By the time Lucy and Audrey returned home, it was already 7pm. They had stopped off at the local park on the way back from getting a late lunch.
"There isn't anything a cup of tea of a nice nature walk can't fix." Audrey would say, although Lucy could think of a few things. Not that she would every say this out loud, though.
Not now.
Audrey grabbed hold of Lucy's hand as they crossed the road infront of their house. Well, not their house, Audrey's friend's house.
Audrey and Lucy had been staying at Caoimhe Mitchell's house, a close friend of Audrey's since primary school. Caoimhe had insisted that she and Lucy stay with her for has long as they needed, and she wouldn't take no for an answer. Lucy liked Caoimhe, they both share a common interest in art. She worked for a famous advertising company, putting her artistic skills to good use.
Audrey and Lucy let themselves into the house, with the extra key they were given, undressed from their outdoor wear and made their way into the kitchen. Caoimhe's house was small, but Lucy didn't mind. Infact, she preferred small houses. They were cosy, and always made you feel sleepy when you were in one, but in a good way.
Caoimhe worked late tonight, so she wouldn't be home for another few hours, Lucy noted. Audrey let out a loud yawn, and stretched until she was up on her tip-toes. Looking briefly at the analogue clock hanging from above the door, she let out a gasp,
"Oh my, is that the time already?" She sighed, and made her way to the kettle on one of the counter tops. Lifiting it from the latch, she brought it over to the sink and filled it partially with water, "I'm making tea, you want some Luce?" She inquired, stifling another yawn.
"Yes, please," Lucy replied, as she took a seat on the circular kitchen table. She traced a finger along the linen on the tablecloth, letting her thoughts wander. It was something of a habit she has developed as of late, daydreaming. She would find herself sitting in class, trying as best as she could to listen to whatever the teacher was explaining. But it didn't matter if it was some dull math equation, or the story of Henry the 8ths wives, she just couldn't pay attention. She didn't get in trouble though, instead, she was given a little bit more time off school. And that is when she was referred onto a children's psychologist.
The first session she didn't speak at all. Her psychiatrist, Doctor Brians, had given a brief introduction to herself, explained why she was where and how she could help. But she couldn't help.
After all, she couldn't bring her dad back.
Most of her daydreams consisted of flashbacks to the hospital and the funeral. She remembered standing at the edge of her fathers bed, while her mother sat on the bed next to him.
"Oh, Percy…" she would sigh quietly, kissing his hand as she held it, trying to contain her tears for the sake of her daughter.
Next to them was a small table holding a small vase of chrysanthemums, a dozen get well cards from friends and word colleagues.
He looked so pale. So fragile, not the brave, strong dad that she knows and loves. He looked so helpless, and Lucy felt so helpless as she knew there was nothing she or her mother could do.
So they played the waiting game.
The doctors told them that, "he has suffered a severe head injury. We won't know much until he comes out of the coma."
Days turned into weeks, and Lucy thought that just meant that he was getting closer to recovery.
She remembers one morning, when Audrey was at the hospital and Caoimhe was minding Lucy, the phone rang.
"Oh, I bet that's my boss again," Caoimhe sighed, setting down her mug of coffee, black, two sugars, and a hint of cinnamon, and walking to the ringing phone.
Lucy munched silently at her coco-pops, beging careful not to spill any milk onto the brand new linen tablecloth, which Caoimhe stepped quietly back into the kitchen, a look of disbelief and confusion on her usual bright and pleasant face.
"Lucy…"
"Lucy?" Lucy was snapped back into reality at the voice of her mother, standing in front of her, placing a mug of milky tea onto the table in front of her, "You okay?"
"Oh… yea," Lucy responded, "Just a little tired."
"You should head up to bed, you were up early this morning," he mother smiled at her, "I'm gonna get some work done anyway."
"Yea, okay," Lucy responded, and proceeded to pick up the mug, "Night Mummy."
"Night, night princess," Audrey replied, and kissed her on the forehead.
