DISCLAIMER: I own nothing
Grace had been in this house hundreds of times by now, but she always managed to find an object that she had never seen before. Today her eyes drifted to a bound leather book. She opened it to see a whole heap of family photos; baby photos, birthday photos, Christmas photos and many more.
She noticed how happy they looked. Helen and Will just as in love, Joan just as ditzy, Luke just as…well, Luke, but Kevin, he was different. He looked happy and free, not as bitter as he did now.
It made her feel sad. She couldn't imagine what it must be like, to lose your passion. She paused on a family photo. Helen and Will were hugging a 15-year-old Kevin, who was decked out in baseball gear, Luke was sulking in the background, with his head in a book, and Joan was poking a face at the camera.
She quickly closed the book when she heard Kevin roll up behind her.
"That was the state junior championships. We had just won the semi-final. God, that was a good day," he said quietly.
For the next couple of hours, they flicked through photo albums, and Kevin explained them all to her. Grace suddenly felt a huge connection. He wasn't the type of person she usually liked; he was a stereotypical high school jock. She greatly opposed to them. But now she was seeing the different side; the passionate, desperate side. As Kevin pointed out old friends and family, Grace realised there was more to people like Kevin, but then again, it could have just been some of his terrible past experiences that had changed him. She couldn't be sure.
The got to the final album and proceeded to look through it. The Girardi's were now more like what they looked like now, indicating the photos were fairly recent. On the third page, they came to a Kevin next to a boy. They were standing on a front lawn, dressed in their baseball gear. Grace heard Kevin take a quick intake of air.
"What is it?" she asked.
Kevin gave out a bit of a laugh, and said "That was the day of the accident."
Grace could tell he was having trouble keeping his voice from cracking.
"Andy came over before the game. We were so excited. This was our last game before we were going off to play for Arizona. We won by the way," said Kevin in a very small voice.
They turned the page, and this time Kevin gave out an audible gasp. There was two photos. They were of Kevin. They were taken at the hospital. He had a gash to his head, and a brace around his neck. There were a couple more of these photos on the next few pages.
"I've never seen these…" said Kevin with eyes welling up with tears.
Grace saw a tear run down his face. Without thinking, she slid over to him, and put her arms around his neck. He didn't try to move them. He just sat there, not exactly crying, but not hiding his tears his tears.
It took about a minute before Kevin pulled away and wiped his tears. "I'm sorry," he said helplessly.
"It's OK; I understand it must be hard."
"Yeah, it can be. I feel so stupid, crying and all," said Kevin.
"It's OK, I can't stop crying sometimes when my mum drinks," replied Grace, unwillingly telling Kevin one of her most private secrets.
Kevin gave a half laugh. "I guess alcohol messed us up pretty bad hey?" Grace returned the half laugh as she felt a tear roll down her cheek, "Yeah, it did."
They gave each other another small hug just a Joan walked in the door.
Well, that's chapter 5. What did you think? I think you should know where this is going now. More to come soon!