"This is the third time this month," said Mr. Dale, the principal of Steven and Kevin's school. "We ourselves feel bad calling you here this often Mrs. Brady,"
"I don't mind coming in for my children. What did he do now?"
"Oh no ma'am, it's not just Kevin this time. Steven was just as much involved,"
"What did they do then?"
"To start off, they switched seats before class and when their teacher came in, they other children laughed leaving her extremely confused,"
"Well that's hardly anything, now Mr. Dale is there a real reason you called me here?"
"Well, with Kevin it's the usual, the shouting, the misbehaving, the pranks… but I really need to speak to you about Steven. We have had this talk before and every time you have convinced me to let him stay. But this year we cannot pass him,"
"Oh Mr. Dale, every year we have the same discussion,"
"No offence ma'am but there are special schools for children like Ste…"
"I know there are but your school has to keep him, that's the rule,"
"But we don't have to pass him,"
"Please Mr. Dale, you know this too well, Steven can't stand to be without his brother. He's the only one he knows, he's the only one he confides in, he…"
"Yes ma'am we have heard it all before. But don't you think that Steven needs to be a little independent,"
"He is. But in school, with the other kids making fun of him and… he can't stand up for himself. Not yet."
"We understand, but we do urge you to help him increase his grades. Kevin is an all-rounder. He is good at sports, his grades are of a passing mark and well, his behavior is negligible due to his performance in sports. But Steven hasn't shown improvement in any field. This time if he doesn't attain a passing grade, then we will not promote him to the next class."
"I understand," Grace said, not giving up but wanting to leave already. She knew that Steven couldn't cope in that school. She wanted to put him somewhere he didn't feel so out of place. And she had put the two of them in such a school, but Kevin showed that he could do better. And she couldn't get in the way of his progress.
Anyways, after they reached home, Grace sent the two boys up to change and freshen up. She gave them lunch and an hour or so later she went to pick Cheryl up. Brendan had moved out so driving everyone around became her responsibility again.
Once all kids were home, fed, and in their beds for an afternoon nap. Grace sat down, took a deep breath and thought about what to do with Steven. He was slow, but he tried really hard. They had got him a tutor and she worked for two hours with him daily. Still, somehow, everything he studied swam out of his mind when he gave a test. They had tried taking an oral test with him, given him loads of extra time and sometimes even shown him the test paper, but he did not perform. She sighed, making all thoughts disappear from her mind. She nearly dozed off when her phone rang.
"Who is it?"
"Ma, its me, Brendan. How are ya?"
"I was about to sleep. What are you doing calling at this hour?"
"Its 4:30 Ma. I wouldn't call that an unearthly hour,"
"Well it's an unearthly hour in this house. Everyone's asleep,"
"Well then I'll get straight down to it: I got a job!"
"Oh Good! So?"
"You could show a little enthusiasm,"
"Yea, well I'm enthusiastic to go back to sleep,"
"Alright. Just wanted to let you know. How's Cheryl and the boys?"
"There're good. Aren't you gonna ask about yer Da?"
"…" Brendan didn't say anything. Grace knew they didn't get along, so why did she have to push?
"Well, he's fine too. And congratulations son, I'm proud of ye,"
"Thanks Ma, listen, I got to go. I'll call you later yea,"
"Yea. Okay, bye,"
"Bye."
Grace didn't understand it. The rift between Brendan and Sheamus. She couldn't remember when it started but it was certainly a long time ago. She couldn't remember a time when they had a normal talk or anything. With Kevin and Steven, Sheamus never really warmed up. Cheryl's always been daddy's girl but he never showed any affection towards his boys.
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Later in the evening, Grace sat with the boys to help them with their homework, being Friday, Cheryl left to go out with Lynsey. Sheamus would come late today. The tutor cancelled out, so Grace had the boys all to herself. Kevin lazed around for a bit, then super sped on finishing his work, then ran off to watch some telly. Steven struggled with his Math homework. Grace decided to let him have a good long go at it before stepping in to help. She got up to make some coffee. Steven looked up; he struggled to say something but gave up when she was out of the room. Steven didn't speak much. His voice was low and whatever he said was never clearer than a mumble.
Grace returned to see Ste stuck where she left him, concentrating hard on his sums. He had yet to pick up reading properly, so Grace read it for him, again. After his homework was finally over, Grace let him join Kevin and watch some TV. Meanwhile she rechecked his work and corrected the spelling mistakes in his English homework. The doorbell rang, it was still early for Sheamus to come by and Cheryl was sleeping over at Lynseys' place.
Grace got up, opened the door up to a bouquet of flowers. Behind them was Brendan, who entered swiftly, giving a small peck on his mother's cheek. Astonished, then smiling, Grace turned around to see Brendan greet the boys. Kevin jumped over him asking, "What did you get for me?" and Steven hugged him at the same time making Brendan fall back in the sofa.
"We're going out. To celebrate,"
"What? But no ones home Brendan," Kevin stated, "Cheryl is with Lynsey and Sheamus is out getting drunk,"
"Kevin! You will call him Da or Mr. Brady, or anything else. You understand?" Grace was upset how none of the boys, Brendan included, didn't get along with their father, "and he's out with his mates…"
"Let him be Ma," Brendan cut her off. He didn't need his evening to be spoiled with the mention of that man. It was because he knew Sheamus wouldn't be here tonight that he decided to come in the first place. "C'mon you guys, get ready fast, we'll eat out, Ma yer choice and then icecream,"
"Absolutely not, I don't want these boys getting sick in the weekend. Plus yer Da and I plan on going outdoors tomorrow, fishing or something. You should come," Grace hoped to get them all together for once.
"No I thought I'd take the boys someplace. What do yez say?" Brendan asked his little brothers.
"Yes!" Kevin said loud enough for the two of them.
Grace gave in, she knew Sheamus wouldn't keep to his word and the boys deserved to have a fun weekend. They hadn't gone anywhere nice since Brendan left.
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After food, Brendan drove everyone home. Grace went upstairs to pack a bag for the boys. Sheamus was home, passed out drunk on the couch. Grace was glad the boys were leaving. She gave their backpacks to Brendan, giving him some instructions about Steven's medication and what food not to give Kevin. Brendan nodded, kissed her on the fore head and drove off.
"Grace stood outside the house, watched the car disappear. She felt alone. A tear streamed down her cheek, she missed them already. She wished she had gone with them.
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Next morning started slow for Sheamus, who was still asleep. Grace had gotten up early to make breakfast but realized there was no one there to make it for. The door bell rang, making Sheamus shift in his sleep. Grace opened to receive a parcel. Grace took it up to her room, inside she found a videotape that revealed some gruesome details about her husband. Horrified, she shut the tape. Thinking over what the tape revealed, specially the part that said, "Ask you son,"
Panic struck over Grace as she reached a sudden realization: what Sheamus had done to that man in the tape, to her son. Why Brendan chose to live away from his father. Grace felt sick. There was only one person to talk to about this, and she needed some answers now.
Sorry for taking so long. The next chapter should be out soon, and I promise it will be way more interesting. Chapter 4:Loss of a character, and rated M for something. Enjoy