Ross Kerrigan (closedbook) wrote in light_of_may, @ 2009-11-12 18:39:00 |
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Entry tags: | #solo, 2009-06-21 |
Happy Father's Day
Who: Ross and his sister Rachel (NPC)
Where: His home in Camelot Place
When: Morning
It was Father's Day and so far Ross wasn't enjoying it. In the past his kids would wake him up with some silly like breakfast in bed. Or there was that one year they got his attention with super soakers, and the following year it was nerf guns. Regardless, each year as a father he was greeted by his little ones with something different, and even if it meant ruining the new bed sheets due to a massive super soaker fight, then so be it.
This year, however, was the first when nothing happened.
There was no fresh coffee already made for him or little gift boxes adorned with ribbons and handmade cards. Not even the sign of someone else existing in his home. Ross woke up alone with no one to say 'Happy Father's Day, Dad!' to him. Did he even qualify to be a dad anymore when he had no kids around to call his own? He tried not to think about it as he dragged himself out of bed and into the kitchen. At first he intended to make some coffee for himself, but to his surprise the tin was completely out. Sighing and shaking his head, Ross reached for the small box of tea that he rarely used. Caffeine was caffeine, right?
While the tea kettle boiled some hot water, Ross found himself looking out the window to spot some protesters outside. He couldn't make out what they were screaming about, but it made Ross close the curtains and immediately walk away. They were far enough to not overwhelm him with emotions, but he knew the unsettling knotting in his gut was due to their emotions and not the fact the water wasn't boiling fast enough.
Once the water was hot enough, he poured it into his mug and began steeping the tea. At that point, the phone went off. Ross perked up a bit, figuring it was one of his siblings on the east coast making the rounds. Sunday mornings were known pretty well for that.
"Hello?"
"Ross! Hey! How're you doing?" It was Rachel, the second youngest of the bunch.
"Oh hey! Doing ok, just making some tea this morning. Yourself?"
"The same. Not much has changed last week. But today's pretty special. Wanted to wish you Happy Father's Day!"
Ross tried not to sigh too heavily on his end of the line, beginning to dunk the tea bag up and down to finish the steeping. Apparently his rushed actions caused the tea bag to leak out tiny leaves. Ross didn't entirely care, and continued to talk to Rachel.
"You really think I should be receiving wishes like that?"
"Come on, Ross, you're a father at heart, and you know that!"
As Rachel continued to talk, Ross smiled slightly at her words, then wondered what the morning would be like if his kids were there. Would they be happy to surprise him in bed as always? Maybe not Chloe, she was too old for bouncing on the bed, but she did make a good cup of coffee. The two siblings continued to talk about father's day with Ross' mind continuing to wonder. He busied himself with enough talking to not even bother sipping the tea yet. Instead he held it in his hand, staring down at it from time to time. Each time he did, the leaves moved about the surface, as if trying to form something. Ross dismissed leaves and kept talking with Rachel. It wasn't until he looked down and finally saw the lucid vision that Ross ceased talking.
He could see it quite clearly; it was of his kids in the living room. They looked to be smiling and giggling about something. It was then that Ross realized he was merely seeing a vision of a silent question he asked. From time to time he forgot about being able to see answers in simple things like tea leaves. Either way, it started the poor man, causing him to drop both the tea mug and phone to the floor. The mug instantly smashed into pieces as hot water splashed everywhere. Rachel was still on the phone, frantically asking her little brother if he was ok.
And he was far from ok. Slumping down onto the floor, Ross wrapped his arms around his legs, pulling them into his chest and he began to sob. As much as he wanted to see the faces of his children, he didn't appreciate the emotional distraught it brought him after wards. Eventually Rachel hung up the phone and left Ross alone in his kitchen to cry. Within several hours he would be able to recompose himself and call her back, probably telling her she didn't need to freak out anymore. Until then, Ross hung his head low and uncomfortably welcomed the painful tears.