Never Coming Home

Gerard’s POV
I’m standing outside in the fresh morning atmosphere. The dew is dotted on the grass, and the chilly breeze should probably send a shiver down my spine, but I keep absolutely still.
I look down at the fresh words etched into the grey stone below me.
Clara Williams
A life Lived Too Short
1915-1943

In my hand is a fresh envelope, with a private letter inside. That’s what I always do. Once a month or more if I need to. I write a letter to her and lay it at her grave.
I’ve never told anyone that I do this, and I would never tell anyone what’s in them. That’s my own little secret. Why would I? People would think I’m insane.
I lay the letter on the soft ground in front of her gravestone. I am so confused right now. I loved Clara, but she isn’t here anymore. I have to move on. And Susan is helping me through every second. She’s helping me forget the past.
I stand up straight and keep back my emotions, turning around and walking back to my home.
*************
Frank’s POV
Lucy walks into the room and gives me a peck on the cheek, handing me my coffee, sitting down next to me.
“Thanks, Luce.”
“No problem, hon.” She says.
I hold the warm mug in my hands, taking in the heat against the coldness of the room. I’m biting my lip and thinking hard. Lucy must’ve noticed my expression because she tilts her head at me.
“Something wrong?”
I sigh, wondering if I should ask her for advice. I go with my instincts and look at her.
“Can I ask you something?”
She nods. “Of course.”
“Do you think I did the right thing?”
“With that letter situation with Gerard?”
“Yes, with that.”
“I think it could go both ways. I don’t think it was the best or worst thing you could do. If he gets a reply, it could turn into an adventure. But if he doesn’t, the sadness will probably just fade rather than slash his hopes. It’s one of those things where you just have to wait to see what’s gonna happen.”
“I just don’t want him to do anything too drastic.”
“May I refer you to my earlier statement?”
I smile at her wit and give her a quick kiss.
“Thanks, Lucy.
“Any time, sugar.” She chuckles.
I just hope Gerard will see what all of this could do to him, that’s all.
There’s a knock on the door, and Gerard’s there before I can even stand up. He opens the door and standing in the doorway is Ray and Emily.
“Oh. Hello, Ray. What are you doing here?” there’s an almost unnoticeable growl in his voice.
“I’m here to get Frank and Lucy.”
“Frank and Lucy? What for?”
“We’re going to go to Mikey’s funeral.”
Shxt, I forgot that’s today! Gerard’s head turns slowly to look at me before looking back at Ray.
“Oh.” He sighs.
“Care to come with us?” he says. “I’m sure Mikey would’ve wanted you to.”
I’m constantly thinking to myself, hoping that Ray will keep his distance. Gerard isn’t exactly that fond of him at the moment.
“No.” he says.
“Maybe you should go, Gerard.” I say to him.
Gerard looks at me. “I’d rather not have any more memories come back to haunt me.”
“They won’t.” I say. “It’s a chance to get your last look at him.”
“I guess I wouldn’t have to have a last look at him if Ray would’ve actually been doing his job rather than putting half a mind into it.”
Shxt. He’s done it now. Ray’s not naturally the type of person to get angry, but Gerard’s reminding him of some bad memories.
“Look, Gerard.” Says Ray, stepping in. “I was putting all my effort into keeping him. But I couldn’t, sadly. The wound was in a major artery.”
“Oh, you’re an army surgeon, don’t give me that shxt.”
“I’m sorry I ruined your life! Is that what you’ve been waiting for?!”
“You can’t just apologize, no matter how insincere. You didn’t save my brother, and you would’ve never saved your father.”
Ray’s face goes pure white, he’s shaking, his hands curled into fists.
“Don’t tell me that, you bastard.”
And Gerard looked up at Ray and punched him as hard as he could in the face.
“Fxck!” he says, returning the punch. And before I know it, both of them are fighting as hard as they can. I’m in shock, and I’m in such surprise I can’t muster up enough to break up the fight like I normally would. So they just keep punching and pulling.
“Stop!” shouts Emily. But of course, they don’t listen. So Emily goes over to them and tries to pull them apart, but instead she ends up with two hands that accidentally missed each other’s face, and slides down the wall, ignoring the pain as the flashback begins for her, placing a hand on her head.
Lucy stands up as soon as she sees them accidentally injure Emily. She rushes over to them. “Oi, boys!” she shouts in a powerful shout. Both men stop dead in their tracks, and Susan rushes into the room.
“What on earth is going on here?!” says Susan, helping Emily up from the wall.
“Oh, shxt, Em!” shouts Ray, realizing what happened.
Susan looks at Ray with angry eyes. “I think you best leave her alone for now. Come on, Em.” She says, walking her into the room she was previously in.”
Lucy looks back at the men now shell-shocked at what they managed to do.
“Are you boys proud?” she says, her tone rising. “All of this built up anger, you managed to traumatize a poor girl. Your lover, Ray. Is it all worth it? And Gerard, don’t you walk away just yet. You should realize you’re just as big a culprit as a victim. Don’t go around with all this sympathy for yourself. Keep your rage to yourselves. Don’t flood it into everyone else’s life. Now sweetie, I know you lost so many people you love, but you have. To. Move. On.” Both of them are now silent, their heads down. “I hope you’re both so happy with yourselves.” She shakes her head to herself and walks into the room following Susan and Emily. I can’t help but agree.
Lucy’s POV
Both those kids better get their act together. I rush into the next room to help Susan and Emily.
“Is she alright?” I ask Susan. I’d rather not ask Emily, I don’t wanna strain her during a flashback.
“Just a couple of hits.” She says. I can already see the two bruises forming.
“But I don’t know what those two boys triggered, and I don’t think I’m going to ask her. Not going to out her through having to explain it.”
I nod to her. “Need any help?” I ask. She smiles at me.
“I think I can finish it, but thank you.”
And Emily slowly opens her eyes. “Are they done fighting?” she asks.
“Yes.” Says Susan.
“Those boys need to get their act together, or they’re gonna end up killing someone.” I say.
“Did you say something to them?” Emily looks up at me.
“Yeah. I think they got the message. I’ve lost my sympathy for them.”
“I’m starting to, too.” Says Susan. “I mean, I don’t wanna be too hard on Gerard, but you’re right, Luce. I think he’s stretching it a bit.”
Ray and Gerard open the door and look in.
“OUT.” We all say in unison. They sigh and close the door in front of them.
“I’ll talk to Gerard.” Susan dabs some cold water from the basin on Emily’s bruises.
“And I’ll talk to Ray.” Emily winces a bit, but doesn’t pull away.
And in almost no time at all, Frank opens the door. We glare at him.
“What did I do?” he asks. “I just have something I need to tell you girls.”
“Yes?” says Susan.
“Lucy, Susan, do you remember the letter Gerard asked me to send to Jaqueline?”
We nod. Frank shuts the door behind him.
“Well…” he sighs. “I got a letter back.”

Notes

So, I'll post what the letter says in the next chapter, and I'll try to update as much as possible, but I might not be updating /as/ much as I used to. But I'll still try and do one every 2-3 days at the most. But of course, I'll try to every day. I'm just not sure if I'll be able to.