Chapter Two

The Gathering

Hey guys, here the second chapter of Courage, I seem to be in writing mode at the minute which is good because I break up soon so I can get a lot more writing done for you all. Thank you for the reviews and lovely PMs I have received from the first chapter. I am so happy. Also thank you to everyone who has followed and favourited my story I really appreciate it. Anyways enjoy...

"Hey Kiddo," It was Great Uncle Sean. "How's your grandma holding up?"

"Ok, I guess," I said stepping aside to let him inside. It was the day after I had found the DVD and as planned everyone had turned up, everyone except my Granda and I had a horrible feeling that he was never going to turn up. Not even with the chance to see his eldest child, his only daughter once again. I knew that if Lana had videoed it, Jane most definitely be.

"Where's she at?" Sean asked, pulling me out of my daydream.

"In the kitchen, where else would she be?" I said with a little laugh, trying to lighten the mood. I had no idea why but I nervous to watch the video.

"True," He said simply, "Do you mind if I just walk through?" We were at Maura's house, where I spent most of my time. I may have lived with my Ma but I preferred to be here with my Grandma and usually my Dad. It felt right. Yet I had no idea who my cousins were, I barely knew Maura or Jane. Pictures were the only clue that they were part of my life and I couldn't understand why.

"It's more your house than mine," I said. Sean must have sense my nerves because he rested his hand on my shoulder.

"It'll be fine," he said, giving my shoulder a gentle squeeze. I just nodded and he walked through to the living room. Following him through, I stopped in the doorway and leaned on the frame. My eyes staring at the picture that was placed on the coffee table, the way it always did. Two women were in the picture staring back at me. They were captured in a hug, smiling and laughing. On the right was a dark haired woman, who was very tall and very skinny. Her hair in gentle curls that were spiralling out of control yet in a way that still made her look beautiful. In her arms, a smaller woman, in a beautiful blue dress, yet at that time nothing seemed to matter but the woman she held tightly as if scared to let go. He wavy but neatly placed hair. Hung at her shoulders but half of it was unable to be seen because the other woman had wrapped her arms around the beautiful woman never wanting to let go.

As I looked up, Sean had captured Grandma in a similar hug and I couldn't help but let the right corner of my mouth curve up in a smile. Sean really loved my Grandma and that was all I could ask for but my Granda should be here with us to watch the video. Was he even in them? Did Lana get to see him in the last year before she took her own life? Why did she take her own life?

Through my thoughts I hadn't noticed Grandma return hand in hand with her husband, Sean.

"Should we start?" She asked.

"Granda isn't here yet," I whispered.

"TJ, you have to bear in mind, that you're Granda might not come at all." Grandma reminded me. As if I could forget.

"He said he would come, and I believe he will," I argued yet still in a whispery voice.

"Ok, let's give him a couple more minutes," Sean suggested. I nodded before walking forwards and picking up the picture of the two women.

"This is Jane and Maura isn't it?" I asked, looking up. My Dad just nodded. "What happened to them?"

"The video will explain that TJ, that's why we're starting so early so you can get all the answers quickly," Ma explained, "we haven't told you for fourteen years so now you get all the answers you want for the girl herself."

"But..." I was cut off by the door. "That'll be Granda, I'll get it."

I practically ran at the door and went on my toes to look through the peep hole and saw a man a recognized. I pulled the door open and jumped at him, wrapping my arms round him, just like Grandma was with Sean and Jane was with Maura. "Hey Granda, I'm so glad you could come."

"Hey TJ, glad you invited me, sorry I'm late."

"Don't worry about it." I led him inside with my right hand in his left. I led him all the way to the living room. Uncle Frankie immediately stood up and shook Granda's hand.

"Hey Pop," he said.

"Good to see you again, Frankie."

Then Dad stood up and shook Granda's hand. "Nice to see you again Dad, it's been a while."

"Sorry Tommy, I was out of town." Then he saw Ma. "Lydia."

"Frank." The friction between them was the most uncomfortable experience of my life. I knew all about what had happened between them fourteen years ago. We didn't talk about it much but Frankie had accidentally let it slip and I promised not to say anything to Ma.

That's when Grandma came over and wrapped her arms around Granda, "Hey Frank," she whispered in his shoulder, "I'm glad you came." Her words held truth in them and I knew that she was generally happy to see him again, despite the divorce. When she pulled away she said, "Should we get this started then?" I looked at Uncle Barry, who nodded nervously. Then I turned to Uncle Vince, who sighed before nodding. Grandma Constance nodded then started to fidget with her hands. Sean nodded and both Dad and Uncle Frankie nodded. Granda then squeezed my hand and I ran to the DVD player, I took the first disc out and pushed it into the DVD player.

I ran over to Dad and he put his arm over my shoulder as an image of Lana appeared...

So now it begins, where will I go next? Well you'll just have to stick around to find out... I know I'm evil :D