Chapter 6: Reason's

Grant has two days of anxiously waiting to see if Amber’s doctor will call.  But he’s enjoyed the banter in the new group chat for the joint project he’s joined with Marcus and Amber as well as a few others.  As the group chat has already been set and it’s become very lively these last few days.

He’s discovered that Amber seems a little more serious than Stacey was in the past.  But she has a dry sense of humour that he finds fascinating.  The doctor finally called him on the second day after meeting with Karen.

She told him that she couldn’t discuss Amber’s case with him, but she could say that he should get to know Amber as though she was a new person to him. That even by doing that it might trigger some buried memories for her.  She also cautioned him not to make comparisons between the two, as Stacey really believes she is Amber now.  He had thanked her and asked if he could call her if he had some more questions or concerns? She had agreed, but ask him to text her andshe would call him when she was free.  She also warned him, that he shouldn’t think about getting too close to her too quickly, as that could really back fire.

After talking to her doctor, he is excited to see her again in just another two days for the first official meeting for the new build of Saint Christopher School which they’ve already shorten to SCS.

That night Amber shares some new source material in the group chat as well as a self doodled picture of them all sitting around a table.  Capturing each of their features perfectly in cartoon form.

Everyone has something to say and he spends the night happily texting within the chat with everyone.  Amber says she is going to be going to check out, a new material and how it is made, in order to see if it could be used for their project.  Grant offers to go with her and she agrees asking him when he’s free.

They decide to meet the morning before the group meeting for SCS.  He feels lighter and happier than he has for the last three years, making him remember that he should go and talk to his bother.

So, the next day he asks his brother out for a drink after work.  When they meet, he asks him about what happened three years ago.  At first, he tries to play it off.  But seeing how serious Grant is he nods and sits straighter and turns slightly towards his brother.

“I wanted to go back to yours and get your phone, when we knew you were alright and out of danger.  But Mum was totally against it.  Like vehemently against it, we even argued.  It was Dad that took me to the side and said he thought that mum might have been really scared about your accident and that I should just go along with her for now” he explains

Grant looks at him though and see’s something in his look that he is wondering on whether or not to talk about it.

“What else are you keeping from me?” he asks Luke, who shakes his head “I really don’t know if I should say it man, it might be nothing.  I just thought it strange at the time” he answers

Grant holds his arm “I need to know everything” he states trying to convey his need.  Luke sighs but nods his head “alright, but please don’t jump to conclusions? We can't know how each family member reacted to your accident and how they dealt with it” he asks looking Grant in the eye, he waits for him to nod before continuing.

“I learnt that Stacey had been in a car accident.  I mentioned it to Mum and Dad over dinner and Mum said not to mention it to you.  Dad and I thought it was wrong to keep it from you, but she got really upset so, we ended up agreeing to keep it from you.  Once Stacey’s Mum moved her to another hospital.  I couldn’t check in on her after that.  When you went home before having your eye surgery.  Mum argued with us, that you needed to be kept calm and not for us to stir your emotions with meaningless stuff.  It was hard for me though seeing you going through such a hard time.  I nearly told you a few times, but worried that I might inadvertently affect your surgery, so kept quiet.  Mum doesn’t even like hearing her name now” he finishes taking a sip of his drink.

“Mum and Dad loved Stacey, that she was willing to be with me, even though I was practically blind and loved me fully for just being me.  So, what the hell changed?” Grant wonders out loud.

“I don’t know man.  Did she think that Stacey caused your accident? Let me tell you, she was in a coma man.  No-one knew if or when she would wake-up? She could still be laying in a bed somewhere?” Luke says with some heat showing he did think that there was something going on.

“She isn’t, she’s a wake.  But because she lost her dad, and I was a selfish prick that caused her to leave her mother and come visit me just days after that.  We had a huge argument.  I think, that me being incredibly selfish was the straw that broke the tight hold she had on her emotions.  I want to punch my old self, when I think about how insecure I was and how I always tested her love for me.  She ran out so upset, that she ran in front of a car right outside my building” Grant tells him taking a big breath and then a big gulp of his drink.

“She was in a coma for a year and when she woke up because of the torma I gave her and the loss of her dad.  She now thinks she is her twin sister, who died when they were two!” Grant continues as a tear rolls down his cheek.

His brother pats his back “shit man, I’m sorry.  What are you going to do?” Luke asks him “I’m going to get to know Amber.  I’ve spoken to her doctor and she said to treat her as a new friend.  I miss her man, so fucking much.  If all she wants to be now is friends, then I’ll be her friend.  I also think we shouldn’t mention this to mum though.  I’ll try and find out what is going on with her first” Grant replies

“Of course, anything you want.  I hope things work out for you.  You’ve changed yourself too.  You’re not that same insecure man you once were” Luke reassures him

They continue to drink and talk which helps Grant feel more at ease, that he at least has his brother’s blessings.  But before going to sleep he wonders what happened to change his mothers view about Stacey so completely?

The next day he looks forward to seeing Amber and spending time with her.  He really wants to know her as she is now and hopes she likes him, as he is now.  He dresses carefully before heading to work.

Once he arrives, he has a message from his father to go see him in his office.  He goes straight to his father’s office.  “Hi Dad” he greets

“Son, come and sit down” his father says moving from behind his desk and walking to the comfy seating area in his office.  Grant sits and waits for his father to tell him what’s on his mind.

His father clears his throat and shifts in his seat.  A sure sign he isn’t confident with what he’s about to say.  “Do you really think this joint project you’ve taken on, is the best way to go?” he asks “yes, I do” Grant answers confidently.

“The whole design world will be watching us and what we can do.  This is the first time so many of us from different fields will come together and work closely with each other. Discussing and deciding on every little aspect of the build and what we'll include in it.  This is our time to show the rest of the world, what we can do with the new tech out there.  That can really help people with disabilities, live a more independent life.  This will challenge me and I’m excited for it.  I need this” he continues showing his father just how excited he is for it.

His father smiles a little reluctantly “in that case I’m totally behind you.  It’s good to challenge yourself, because without those challenges we don’t grow and we always need to grow.  Good for you, come to me if you need someone to bounce ideas off or if you get stuck” his father says looking warmly at him now.

“Thanks Dad, I wonder why you thought it wasn’t a good idea though?” Grant says as casually as he can.  “Your mother worried that it might be to much for you.  I think she is worried about your health.  Don’t think just because your grown now, that we stop worrying?” his father says smiling.

“I see, don’t worry Dad.  I would never accept anything that, I thought I couldn’t complete to the best of my ability.  The team that Marcus has gathered is full of talent.  You should trust me a little more, have I not proven, I’m not that insecure man anymore?” Grant questions knowing that putting it this way, his father will feel terrible about making him think he doesn’t trust his judgment.  He knows it’s a little low.  But thinking of his mother trying to control his life doesn’t sit well with him either!

“No, we trust you.  I shouldn’t have said anything.  Sorry, I support you fully and think you are right.  I’m also looking forward to seeing how the finished build will look” his father reassures him.

“Okay thanks Dad, was there anything else? I have a few phone calls to make before I have to leave for a meeting” Grant asks his father who shakes his head no, “go on about your work, son.”  Grant stands up and pats his dad’s shoulder before leaving and going to his own office.

Leaving his father sitting there happy his son seems so excited about life again.  It’s been a while since he’s seen that light in his eyes and enthusiasm.  He doesn’t know what is going on with his wife, but he agrees with Grant fully and will have to make sure she understands that its ultimately Grants decision.