FRAGILE WALLS

"it is the saddest news we’re being hit with, the airline, Cruise Airways, just crashed into the Forest Garden, where over a hundred passengers are dead, no survivors found yet, stay tuned for more," The television host said. He was the only one in the living room, a wicked smile spread across his face. If this is what he’s thinking, then it means he is going to be having a very good day. “Gabriella! Gabriella!!” He yelled out her name. The smile was now replaced with a deep frown, his eyebrows creased together and his eyes squinted with his lips pouted. Both his arms resting on the arm chair with the television remote in his hand, increasing the volume. The skinny woman hurried out immediately with fear in her eyes. She stood far away from him in case there was a need to escape. You’d never know when he would lose his temper you know. “Your brother and his wife were on what flight back home?" he asked her. She looked at the news headline that was scrolling below the screen and then back at him. “The cruise airline.” She answered, “The last time they spoke to you, what did they say?” He asked her. “They’re on their way home. They were about to board the flight.” “Looks like they’re getting what they deserve.” He made a snide remark. Her eyes were completely focused on the blonde newscaster waiting for some kind of update. “Aunty Gaby!” The little boy ran out of his room and jumped into her arms. “Shut up you whiny little brat!” The voice of his uncle startled him he buried his face into his aunt’s chest who kissed the top of his head. “Go wait for me in the room,” she said to him but he stiffened himself on her lap shaking his head. She knew he was afraid of what would happen next, so she didn’t force him. “We’re back with updates from the site where the plane crash happened. We have a list of names of victims that have been identified. Anyone who is related to any of the deceased should contact the numbers on the screen. The country plans on holding a mass burial in honor of those who have left us too soon.” The blonde host stated. “The first names we have here are, Tomas Martinez,” a photo was put along side the names as the co-host began to list out the names. She was a bit relieved when she didn’t hear the name of her brother or his wife. She was about to stand up when the host began to speak again. “We were told to wait until it has been confirmed before we release the news. One of the best pilots our country has ever had,” once he heard the mention of pilot he peeped behind him to watch the news, he could see as his parents photos were up on the screen. He looked at his uncle who had the smirk on his face and then at his aunt who had fear, pain, anguish written all over hers. When she looked down at him, he could see the pity in her eyes. “On their way home to meet their son to celebrate the victory of his wife, we’re sorry to release to the public that Captain and Tennis winner June Thunders have been declared dead at the crash site. Burned beyond recognition, we the public send our condolences to their six year old son and his aunt.” He felt a tear drop on his cheek, she was crying, he was young but he was very wise. He knew that this meant hell for the both of them. “Go and make me something to eat.” He turned off the television not moving an inch from his spot. She quickly wiped her tears and carried Leo with her, “leave the boy here.” He said. She paused not turning around, not moving forward, just remained frozen in one spot. Afraid of what he just asked her to do. When he saw that she wasn’t moving, he stood to his feet, “Let the boy remain here, or else I will make you.” Leo was afraid, but he was more scared of what would happen to his aunt if she didn’t let him go. Reluctantly, he released himself from her grip and she let him down. “Go to the kitchen and don’t come out until I say so.” Her heart was beating really fast. She turned around to plead but was greeted by the fifth vase she had replaced smashing in front of her. “I said remain in the kitchen!!” He yelled. By now she had scurried into the kitchen slamming the door so hard and crying out her lungs while little Leo stood innocently in front of his raging uncle. Every day he watched as he unleashed his frustration on his aunty, but today, he knew that the people that protected him against this vile man were no more, which meant that his life was completely over before it even started. “Take off your shorts.” He said as he took off his black leather belt and straightened it out. “This is for the bastard who watched me sink in financial debt but never once reached out to help me.” She cried as she heard little Leo scream out in pain. She hated herself for being so weak in this moment. June 27th, 2006. The day Leonardo Thunders life changed, for the worst. Years Later Sitting in the middle of the scattered room was Leo, drowned in all of his regrets and there I was, leaning against the wall behind me with tears in my eyes. “I trusted you,” I said almost in a whisper as I felt my heart break in millions of pieces over and over again. “you betrayed me,” I watched his eyes tighten shut as he tried to drown my voice, or rather, the hurt in my voice and the truth in what I said to him. “You served me lies, you told me that we are for lifers, but when push came to shove, Leo you dipped.” He was speechless. In the space of thirty minutes, we’ve had a whole chaotic meeting, he says he has a valid excuse, but what can he say to defend abandoning the mother of his late child for his career. What can he say after he had me disowned? What would be the way forward? Would I forgive Leo after all these years he cause me pain? I can’t seem to let it all go. Years later and he resurfaces as if nothing happened. I feel like a band aid or wax has been aggressively ripped off my skin. The worst part of all of this is, the fact that I cannot bring myself to hate this pathetic looking man before me. All these years and I thought I could hate him for all that he did to me, throw him out immediately I set my eyes on him, spit at him, but, the girl inside can’t bring herself to do such. Rather, she’s fighting the urge to run into his arms and comfort him. How pathetic and sick, right? Such conflicting emotions that I’ve managed to avoid all these years. “Where do we go from here Leo?”