More bad news

Back at Mrs. Geoff’s house, you tried to pick up the pieces of your life. Living with her was strange at first, like trying on clothes that didn’t quite fit. But she was patient, giving you the space and time to adjust, while still being present and supportive. Her kindness filled a void you hadn’t realized was so deep. She didn’t try to replace your mother, but she did everything to ensure you felt like you had a home, and someone who truly cared.

Despite her warmth, you still struggled with feelings of guilt and isolation. You wondered what your mother must be going through, whether she regretted her decision or if she missed you at all. But no matter how much you hoped for some sign of remorse or reconciliation, the silence from her was deafening.

Then, the devastating news arrived. Your father had died in an accident. Alison called you late at night, her voice trembling with the weight of the news. “He’s gone, Alex,” she said, her words barely above a whisper. “Dad’s gone.”

The world seemed to blur around you as the news sank in. Your father, who had always been a distant figure in your life, was gone. The finality of it left you numb. You hadn’t even had a chance to make amends, to bridge the gap that had always existed between you two. And now, it was too late.

Your mother, already fragile, had taken the news badly. Alison said she’d become unrecognizable, a shell of the woman she used to be. Losing her husband on top of the strain from disowning you had broken her in a way that frightened even Alison. “She’s not... she’s not herself anymore,” Alison said, her voice breaking. “I can’t stay there, Alex. I can’t watch her like that.”

Alison moved out shortly after, leaving your mother alone in the family home. You felt an ache deep in your chest, a **** desire to reach out, to do something to help. But you knew that even if you tried, your mother wouldn’t want to see you. You were, in her eyes, already gone.

Through all of this, Mrs. Geoff remained steadfast. She supported you as you navigated the grief of losing your father and the complicated emotions surrounding your mother’s decline. She encouraged you to focus on your own healing, gently pushing you to find new interests and routines that could help you rebuild your life.