"Luke!" My father calls out as I run towards him.
"Dad!" I call, grinning as I tackle him into a hug, "Guess what!" I chirp.
"What?" He asks a small laugh leaving his lips as he hugs me back.
"Today was the last day of school and I passed all my classes with A's" I say to him with a huge proud grin.
"What? Luke that is amazing! That deserves a trip to get ice cream" He says ruffling my hair gently.
"Just me and you?" I ask smilimg small.
"Of course, your brother can join next time" My dad says grabbing his car keys.
"Awesome!" I cheer excitedly.
"Lets go" My dad says walking towards the front door. My dad has always been good about getting time in with both his sons. Separate and together. Once inside of his car, his favorite song starts to play.
"Isn't this your favorite song?" I ask as I buckle up.
"Yes, it is" He chuckles, "Juke Box Hero" He hums.
"What is this song about?" I ask as I listen to the music playing through the speakers.
"In my own opinion, if you have inspiration to do what you love, you'll do it" He says glancing at me as we come to a red light, "Don't let anyone tell you what passions you can and cannot have Luke"
"People do that?" I ask frowning small.
"When I got out of the Air Force I told my best of friends that I am following my passion for music and going to open a music store. Do you know what he said?" My dad asks as we pull into the parking lot of our favorite ice cream place.
"What did he say?" I ask staring at my dad.
"That I'll never make it in that industry, That I'd be back in the Air Force in six months, and that was my best friend" He says staring out the windshield "And look at me now, happily following my passion"
"Don't let anyone tell you what passions you can and cannot have, I get it" I whisper.
"Good, dont forget it"
Little did I know that would be the last meaningful conversation I would ever have with my dad.
"Mom?" I question, late on a Tuesday night, "Where's dad?" I ask frowning, he's normally home by now.
"I dont know, I've tried calling ten times.." She sighs "Go to bed, I'm sure he's just working late" She mumbles. However, before I could leave there was a knock on the door. My moms opens the door to see two police men standing there.
"Mrs. Miller?" One asks.
"Luke go to your room. Yes that's me" She spoke sending me off, however, I hide near by to listen in.
"I'm sorry to inform you this but your husband was shot while there was a robbery at his store. He didnt make it" The policeman informs."We are so sorry"
"What?" She asks her voice already shaky.
"You see, the robber shot your husband when he tried to defend the store and kids that were there" The other spoke.
"He always had to be the hero" My mother whisper.
"We are so sorry ma'am. The robber was caught though and will be charged" He informs.
"Thank you" she whispers, I know she's trying her hardest to keep it together.
By this point tears are streaming down my cheeks. This can't be true. Just last night we got ice cream and everything was fine. He was here! Alive! Happy! Healthy even!
"Luke?" My mom says now standing in front of me, "You should have gone to your room"
"I'm sorry" I whisper as the tears stream. Slowly my mother hugs me.
"It'll be okay" she whispers to me.
"No, he's gone" I whisper.
"Luke.." she sighs. "We will make it"
"How?"
How? Such a good question. She didn't have an answer then. Little did I know just six months later she would be remarried to the monster I have to call my step-father. John, the devil himself. He always treated my mom right. However, he never treated Michael or I at all well.
I remember the first summer after their marriage. Michael was pretty young still. I was 13. So what, Michael was 8? John had yelled at Michael for dropping and spilling a glass of milk. In a plastic cup. Michael cried as John threatened to beat him. I stepped in and got the beating instead. My mother never said a word to John or me. John eventually stopped mostly. At least he leaves Michael alone now.
"Luke! Baby!" I hear my mother call.
"Luke" I hear Michael.
"My little mate" Matteo next.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have left this happen to you" Masie whispers.
It's like they are all here. Slowly, with my head pounding, I open my eyes. The room is dark. Where am I? As I look around no one is here. I swear to God I heard everyone here seconds ago.
"Oh my God" I hear Masie say as she stands in the door way. "Luke! Nurse!" She yells making me flinch. "You're awake" she says rushing over.
"Masie, what happened?" I asks staring around.
"Oh my gosh" A random lady who, I'm assuming, is a nurse. She rushes in shoving Masie aside. "Whats your name?"
"What?" I ask frowning.
"What is your full name?" She asks.
"Luke Mills" I mumble closing my eyes with a sigh.
"Keep your eyes open for me please" She asks as a bunch of people come rushing in.
About an hour later, after a bunch of questions from them, they leave to call my mom. Oh yay. Masie is still here. Now she's sitting next to me, on the chair.
"Masie, what happened?" I ask frowning.
"Luke.." she sighs staring at me.
"Masie, the doctors wouldn't tell me anything, please, what happened?" I beg staring at her.
"Luke you've been in a comma for two weeks"
What? How? No. No. No. This can't be true. How? What? No!