In every person's life, there are turning points. For some, they come earlier; for others, later. But they are inevitable. These moments crash into a familiar life, turning it upside down until the new reality becomes just another routine. For our Reeves family, that moment was the death…
The death of our parents changed us forever. I never realized how difficult an independent life could be. Even though I was already nineteen, the thought of dropping out of college never crossed my mind. I'm grateful to my parents for their persistence—they made me study even when I didn't want to. My friends used to laugh at me for skipping their parties to stay with my books. But it was their determination that allowed me to continue my education and endure the hardships that fell upon us.
But it was hardest for my brother, Dunn. Losing your parents at nine years old is a blow that's hard to recover from. He spent several months in depression, locked within the four walls of our new, much smaller apartment. And me? I was running around trying to set up the house, dealing with paperwork, and looking for a job, leaving less and less time for him. I could see his pain, but I couldn't be there for him as much as he needed.
His grades in school plummeted. I tried everything I could to make him feel better, but our financial situation didn't allow for much. $15,000 for the next semester of my studies was a sum I could only dream of.
I didn't dare turn to relatives for help. Our parents had cut all ties with them before we moved from Romania. The only support we could hope for was from our grandparents on my mother's side, but they lived modestly. Grandfather suggested we return to Romania, but I refused. Now I can't even understand why I said "no" back then. Was it fear of the unknown? Or did I believe I could handle it alone? I regret that decision now...
Dunn became withdrawn. He stopped talking to his old friends and didn't make any new ones. He spoke to me less and less, retreating into his own thoughts. When I finally decided to talk to him, our conversation turned into an argument. But at least I learned what he thought of me and our life. And that hurt even more...
Our parents' savings quickly ran out, and I had to take on extra hours at work. This distanced us even further. It was around that time that Jack came into our lives. He became a real support for me, but Dunn didn't accept him. They argued constantly. Jack tried to connect with him, but it didn't work...
The wedding was approaching, and Dunn kept picking fights over anything. Sometimes I felt like I was at my breaking point. But after Polina and Darina were born, things changed. Dunn became more composed. He started spending more time with the girls, helping out, and their relationship grew warm and sincere...
Now Polina and Darina are nine years old, and I'm proud of their talents. Darina joined a boxing class and eagerly awaits her first competition. Polina studies piano with a tutor and already gives small performances. They are close, but as they've grown older, they've started to distance themselves from Dunn. I overhear them saying unkind things about him, especially when they talk about him attending the same university I once did...
Dunn has developed a passion for biology and history. He's become less withdrawn, but the tension between him and Jack remains. Every time they discuss his work schedule, it ends in a fight. My 30th birthday passed peacefully, but there were still sparks of conflict between them. Dunn decided to go to the shores of England with his friends. I hope this will help him relax. On the verge of his 21st birthday, he's no longer the child who shut himself away, but I still worry. I just hope he doesn't make any reckless decisions...