Nicki hesitated before gently tapping her hand on Tom's front door she knew Tom was a relatively private man. She glanced through the living room window, the curtains drawn shut. She bit down onto her bottom lip; she didn't know how Tom would be not after earlier.
'Nicki...Hi' Tom mumbled pulling the door open to allow a small gap his body filling it.
'I just wanted to check you OK' Nicki admitted, observing Tom's frown turn into an almost smile. Tom enjoyed spending his time with Nicki. She was the only one who seemed to understand properlly what he was going through. No matter what happened she always seemed to be by his side, no matter how bad things got.
'Come in' Tom opened the door further allowing Nicki to step inside. His earlier negative outlook seeming to have changed.
'I was just making a cup of tea would you like one?' Tom offered heading through to the kitchen.
'Would love one' Nicki nodded. Tom began placing down two mugs and flicking the kettle on.
'What did Michael say?' Nicki questioned as she nursed her cup of tea.
'Stress and he understood and it was best to take the rest of the week of work' Tom replied sipping on the tea. 'It could have been a lot worse, I'm lucky' Tom continued bowing his head.
'Yeah...' Nicki mumbled.
'Honestly Nicki, I can't thank you enough If you didn't stop me god knows what I would have done' Tom whispered, turning his face away in shame.
'Tom, we all get stressed and I know what Kyle Stacks like' Nicki nodded completely understanding Tom's earlier actions.
'It's really hard at the moment...Harder than I expected-'
'Ring'
'Ring'
'I'll better go get that' Tom sighed, getting up from the chair and heading towards the small table in the hallway which held the house phone on top. Tom placed his hand down on the phone pressed accept and placing it up to his ear.
'Hello?' Tom questioned.
'Yes. Yes' Tom spoke.
'That's great, he's doing OK?'
'Yes, yes medicine'
'Yes'
'Thank you!'
Tom practically jumped up and down in excitement dropping the phone down into the holder and sprinting back through to the kitchen. Waving his arms around frantically.
'Good news?' Nicki beamed, looking at the glow from Tom's face.
'Josh, he can come home either tomorrow or the day after! He's doing really well'
Tom cheered wrapping an arm around Nicki which left her in surprise. But she didn't mind she wrapped her arm around Tom smiling as she did so.
'I can't believe it' Tom stepped backwards buzzing with excitement.
'I'm going to go get him that game console he wanted tomorrow' Tom cheered.
'Is that the time, I'll better be going' Nicki observed her watch dreading the pile of marking in her boot which waited for the night ahead.
'Oh let me get your coat' Tom smiled reaching up and taking Nicki's coat before laying it in her arms.
'I'm really happy Tom' Nicki smiled pulling her arms into the coats sleeves.
'One thing Nicki' Tom cleared his throat.
'I can't thank you enough, for everything you've done for Josh and me... I don't know what...' Tom stutters.
'It's no problem at all, you're a nice man Tom' Nicki nodded, with that she opened the front door and stepped out into the cold night. Turning back and smiling at Tom before slipping into the driver's seat.
Tom felt strange in the matter of a day he had gone from rock bottom to sky high. He wiggled his hips as he entered the lounge, slumping down onto the large sofa and flicking through the channels.
His smile faded however, what if it all went wrong again? What if Josh didn't take his medicine again? What if he doesn't do what's right...? Tom shook his head he didn't want to feel like this but he knew it wasn't going to be plain sailing. But like Tom did best he knew he could get through it help Josh get through it... The pair had been through so much together that wasn't about to end now.
Tom knew he would do what it took to help Josh.
'Josh son come here' Tom smiled wrapping his arm around his son. His son didn't respond he stood on the doorstep in total silence.
'Come in then Josh' Tom smiled taking hold of Josh's bag. Josh continued to stare at his father.
'I can't live here, not with you' Josh whispered stepping closer towards his dad.
'Josh, what do you mean?' Tom asked frantically trying to place his hand on Josh's back.
'Goodbye Dad I don't want to see you again' Josh whispered before in front of Tom's eyes disappearing. Vanishing right in front of his eyes. 'Josh don't leave me...'
Tom jolted his body up, his hands clammy his brow sweating. He panted, his heart beat rocketing. He tried to calm himself.
'Just a bad dream' Tom nodded propping his body up on the sofa and placing his hands on his clammy face.
'Just a bad dream...'
Well that was chapter 4! What do you guys think? Please leave me a review suggestions welcome:).
