Knock knock, "Yes? come in." I'm sitting at my desk when Mr. Warner walks in with a perplexed look upon him.
"Is everything alright Mr. Warner?" Warner takes the seat across from mine.
"No, I'm afraid not, It seems as though…..Ella has taken a turn for the worse.''
While he was explaining his current predicament, I took the time I hadn't before to study his suit, perfectly tailored to his muscular body. Examining like I never had before, What is this feeling? Warner grunts for my attention.
"Castle, are you listening?" I step back into reality.
"Yes, yes I'm sorry I got distracted. Carry on?"
"Ella has been diagnosed with stage four cancer, Ovarian."
"Oh god, Aaron I'm so sorry. Are you okay? How is she?" I rarely call him by his name but in this instance, it just felt right.
"She's holding up, Leila's been taking it rough. You'd think she wouldn't know but she can feel it, even at only a year old" He chuckles humorously, the first time I've heard him laugh, I feel like I could get used to the sound."
"Castle, Please understand I don't do this often but, I need help."
"Of course son, you know I'm always here to help. Don't feel weak, accepting help is braver than you think."
*back at the Warner house*
On the walk to his house Warner and I have been almost casual. In his rugged state, he seems more relaxed than I've ever seen him, more like the boy I know is hiding underneath this harsh exterior.
Once we've finally reached his house I'm shocked. In the several times I've been here their home has been nothing but immaculate. Everything is pristine and proper. But this? It seems nothing like the Warner home I'm accustomed to.
To put it simply, it is a wreck. Toys are strewn everywhere, dishes are stacked in tall piles, and bags of trash lying around waiting to be thrown out.
Instantly I sympathize with this poor young man. He has never had an easy life and it seems like that won't be happening anytime soon.
His embarrassment is excruciatingly obvious, I notice his reddened cheeks as he leaves to check on Ella. I almost smile, I don't think I've ever seen him so flustered before and I would be lying if I didn't think it was cute.
Silently I start cleaning, he comes back about roughly twenty minutes later and looks miserable. His emerald green eyes aren't shining as they normally do, instead, they're dull and lifeless.
I watch as he begins to pick up his daughter's toys, and the somber look on his face makes my heart wrench.
To think within a matter of months he could be a single father at only twenty-two is devastating. I know I must help this family as much as I possibly can.