🍄 A weekend at Nathan's
Part 2: The bad news
⚠️ This is a work of fiction
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"Hello Samuel," said Mom.
"I prefer to be called Sam," I said, exasperated.
"Yes, sorry, Sam. How was your day?"
"Good, nothing special."
"Are you almost done with your homework?"
"Yes, almost done, I just have one more lesson to finish reading."
"Perfect, so as soon as you're done, go take a shower."
"Okay. Can I play video games afterwards?"
"Yes, you can until we eat.
This time again, I managed to fool Mom. I don't deserve much credit, it's quite easy. Anyway, she never checks the work I have to do, or if I did it. It's not always as easy with my dad.
As soon as Mom leaves my room, I close my binder and hurry to the bathroom. I quickly undress, get into the shower and wash myself. I already don't like showering normally and it goes fast, but when it's time to hurry up to play Fortnite, I can be faster than Flash.
Wrapped in my towel, I return to my room. I look for my pajamas but can't find them.
"Mom, where did you put my pajamas?" I shout loudly.
"Where you put them, probably on the floor," she answers.
And indeed, I find them where I probably left them this morning, on the floor near my bed. I put them on, leave the wet towel on my bed and head to the living room to play Fortnite.
I connect with different friends, but Antoine is not there. I play for maybe 30 minutes and I hear Dad coming.
"Hello Sam," he says shortly after giving me a kiss.
"Yeah, hi," I say without even looking at him, too focused on shooting someone in the game.
Now is not the time. If I do well, I can be Top 1 in this game.
Dad walks towards the kitchen and I continue playing for a bit.
"Dinner's ready," Mom yells.
I don't take the time to answer her. She'll remind me anyway. And then often, when she calls for dinner, it's for me to set the table. So if I don't come right away, she'll set the table herself or with Dad's help.
There's only 5 minutes left to finish my game, I should make it.
"Sam, come eat!"
I don't know if I'll be able to finish my game, but I'll try.
Suddenly, Dad comes in and turns off the TV.
"Why did you do that?" I say as I stand up to face him.
"We called you several times and you didn't come," he calmly responds.
"But my game wasn't finished."
"Yes but we're already at the table, we've been waiting for you for five minutes."
"Well, start without me."
"No, you've played enough for tonight."
I think it's hopeless for tonight, I won't insist any further. I put down my controller and head to the kitchen.
The atmosphere is a bit tense, no one is talking. I don't like the meal, but I prefer not to say anything. I know I'm picky with food. Anyway, what I prefer is pizza, burgers, and pasta.
Suddenly, the phone rings and Dad answers. Mom and I watch him and quickly understand that something is wrong after he hangs up. We can't hear the conversation from where we are.
As Mom gets up to go see him, he hangs up the phone and comes back to us. There's a tear running down his cheek.
"It's Francis... he died in a car accident this afternoon..."
"Oh my god," Mom cries as she hugs him.
Francis is one of Dad's uncles. I haven't seen him much, and I might not even recognize him.
"It was my sister who called me," Dad says. "She was crying."
I see both my mom and dad crying and even though I'm a bit sad too, I prefer to go to my room. They embrace each other for comfort. Hugs and emotions are not really my thing.
Later, Dad comes into my room, no longer crying.
"Are you okay?" he asks me.
"Yes, I'm fine."
"You probably don't remember Francis much."
"Not really."
"He was my uncle, as you know, and the one I was closest to. I spent many vacations at his place. His death saddens me a lot, not just because I won't see him again but also because of his family. He had two children, two cousins of mine, who both had children."
I don't know what to say to comfort Dad. We're not very close so I don't see myself hugging him like Mom did.
"My sister doesn't know yet when the funeral will be. We'll find out tomorrow or the day after. Would you like to come?"
"I... no... not really..."
"I understand, you know, if you don't want to come, I won't force you. Your mom and I will go. And it's a bit far, it's about a 6-hour drive, we would be away for about three days."
"Will I stay alone?"
"I'd prefer if you go sleep at a friend's, you're still a bit young to stay home alone for several days."
Young, not really, I'm in 6th grade. Too bad, it could have been cool to stay home alone, I could have done what I wanted, when I wanted. On the other hand, three days might be a bit too long.
"Where will I stay then?"
"You can ask your friends when we know exactly when the funeral is."
"Okay."
Dad kisses me on the forehead before leaving my room.
I still don't know who to ask. I could ask Antoine, but it's going to be complicated with his new baby sister sleeping in his room, and it smells bad anyway. Maybe Kevin, but we had a little argument a few days ago so I'm not really keen on it.
Ralph is nice, but I've never slept at his place, and he's not in my class, he's in another 6th grade. I finally think of Nathan. Yes, why not Nathan. I'll ask him tomorrow if it would be possible.
His mom didn't seem very friendly, but it would only be for 2 nights from what I understand, so I could make it work.
Shortly after, Mom tells me to brush my teeth and go to bed.
I do as she asks, but grab the console on my way and play for a while in bed before turning off the light."
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