LIFE WITHOUT LOVE
Chapter 4: Accidents and Explanations
The next day, Alex was up and ready for school. After taking a bath and eating breakfast, his father drove him. He was a little late, but he knew Mrs. Cunningham wouldn't mind too much. Walking into the classroom with a smiled, he turned to see the teacher writing on the chalkboard. It wasn't Mrs. Cunningham; it was some one else. She had gray hair up in a tight bun, and was slightly over weight. Wordlessly, he sat down at his desk and leaned over to Danny.
"Where's Miss. Cunningham?"
"Don't know. She might be sick at home, my dad says that there's a whole bunch bugs going around, but I don't understand what bugs have to do with people getting sick." He whispered back, and Alex frowned. It wasn't like her not to be there, she loved school more than anything. Decided that Danny was right, he put it out of his mind and endured the grueling lessons until it was time to go home. Rick was outside waiting when he walked from the building, and jumped into the car.
"Hi son, how was school?" He questioned, noticing a glum look on his face. "What's the matter?"
"Miss. Cunningham wasn't at school today."
"She might have been sick son, it's nothing to worry about." He patted his shoulder, and they decided to go to the park anyway. It was a beautiful day, and with nothing to do at home why not?
*****
The next day and the same routine, but this time when Alex walked into the class, it was the same old teacher.
"Excuse me, but where's Miss. Cunningham?" He questioned her as he stood in front of the desk, noticing that his teacher's things were gone.
"I'm not quite sure, some sort of an accident. She won't be here for a long while young man." She grumbled, getting back to her writing.
The day couldn't go slower for Alex, and he was worried sick. His friend, and partly another mother, wasn't going to be there for a long time. Why? He didn't know, but he figured that he'd find out. Calling his father at lunch break, and telling him not to pick him up, he decided to go to her house.
It was a warm day, and Alex smiled at the prospects of seeing her again since parent teacher conferences. He knocked on the door, waiting for a reply.
Geoffry opened the door, and Alex noticed that he was in bad shape. He hadn't shaved for what appeared to be three days, and he smelled badly of liquor.
"Is Miss. Cunningham here?" He asked in his little boy voice, seeing the smile on his face as he remembered Alex.
"No Alex, she's not here. Come on in, I'll explain everything." He led him into the house, and tried to straighten himself up a little bit. "Alex, sit down, I'm afraid I have some bad news. Sarah was killed coming home from the meetings the other night. A drunk driver hit her head on, and she died on the scene." He sobbed, looking over at the stunned little boy.
"But she can't be." He cried, then jumped back, away from him. "You're lying! She's not gone, she can't be!" He yelled, running from the house and straight home.
Tears blinded his vision as he ran, stopping only to open the front door, where he ran straight into Rick. "Woah…what happened?" He questioned, lifting his son into his arms as he held him close.
"Miss. Cunningham was killed in an accident! They said that she's dead!" He cried, burying his face into his father's shoulder, sobbing hysterically.
Rick sighed, walking over to the parlor and sitting with Alex on his lap. "Son, you remember what I told you about mum?" At his nod, he continued. "It's the same thing. God puts people into our life; he's the only one who can take them away. Your mother loved you very much Alex, as did Sarah, and I'm sure that we'll see them again. We just have to make the best of things while we still have time. Before we go and visit them." He smiled, rubbing Alex's back as he rocked back and forth.
"Dad…" Alex spoke up when he'd calmed down.
"Hmmm?"
"Do you think that Sarah is up in heaven with mum right now?"
"I know she is Alex. I know she is." He added gently, kissing his forehead as they went to eat dinner.
*****
The next few weeks were hard on Alex, and Rick began to home school him. Using all of the books that Evie had in her vast library, he decided that it would be best for his son, and for himself. It's hard to live without love, but Rick was beginning to pull it off. He knew he'd never fall in love again, or ever marry but he was sure that Alex would always be taken care of. He'd make sure.
The End
Authors note: I hope you all enjoyed it, I know I know….it's a little sad huh? Well that's what I was going for. A good ole tear jerker!!! ENJOY! And happy writing.