Chapter 7 - Denzel Strife
Len and Rin sat on the couch, wondering if they'd asked something they shouldn't have. This wondering got even more intense when Cloud sat on the chair across from them holding a photo frame.
"This was Denzel." he said, showing them the picture. The boy in the picture was about their age, with brown hair and eyes, and a smile that said he was the happiest kid in all Gaia. "He was my son, by adoption. We used to live in Seventh Heaven with Tifa, but after she started to see Rude, we moved out. Just a few houses away, so he could still play with Marlene, but it was enough to give us some privacy to be father and son."
"He looks very happy in the picture." said Len.
"He was. Happiest kid I ever knew. The problem was, I worked. I'd leave to do deliveries, and Denzel would stay home, alone, for days at a time. But, he would always greet me with a smile and welcoming hug. He idolized me, and that was our problem."
"How was it a problem?" Rin asked.
"I was his hero, and I kinda abused that. We never really did much together, so Denzel never learned some of the most basic things, like how to cook. I was almost always away on deliveries, and he was always at home. The few times we were together, I did all the cooking, so he never learned. It's what finally ended things."
The twins looked at each other, then at Cloud. "What happened?" Len asked.
"I was away for a long delivery trip. I was gone too long. When I did return, Denzel wasn't at the door to greet me like he always was. I figured he'd gone to bed, since it was late. But the dogs were barking, something they didn't normally do without reason.
"When I came inside, Denzel was lying on the floor, sick. He'd thrown up several times, it was all over the floor, and he was weak. He couldn't even stand. I took him to his room, but I was too proud to call someone over to look at him. He died two days later." Cloud wiped the tears from his face. "The doctor who saw the body said he'd been poisoned, and that if I'd brought him to see him, Denzel would have survived."
The twins were quiet.
"It's because of my pride that he died. It's the reason Tifa keeps trying to take you two away. And why I call Elena and Reno almost any time I need help for something." Cloud sounded pitiful. "It's also why I live further away from Seventh Heaven now. I couldn't stay where Denzel had died."
Len and Rin both got up and approached Cloud. "Cloud."
He looked up at them. "Yeah?"
They both hugged him. "Thanks for telling us. We appreciate what your doing." said Rin.
"And thanks for taking care of us." added Len.
Cloud held them both close. "Thanks."