Benjamin experienced a range of emotions as the vehicle drove through the streets of Haarlem City. In his and his sister Ayo's memories, Haarlem City had always been a happy place.
He was reminded of those better times by everything about this city, where they had been born and raised. It was a city he loved, but today, those recollections seemed bittersweet.
The HFC Haarlem Youth Academy, which was close to his Leidsebuurt neighborhood, was where he would typically spend endless hours training and dreaming of the day he'd go pro.
The neighborhood was tight-knit and welcoming, with everyone knowing one another.
Benjamin could still picture Ayo playing football in the park, her laughter resonating as she rode her bike through the streets.
Even while those memories remained, they suddenly seemed far away, as though they were from someone else's past.
Benjamin stared out the car window as they passed familiar sights, like the bookstore his mother had adored and the corner cafe where he and Ayo used to frequent for ice cream.
Benjamin had changed, but the city had not. He was no longer the young man who had been so vibrant and full of promise and who had aspired to be a football star. He was now mentally and physically broken.
The car finally pulled into his house's driveway. The modest house remained the same, with a tiny garden in front that his mother had always kept well-maintained. However, it felt different now, more empty.
After shutting off the engine, Coach Jansen turned to look at Benjamin. "We're here," he said.
He exited the vehicle, went to Benjamin's side, opened the door, and helped him out. Benjamin's arms trembled a little from the strain of using crutches.
The front door opened as they got closer, revealing a woman dressed as a maid.
With her short, dark hair pinned back neatly and a gentle expression on her face, she appeared to be in her late twenties. Benjamin gave a startled blink. She was unfamiliar to him.
Coach Jansen clarified, "This is Anna," noticing Benjamin's confusion. "While you were recovering, I hired her to assist out around the house. She will take care of anything you require, including cleaning."
Benjamin gazed at the woman with a mixture of appreciation and unease. The thought of having someone else handle things for him was unfamiliar to him.
Everything at home had always been handled by his mother, so it felt strange in some sense for someone else to take over that responsibility.
However, he was aware that he couldn't handle things alone.
"Thank you," Benjamin muttered awkwardly, avoiding eye contact with Anna.
The maid gave a welcoming smile. "It's my pleasure, Benjamin. I'm here to help however I can. Tell me if you need anything, please."
Still feeling uncomfortable about the whole thing, he nodded. Though, he wasn't given much time to think about it by Coach Jansen.
The coach beckoned Benjamin to the door and said, "Come on, let's get you inside,"
Benjamin felt a rush of nostalgia as soon as they entered the house.
His senses were overwhelmed by the familiar smell of his house, and he could practically hear Ayo's thudding footsteps or his mother's voice calling out from the kitchen.
His senses were overwhelmed by the familiar scent of his home, and he could practically hear Ayo's boots thumping down the stairs or his mother's voice calling out from the kitchen.
However, the house was now too quiet. It seemed like a shadow of its former self.
Benjamin was escorted into the living area by Coach Jansen, who assisted him in settling into the couch. Anna followed behind, silently setting a glass of water on the coffee table and moving to another room to give them some space.
Benjamin scanned the room, his gaze resting on the framed pictures that hung on the walls, images of birthday celebrations, get-togethers with friends, and him and Ayo at the beach.
One of the pictures showed his sister smiling, and his heart ached as he looked at it. She had always been the light of their family, bringing laughter and vitality to every moment.
"Are you alright?" Sitting in the armchair across from him, Coach Jansen voiced the question.
Benjamin forced himself to turn away from the pictures and swallowed hard. He muttered, "Yeah," but he wasn't sure if he believed it.
Coach Jansen put his elbows on his knees and leaned forward. "I understand that handling all that has transpired is difficult. There is a lot. However, you are not required to do it alone. I'll be checking in on you frequently, and Anna is also here to help."
Although the ache in his chest would not go away, Benjamin nodded.
Although he respected the coach's intentions, the truth that his entire world had been turned upside down remained. He wasn't even sure how he was going to get over this.
The both of them were silent for a moment.
Although Benjamin was aware that he couldn't let his grief to control him, he could feel its weight bearing down on him.
He could not change the fact that Ayo and his parents were no longer with him. He was still here, though. Even though it didn't feel like his own life at the moment, he still had one to live.
Benjamin finally murmured, "I'll try," in a voice that was almost audible above a whisper.
Coach Jansen smiled at him encouragingly. "Anyone can only hope for that. Benjamin, one day at a time. One day at a time."
Even though the road ahead still seemed difficult to transverse, Benjamin nodded once again.
Nevertheless, he might be able to begin reassembling his life with time and the support of people around him.