Author's Note: Hello once more! I intorduce ot you chapter two! Anyway, hope y'all enjoy!
Gilbert
"Hey, you're up late." Gilbert's voice is unique. It's that kind of voice that belongs to only him; you really can't confuse it with someone else's. It's deep and raspy, most likely vocal fry from crying and screaming to much as a child, and just commands your attention honestly.
"I. . . D-d-don't feel well.." Ludwig stutters. He started stuttering after the accident; although the doctors say it's psychological rather than a physical injury. Gilbert sighs and walks over to him, placing the back of his hand on his forehead.
"You don't have a fever. . . Why are you trying to get out of going to school? You like school."
"The other kids m-make fun of me. . . And y-you…" Gilbert frowns and kneels down to match Ludwig's height a little better.
"What do they say?"
"They called me a cyclops, a-a-and you a rat…" Wow these kids are brutal.
"Well, Are you a cyclops?"
"No…"
"Am I rat?"
"No…"
"So they are retarded, tell that to them. They obviously can't tell the difference between humans, animals, and fantasy creatures." This causes Ludwig to smile and laugh a bit. Gilbert stands up and sighs. Mission accomplished. "Alright, hurry up and eat breakfast, we are going to be late."
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-words-more-words-
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Late they were indeed… Well, at least later than normal. Gilbert has to drop Ludwig off at the school early because well, he works at the high school, and they start at similar times. Not to mention it is a twenty minute drive away from Rosewood. Ludwig tries to get out of school still on the drive there but, school is important, so Gilbert has him go.
Now, Malibu Point (The high school Gilbert works at) is not a private school, nor is it very big. It has a fancy name, yes, but that's about it. Sometimes, (all the time actually) when it rains, parts of the roof will fall to the tile…. They just put trash cans under those leaks… Their textbooks were published in the 90s and they definitely don't have enough books, teachers, classrooms, or technology for all the kids that attend the school. Hell, in Gilbert's first block, he has 45 kids. 45! And only 37 desks… The rest of the kids sit at one of those white folding tables in the back.
Gilbert usually arrives at the school thirty minutes before class starts, not only because arriving early looks good, but also to see who he would call, the greatest friend he's ever had.
Anya, his 'greatest friend', was born in St. Petersburg, Russia but moved to Estonia when she was five, then to Arizona when she was fourteen. She knows english quite well actually; she decided to major in it and graduated top of her class. Now, she's the high school's sophomore and senior english teacher - Honors and AP of course. And, since the history and language classes are in the same wing of the school, Anya and Gilbert's classrooms are right next to each other.
"Wow you're late. I was just about to text you to see if you were okay." Anya says softly as Gilbert enters her classroom and takes a seat at one of the desk in the front row.
"Ludwig didn't want to go to school today so he was being extra slow."
"I thought he liked school."
"He does. . . But I guess these older kids are messing with him and calling him names." Anya frowns slightly.
"Poor kid. . ."
Before they can say anything else the bell rings, marking the beginning of the first class. They smile at each other as Gilbert stands and walks to the classroom next door. His first class of the day is U.S history, followed by another U.S history class, lunch, world history then a western civilization class. All fun subjects really. To Gilbert, this doesn't feel like work; he loves lecturing people about the finer points of history so this a great gig for him. Getting paid to do something you like? Sign me up.
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Another seemingly smooth day passes until Gilbert gets a call from Rosewood at around 2:45, just 15 minutes before school ends for the elementary, and 25 minutes before school ends for the high school. Of course he is unable to listen to the message left until around 3:15
"Good afternoon Mr. Beilschmidt, I hope this message finds you doing well. This is Jessica from the Rosewood elementary front office, and I'm calling to inform you that Ludwig has to stay after school today to serve detention with his homeroom teacher. It will only last an hour though, so he can be picked up at 4:00. Have a great evening."
. . . What? Ludwig? Detention? There must be some mistake. . .
Gilbert quickly gathers his things and makes his way to the room next door.
"Anya, we have to go to the elementary school, Ludwig got detention."
"Detention?! What did he do? Oh poor boy…"
"Come on let's go save him!" Anya quickly gathers her things and they both head out to Gilbert's car. Gilbert always takes her home with him after school; she helps watch Ludwig, especially when Gilbert has to work nights.
Once they get to Rosewood, Jessica points them in the direction of Ludwig's homeroom. Sadly though it is already four once they enter the classroom. Poor Ludwig has already served his sentence. The teacher is talking to Ludwig and another boy his age. She stops and looks at Gilbert and Anya.
"Oh, there's no need to worry. These boys are not in trouble, I just had to call it detention to please Principal Zwingli's no tolerance policy. I'm actually quite proud of them, standing up to bullies." The teacher says. And in a voice Gilbert thinks is the softest he's ever heard. He takes a moment, taking in her looks. Thin but a little shapely, brown wavy hair that reaches her shoulders, purple eyes, flawless skin save a few freckles on her cheeks and nose. . . Adorable. . .
"What happened?" Anya asks, snapping Gilbert out of his daze.
"Well, Ludwig here was being bullied by some older kids and Peter stepped up and helped. They got in trouble though, because Principal Zwingli caught them mouthing off a bit to the older kids. No harm though, we mostly had fun in here. They shouldn't be punished for standing up to bullies." Gilbert smiles at Ludwig. Yes! Standing up for himself? That's great! Even if he needed a friend next to him that's still an improvement.
The classroom door opens to reveal a woman in her mid-forties. She has shaggy brown hair and green eyes, with what looks like a band-aid over the bridge of her nose. She sighs once her eyes fall on the boys.
"What did he do this time." Oh, she has an Australian accent. Not something you hear everyday.
"Oh, don't worry Jackie, Peter is fine. Thank you for coming to pick him up, I swore Alfred was free today."
"It's okay Madison, I know Alfred can be a little flaky. . . Peter, come on lets go I have dinner waiting."
Peter stands, hugs Madison, high-fives Ludwig, then walks out of the classroom with his mother.
"Sorry about that. Peter is my little brother. Anyway, I'm sorry for all the trouble this apparent detention might have caused you." Madison says while looking at Gilbert. He's a little amazed that she's keeping eye contact with him. Most people are freaked out by his eyes.
"You're fine. I'm glad everything is okay." Gilbert responds. Madison smiles, not because Gilbert said everything was alright, but because his voice is just wonderful. She could honestly listen to it all day. And his looks! Exotic yet attractive. Where has this man been hiding her whole life? He doesn't even look that old for what he must be. . . He has to at least be thirty right?
"Great! Well, I'll see you on Monday Ludwig."
"See you Monday, Ms. Kirkland." Ms. Kirkland? 'Well, she's not married.' Is Gilbert's first thought. And he's immediately guilty about it. . . He's already been married, started a life, had a kid. . . He doesn't have to do it again. . .
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-words-more-words-
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The kids are with Elizaveta for the weekend. . . What now?
The house is empty, quiet. . . He can't shake this feeling that she's going to steal them away and fly back to Chicago - the place she decided to move to once Roderich filed for a divorce.
Roderich sighs and starts his car. Not even the barely audible sound of his tesla starting can cheer him up. Hopefully just going out will make him feel better. There is this nice bar he's been wanting to go to so. . . What better time than now? The kids aren't home, he's single. . . Might as well right? Nothing to lose!
The area Roderich lives is nice, did I mention this already? He bought the house him and the kids live in for eight million dollars. (I know, you're probably thinking, Narrator, doesn't Roderich work as a paralegal? Where did he get the money to buy such an expensive and extravagant house? Well the answer dear reader is rich parents. He's got a lot of family money.) He was born in New York, upstate, and had lived there all his life until Elizaveta wanted to move to Arizona because of the relatives she has there. Now, he is raising his family in North Scottsdale and honestly. . . He really likes it in Arizona.
But know it's becoming painful. . . A lot of bad things have happened here, and his good memories are mixing with the bad ones. . . Maybe he should just move back to New York. His parents would be happy to see their grandchildren more often. . . His mother can watch them and he could go back to school and become a partner for some law office instead of a paralegal. . . That sounds really appealing actually. . . Maybe he'll call his mother tomorrow and run it by her. He already knows she'll love the idea.
Roderich sits in his car for ten minutes before hyping himself up enough to walk into this pretty decent looking bar alone. There isn't too many people here, but it is a bit early he might have arrived before the actual rush. Good. He walks in and smiles a bit, it actually looks nice in here. . . And if Roderich approves you know it must be nice.
He decides to sit at the bar. At the end of course, kind of hidden from the front door and most of the tables. He's a little awkward don't judge him. There isn't that many people here anyway. . . A waitress walks up to him, smiling.
"Good evening sir, has anyone helped you yet?" She asks.
"Uh, no. ."
"Oh, well I can get you something to drink if you'd like."
"Yea sure, um. . . Do you have spirte?" Yes, ladies and gents, Roderich went to a bar to drink sprite.
"Yes we do, I'll bring some out!" She immediately disappears into the back. Sighing, Roderich puts some papers down on the bar. He has to read through this case. I mean, he could have just done this at home with a can of sprite but. . . He wanted to go out for some reason. . . Like something calling to him really.
"Well, if it isn't Roderich Edelstein. Alone in Arizona?" Roderich doesn't even have to look up to know whose voice that is. Gilbert? He looks up and confirms that yes, Gilbert himself is standing in front of him. . . So many emotions pass through Roderich at once; shock, anxiety, sadness, joy, excitedness, relief. . .
"Gilbert? Oh my God. . . You live in Arizona?" But he already knew he lived here, since finding out he worked at one of the high schools. He was just so shocked.
"Yup, moved out here four years ago. It's not as cold as New York. What are you doing in Az?"
"I live here too. . . Moved here when my third daughter was born." He is so happy to see Gilbert. They haven't seen each other in over seven years! And to be in the same state randomly? My, my, fate couldn't be any clearer.
"It's been so long since I've seen you. How have you been?" Roderich asks. Gilbert sets a glass down and looks up at Roderich.
"You have no idea do you."
" . . . What?"
"That's what I thought. . . You're wife's a fucking bitch, man." Gilbert laughs a bit but Roderich knows it's more of an irritated one than a happy one.
"Yeah, tell me about. . . That's why it's Ex-wife now." Gilbert gasps.
"Wow. I never thought you'd have the balls to leave her."
"Hey! I have plenty. . . Balls…"
"Sure" Gilbert laughs. "But seriously. . . You've missed a lot. And I tried reaching out to you but I guess Elizaveta was able to get to it before you and not tell you. . . I thought something like that must have happened since it seems so unlike you to ignore us like that." Roderich instantly feels relief that Gilbert is taking this so well. . . but that is so him. He just understands things, he doesn't go assuming the worst of people like Roderich does often times. . . He almost lights up and asks about Louise before remembering the bench.
"What happened to Louise. . ." He asks softly. Gilbert looks down and smiles. Oh shit. . . If he's smiling that means it still really hurts him.
"Umm. . . I get off in like thirty minutes. We can talk about it then, yeah?" Roderich nods.
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The last place Roderich ever thought he would be was Glendale, not to mention in Gilbert's house. . . But here he is! It's a small house, in an. . . Okay neighborhood. . . Roderich feels weird leaving a tesla parked outside. . .
They walk into the house and Gilbert offers him something to drink, and Roderich says water is fine. Gilbert disappears into the kitchen, leaving Roderich alone in the living room. A picture of Gilbert, Louise and Ludwig catches his eye. He picks it up and sighs. Louise was so beautiful. Long blonde hair, blue eyes, soft face. . . Her son looks a lot like her. He never got to say goodbye to her. . . Although, he's sure her husband and son feel the same way.
Someone coming down the stairs makes Roderich look up. He was foolishly half-expecting it to be Louise. It is a woman though. . . Has Gilbert moved on already?! He already has another woman living here? What?
"He didn't give you much trouble did he?" Gilbert says as he walks back into the room handing Roderich a bottle of water.
"A perfect angel, everytime." Anya says, sitting on the floor in front of the couch.
"Roderich, this is my friend/co-worker/babysitter Anya. Anya, this is Roderich an old friend of mine."
With introductions and bad assumptions aside, Gilbert finally starts the story that Roderich so desperately wants to know. What happened to Louise.
"We went to a friends house on New Years eve, and started driving back around one in the morning. Umm. . . This car going so much faster than it should have been, the doctors said it was probably going eighty miles and hour; blew through a red light and hit the side of our car. Of course on the side Louise and Ludwig were on."
"What happened to the person that hit you?" Roderich asks.
"That's the best part. No idea. This person just kept on going, like nothing happened. Meanwhile, my wife and son are slowly dying and the only person who had enough mobility to call someone was knocked the fuck out. I didn't even wake up until someone was pulling me out of the car. They told me by that time, we were there for about an hour and half." Roderich covers his mouth with his hand. . . He can't even imagine. . . What it must be like. Gilbert looks down and shakily sighs.
"She could have lived if we got help sooner. . . If I wasn't knocked unconscious. . . We're even lucky that Ludwig survived. . ." Anya sits next to Gilbert and puts an arm around him. "Anyway. . . I immediately rushed to them both once I was fully aware of what happened, and I thought it was the last time I would see either of them. Ludwig had already passed out from blood loss but Louise was still awake. She was so calm, like nothing happened. I was next to her the whole ride to the hospital. I think we both knew she wouldn't make it, which sounds dark, but that's what we thought. And that's what happened. . . That was two years ago."
". . . I'm so sorry, Gilbert. . . I wish I could have been there for you. I had no idea…" Roderich says sadly.
"It's okay. You didn't know. Elizaveta kept it from you for a reason." Before Roderich could say anything, both Anya and Gilbert look at the stairs. Roderich turns to look and sees Ludwig. My, he sure does look like his mother, he has that same hair and eyes. .. . Eye? Oh. . .
"Are you guys having a party without m-m-me?" Ludwig says. Gilbert smiles.
"Would you be mad if I said yes." He answers. Ludwig smiles and shakes his head.
"No. I'm tired."
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One the drive back home Roderich feels tears leave his eyes. It's not fair what happened to them. To Louise. To that sweet boy. Speaking of the boy . . . Roderich feels ultra bad. Not only did his mother die but now he has to live with a slightly disfigured face. It's not crazy bad, but he does have a large scar and what looks like burn scarring around his left eye. Gilbert says the doctors gave him an eyepatch to cover his left eye, since it went blind and changed to an ice blue color, but Ludwig didn't want to be a pirate. Which made everyone laugh except Roderich. It just. . . Touches to close to home for him. . . He has lost a child. His youngest daughter. . . She was diagnosed with terminal cancer at the age of two. . .She died at the age of three, just six months after her diagnoses. . . But Roderich doesn't talk about it. He isn't ready to talk about it.
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Author's Second Note: P.S. the high school"s crappy-ness is based off of the high school I went to. . . Yeah. . . Yikes lol. And for those of you who might not be aware, yes, kids do get detention for calling each other names lol. My brother got detention once for calling one of his friends a 'stupid stick'. . . There is a huge no tolerance policy were I live.