriel. Alex G

It doesn't matter

If you've left

If you're gone for good.

And I may not be perfect

And I may be broken and bruised

But I believe that if we're meant to be

Our paths will cross again

And the memories of you

Will be playing in my mind on replay

Until we meet again.

*

We've all made mistakes, done things we could change, done things we regret. But we've all also made memories, things we wish we could go back to, things we wish we could rewind and replay.

And, I guess, Lou will be just that.

She'll be the one who got away.

And you couldn't do anything to stop it.

"Sam."

My ears perk up at the sound of my name. "Yes, Mum?"

"I'm free now. What is it you wanted to tell me?"

I heave a tired sigh. "I think it's best if Dad was here as well."

Her eyebrows furrow in confusion. "I'm worried now, Sam. What do you want to tell us? What's so important that you have to wait for Dad?"

I shake my head. "It's nothing to worry about, Mum. I promise. I just don't want to have to repeat myself twice."

She nods. "Okay, hun. If you insist. I trust you. Tonight then."

"Yeah, tonight."

*

Surprisingly, Dad came home early from work today. I wonder if Mum pestered him to do so or if he was actually planning on doing so. It doesn't matter now, does it? It doesn't matter whether Dad comes home early or late. I'm going to have to tell them eventually. Postponing it won't help me at all. If anything, it's just going to make me feel more nervous.

"Sandy, could you go play with your sister upstairs?" Mum tells my brother softly.

"Why can't I stay here?" he protests, sulking.

"Because your brother, your dad and I have some things to talk about."

"Why can't I stay?" he asks again.

"It's adult talk, Sandy. You wouldn't understand."

"You treat me like a baby. I'm nine years old already! I can understand."

I chuckle. "Sandy, please just go up with Stacey. I'll come up and get you as soon as I'm done."

"Fine," he says reluctantly, running up the stairs and towards Stacey's room.

It's always so hard to get him out of the room in these kinds of situations. I wonder if I was like that when I was his age.

So, what was it you wanted to tell us?" Dad asks, watching as Mum sits beside him on the sofa.