Everett Johnson

Misunderstood

Writer's POV

Becky opened the door and welcomed Hailey inside. Hailey went about her normal duties. She went upstairs to pick up her instruments which she used to examine her patient healing process. It was a beautiful Friday afternoon and Scott and Jessie had come over. They had decided to spend the weekend at Becky's and so did Hailey. Becky appreciated the company a lot. After checking Everett's vitals, she concluded that Everett was quite healthy but the doctor had requested to see him the next week.

"Can you believe some weirdo was following me on my way here?" Hailey asked.

"Really, what did you do?" Jessie asked the nurse. "Well, I held the hands of this random guy and told him that a creepy guy was following me so he should play along. And he did. He actually walked me to this place. I mean I told him it was okay when I noticed that the weirdo had stopped following me but he insisted on walking me to my destination. So I simply obliged, and he ended up taking my number" Hailey replied. "Oh my gosh, I knew it" Jessie burst out laughing. "I know right", Hailey said. "He's really cute, you know. His name's Devon."

"Oh really" Jessie said. "Wait, does he have blonde hair and blue eyes?" She asked.

"Yes". Hailey replied. "But how di...." He's my brother" Jessie said. "OMG, you just got yourself my super hot twin brother as a boyfriend". " What? He's not even said anything yet. And wait you're a twin, how come you never said anything about him?" Hailey asked. "Well you never asked". Jessie replied. And he spent his whole life in London. He came into town a few months ago. Oh and about him being your boyfriend, I'm so sure. He's so into blonds. He told me that himself".

" Enough about Brothers and boyfriends, who wants cookies?" Becky asked as she walked into the lounge with a tray of freshly baked cookies. Before anyone could say anything, they heard someone say "me". It was a male voice, soft and not so masculine but definitely a male voice and it wasn't Scott's. Everyone turned to look at Everett. Then he said it again, " me".

"Oh my God", Becky said, " Everett you spoke,thank God." She walked towards him and gave him a hug. "Buddy you can speak again", Oh my God, Everett, I'm so happy". Scott and Jessie said. "I'm soooo happy you're getting better Everett," Hailey said." I'll call the doctor to inform him". She said to the others.

After a conversation with the doctor, Hailey told the others that the doctor had postponed his appointment with Everett. He had scheduled a meeting with him because it was high time he went back to normal, yet his condition didn't seem to improve. But with the recent improvement he was assured that the patient was getting better. Hence he postponed the appointment.

Everyone was pretty much cheerful throughout the day.

After dinner, whiles watching a movie, there was a knock on the door. Jessie decided to get it and walked over to the door. She looked into the peephole and turned to Becky. "It's a man, I don't know who he is". "A man?" Becky asked, as she walked towards the door. She looked into the peep hole and muttered, 'what's he doing here?" She opened the door. "Good evening" Clinton said, "I just wanted to see Everett and..." "He's good and I suggest you leave because I'm not sure he wants to see you. Oh, he doesn't even know you," Becky said.

"Why do you hate me that much?", He asked. " Hate you?", I just can't bear to look at a man who left his wife and little boy for God knows what". "Becky I just wanna see my son. And you shouldn't judge me if you don't know why I left"

Becky looked at him and let him in. Clinton walked in and said hi to everyone. "Could you give us some privacy? Everett can stay" Becky said. After Jessie, Scott and Hailey left the living room, Clinton walked over to Everett. "Hey, umm, Hi Everett. I'm..." "A friend" Becky cut him. "Why are you doing this Becky?" "Because I don't want you to hurt him again" Becky said pulling him away. After a few seconds he spoke.

"I had cancer. I kept it a secret, and it kept getting worse. Eventually, the doctor told me I had less than a year to live. I loved Jacinta so much that I couldn't let her live with the pain of loosing me like that. So I made her think I was a jerk. I didn't leave because I wanted to. I left because I had to. And my son, I know it wasn't fair to him but it wouldn't have made a difference if he saw me die.

"So now you're well?" Becky asked. "I beat cancer two years ago. I thought I was going to die but thank God I didn't."

"And it took you two years for you to return. And you got married" Becky stated."What?" Clinton asked. He looked at his left hand. "If it'd because if this then you're wrong" he said pointing to the ring on his finger. "I had them make it like my wedding ring since I left it behind. I even have our Initials engraved in it. Jacinta and I. You don't know what I'm going through okay. I left for all these years and now I come back to find my wife dead and my son like this."

With a look of regret on Becky's face, she said,"I'm sorry. I didn't know. I'm sorry"

"I just want to hold my son" He said.

He walked slowly towards Everett and cupped his face in his hands. He tried so much to hold it in but he couldn't. Tears flowed down his cheeks as he hugged Everett in his wheelchair. "I..I'm your dad Everett, and I'm so sorry for leaving you.