Page 80 of Broken Hero
I give her a polite smile. “Being a fireman keeps you fit.”
“Well, it looks good on you.”
I look over at Jerry. “Sir, good to see you again.”
He gives me a reproachful look. “I know it has been a long time, but it’s Jerry, son.”
I shake his hand. “Sorry, Jerry, how have you been?”
There is sadness in his eyes. “Alright, son, you know, day by day, even after this time, it’s day by day.”
I nod. Yeah, I do know because it's still fucking me up day by day too.
Mum introduces them to everyone. Jack knows them, but Maddie only met them once.
Mum announces that dinner will be ready in half an hour and walks into the kitchen. I ask everyone what they want to drink and follow her in there. I need to keep my anger in check.
“What the hell, Mum? How could you do this to me and put me on the spot like this? What were you even thinking?”
“Now, Dec. Just trust me - I’ve asked them here for a reason. Please trust me. I never ask anything of you or your brother or sister, but I'm asking this of you now, give me tonight?”
“This is out of order, Mum. It’s unfair. I can't face them.”
“Please, Dec, I'm just asking this one thing.”
I look at her expectant face - she’s right - she doesn't ask anything of us.
I sigh and give a little nod. “Fine, but I don't know how you think me seeing Violet's parents will help.”
She reaches up and cups my face softly. “I'm willing to try anything so that my boy can be happy.”
It breaks my heart to hear her say that because I know nothing would make her happier, but it's not possible.
“OK, Mum.” I say softly.
I go back into the dining room and hand out the drinks.
Eli comes over, and I hand him his lemonade. “Can I sit next to you, Uncle Dec?”
I smile down at him. “Of course, I was going to ask you the same thing.”
“Is Sophie coming?”
My eyes automatically go to Sue, feeling guilty that anyone’s name other than Violet’s is associated with me. “No, dude, she’s not coming, but she told me how brave you were.”
He looks so proud. He was a brave little guy.
We make small talk and sit at the table when Mum says dinner is ready. Maddie and Robyn are in the kitchen, helping her. Dinner goes by without a hitch, but there is an underlying current in the atmosphere. Something is being left unsaid.
As soon as dinner is over, Robyn excuses herself with Eli, saying that it’s Sunday and Eli needs a bath and bed, school in the morning, but Jack stays. That’s when I know that something will be said, but it needs to be said without Eli around. Great. How long can I sit at this dining table before I can excuse myself and go home? Ten minutes maybe?
Maddie looks around at everyone and sighs. “So Dec, I bet you're wondering why mum invited Jerry and Sue here after all this time.”
I look over at them. “It’s good to see you both, but I can't help but think I'm the reason for you being here tonight.”
Violet's mum looks at me, the grief in her eyes evident. It never goes away, even when she’s smiling. I did that - I couldn't save their daughter.
“Declan, your mum phoned me. We stayed in touch, and your mum was so kind to me after the accident.”
