Daddy Loves You
Chapter Two: Coping With Loss
AN: So I'm not one for really short chapters. I ramble on for ages and ages but surprisingly, here I am writing short chapters. They'll probably get longer later on. These are like the introductory chapters. Chapter three may be longer, just depending how where it goes.
Two Weeks Later
"Hey, John. I heard about Mary. I'm sorry, mate." David, one of John's old rugby pals says solemnly.
"Thanks, mate. Um, the funeral is on Friday, can you make it?"
"Yeah, of course, mate. I'll be there. Don't you worry about that. I'll bring Sophie and the girls too."
"Thanks, Dave. I could really do with my friends now."
"So what about the house then? I heard that you're selling up."
"Yeah, I am. I can't stand the quiet anymore, it's deafening. Everything there reminds me of Mary and it's just … too much." John replies, tears spilling from his eyes. "I'm sorry, I'm being a dick."
"Na, mate. You lost your wife on a day that was supposed to be amazing. It's understandable. I'd be in pieces if it had been my Soph. This is normal. And it's best to get it out, mate." Dave replies, throwing an arm around John's shoulders.
"Thanks, Dave. I appreciate it." John smiles sadly, wiping away the tears.
"No worries, Johnny. So where is the little'un then?"
"Ariana's with my mum. I had to get away from her. She reminds me too much of Mary. I couldn't look at her … I'm a terrible father, aren't I?"
"No, you ain't, Johnny. You're still trying to deal with what's happened. Sophie says that PTSD is very common when someone's experienced a traumatic event. I mean, this ain't like in Afghanistan obviously, but it's still traumatic for those involved. A lot of people get over it eventually, some people never do though; they just deal with it. As long as you don't become a psycho then it's all good." Dave says and smiles at the last sentence.
"Yeah, I think I'm good on the psycho front there, Dave."
"Alright then. But be warned, if bodies start turning up with injuries that could only have been done by an army doctor, I'll have to call police, mate." Dave smiles.
"Ha, okay then, Dave. Anyway, I better get off. I'll see ya Friday, yeah."
"No worries, mate."
John waves his friend goodbye before leaving the pub.
Warning: Next up is the funeral and he's gonna be a tear jerker. Also there's going to be a rewrite of series one episode one. Not all of it as that would take too long but some mentions xxxx