Fan Fiction |
by Jenny Tran
Jeremy and Joanne rode in the same car back home “Jo, don’t tell dad anything, he doesn’t need to know what happened tonight.” Her brother warned.
She rolled her eyes “I know, I know, you’re worse than mom!” she exclaimed with frustration.
“Well, someone’s got to look out for you. I wouldn’t have to repeat it if you would just stay out of trouble!” he scolded.
“Its your fault for taking me to a gay bar!!” she retorted.
He was about to open his mouth but realized that he did take her to the bar. He was actually looking for a person that he worked with at the Social Service department. Jeremy wasn’t sure if he was gay but he knew the kid liked to hang out at the bars at night time. Unfortunately he didn’t see him there. “Either way, just don’t open your big mouth and brag about tonight. You hear me?”
She stuck out her tongue in reply. Joanne was quiet the rest of the way home. When they walked through the door, they found Jeffrey and their father talking in low voices. The two exchanged glances and Joanne bounced her way over to her dad “Daddy, Im home!” she gave him her sweetest smile.
The elder man gave her a stern look and motioned for her to follow him. Jeffrey shrugged his shoulders when Joanne gave him a questioning look. After they left to the next room, Jeremy immediately ran to his friend “Jeff, what did you tell father?”
Jeffrey smiled and continued to shrug his shoulders “Nothing important.” His friend ruffled his eyebrows with concern “Don’t worry, she’s not in trouble, I know Uncle is weak.” He patted his friend on the back “Hey, I’ve got to go now.”
Jeremy shook his head “Don’t you ever take a break? The police department has enough people! I swear, you live for that kind of work.”
“And how about you? Mr. Social worker. You practically live at that little office.” He wrapped an arm around his friend shoulders and walked out towards the door “Face it, we were born to serve the people. Hey, Im gonna go now, I’ll see you this weekend.”
“Okay. See you then.” He closed the door after Jeffrey left and turned around in time to see his sister walking out with their dad. She had a scowl on her face while their father looked please with the outcome.
“Jeremy, you make sure she stays out of trouble okay?” the elder man gave a light cough and took a deep breath “Im tired, you two should sleep soon too.”
“Good night dad.” The two said in unison.
After their father left, Jeremy turned to his sister “What did he tell you?”
She wrinkled her nose “Jeff told him about the opening in the suicidal department where he works at. Dad wants me to join the team.”
Jeremy covered his mouth to keep from laughing “Oh my gosh! That’s a joke!” he exclaimed but soon lowered his voice “What did you say?”
“What can I say? No? Then he’ll really get a heart attack. You know daddy, he’s always telling us how to give back to the community. I don’t know why we have to! We work hard for the money.”
Jeremy cleared his throat “Ahem! Excuse me Miss Princess? Must I remind you that you do not work? All you do is get an allowance every month and spend it, tell me when have you ever worked in your life?” he placed his hands at his waist towering over her.
“Well, that one time, I helped this lady across the street and she gave me a dollar.” It was such a nonsense reply but she knew that her brother was right, she’s never had to work a day in her life while her brother poured his heart into his work.
“That’s because she probably thought you were a beggar. I mean, look at you!” he pointed to her clothes “You dress like a boy. People are beginning to ask me if you are my brother!”
Joanne muffled a laugh “That’s the point. I don’t need idiots to approach me.”
Jeremy snickered “Like they would normally.” He ignored the evil glare that his sister gave him “Well, its getting late, have fun tomorrow at work!” he let out a laugh and walked up the stairs to his room leaving.
*************
Virginia tried to chase after Freddie but he was quicker as he got a cab and they drove off leaving her standing there in awe. She knew he could be a little dramatic but that was ridiculous. She eventually drove herself home, he didn’t come strolling in until around 1am. She was waiting up for him “Freddie!” she was dozing off when she heard the rattling of the keys.
“You still up?” he didn’t look impressed.
“Yeah, I didn’t know where you went. What did that girl say? Why did you get so mad like that?”
His face turned a crimson red “Don’t mention that little she-boy! If I ever see it again, I swear, I’ll knock out all of it’s teeth!”
She smiled “Freddie, it’s a she. And what happened to your rule of not hitting a girl?”
“Some people just need a beating you know? Anyways, she called me a half and half, Im all woman! How dare she call me that!”
Virginia rolled her eyes “Just for that?” she covered a yawn and began to walk back to her room “Well, Im tired Mr. All Woman, so Im going to sleep.” She gave him a sheepish grin. The sudden sound of his cell phone startled her as she jumped and turn back. She saw him staring at the screen but he didn’t pick up the phone. “Who is it?” she asked after the third ring. He brought it up to her face. “Your sister? Aren’t you going to answer that?”
He waited until the last minute and then picked up the call. “Hello?”
“Where have you been? I’ve been trying to call you!”
“What is it, Ga Jei?” he rolled his eyes, she was always exaggering. He only got one call from her when he left the bar that night.
“Dad’s dying, you want to see him for the last time then come to Yan Sum hospital now!” with that she hung up.
Freddie’s face went pale as he let the cell phone fall from his ears, it began to fall but Virginia caught it in the nick of time. “Freddie! What’s the matter, you almost dropped this.” When she looked up at him, she realized that something was really wrong “What’s wrong?” she asked with more concern.
“My father.” His eyes began to well up with tears. “I have to go see him.” Yet his feet was still planted to the ground.
“Come on, I’ll take you.” She rushed to her room and got a jacket and retrieved her keys.
She sped to the hospital and double parked her car in the front. Yanking Freddie from his seat as she pulled him into the double doors. She approached to receptionist and asked for the room number. “Second Floor, room 215. You better hurry, he might not hold up much longer.” She said casually.
Virginia didn’t have to rush her friend since he ran off without her, taking the stairs, he skipped two steps each and push open the door and burst through the room. All eyeballs stared back at him. His sister Linda and younger brother Michael standing on each side of the bed. His father had tubes and wires attached to every part of his body. He eyes were half closed as he turned his head to look at his son. “Where have you been? Father’s been asking about you.” Linda scolded.
Freddie didn’t reply, instead his eyes were glued to his father’s. Tears dripping from his cheeks and hitting the ground. “I want to talk to Fred.” The old man whispered.
Linda, Michael and their other relatives left the room giving them privacy. When the door closed, Freddie rushed to his father’s side “Daddy.” He whispered through tears.
“Don’t cry Fred. Im going to a better place.” The dying man gave his son a weak smile “I never told you this, but you were my favorite.”
Freddie smiled and nodded “I know. You told me when I was 10.” His face turned grim “Im sorry dad, this family would have been happy if it wasn’t for me. I didn’t want to be gay, it just happened. I swear it wasn’t to give you a heart attack.”
The old man tried to chuckle “I understand now.” He sighed softly “I wish I could have realized that before. Now your sister and brother think you are the sinner of all time.”
Freddie shook his head “I don’t care what they think.” He said almost harshly.
“You know what my wish was on my 50th birthday?” Freddie shook his head sadly “To see you three as you were when you were small. Remember how you three use to get along so well?”
He smiled at the recollection of memories that began to swarm back into his mind “Yes, I remember when one of us did something bad, the other two wouldn’t tattle tale so we all ended up being hit. I wish we could be like that again.” He said whole heartedly.
The man smiled “Im sure you will one day.” He squeezed his son’s hand “Whatever you do, be happy….”
“Daddy?” he whispered as he looked up on the heart monitor. It was lowering rapidly “Daddy?” he said louder, the constant beep of the monitor showed him that his heart gave up. Freddie cried openly as he let go of his father’s hand and wrapped his arms around his chest.
The door swung open as Linda and Michael watched their brother embraced their dead father. Michael walked over to the bed side and squeezed his brother’s shoulder “Yee Gor.” He said softly.
“It’s all your fault!!” his sister cried out. Freddie ignored her as he let the tears flowed from his eyes “If you didn’t have to announce to this family that you were gay, he wouldn’t have a heart attack. You thought leaving would help him? He was even more worried in the past year. You never bothered calling.” She stopped to wipe her own tears while Michael returned to her side and put a protective arm around her “He died because of you.” She finished.
Freddie let go of his father and looked up at his sister who was crying on Michael’s shoulders. “I didn’t want him to die as much as you didn’t want him to. Why do you have to say those things now? It’s a little too late.” His voice was monotone and emotionless. He looked like a zombie as he walked out of the room, he glanced up and saw Virginia with tears in her eyes. He tapped her on the shoulder, hinting for them to leave. She nodded and followed him out of the hospital.
At home he stayed up talking about his father, how much he loved him when he was a kid. But everything seemed to changed when he turned 18 and announced to everyone in the family that he was gay. He didn’t expect a good response nor any supporters, all he really asked for is understanding. Yet it seemed like no one did. Virginia knew how much her friend loved his family eventhough he didn’t see them, there were certain things that he did which reminded him of his father, mother, brother and even his sister. Linda and Freddie were really close at one time, she never excepted the fact that her brother was gay. Michael was different, he understood and excepted but never supported his brother. Their connection eventually closed down after Freddie moved out when he turned 21.
Virginia listened as he talked most of the night away. Eventually he was so tired that he fell asleep on the couch lying on Virginia’s lap. His body curled up into a ball while her hand rested on his head. She dozed off after Freddie fell asleep. The next morning, she found a blanket over her body, her position didn’t move the whole night. When she opened her eyes, she found him cooking breakfast. “Freddie?” she asked.
“Good Morning sleepy head! How would you like your eggs this morning? Scrambled or sunny side up? How about scrambled, its healthier for you.” He babbled on and on about the weather and how well he slept last night.
She let him ignore his pain as she got ready for work, they ate breakfast together. He continued to talk about his work and how his boss was a jerk. “Why don’t you quit then?”
“I still need clothes, Ginny.” He said a matter of factly.
“You have plenty of clothes.” She replied reasonably.
“You can never have enough clothes my friend.” He smiled and took a mouthful of eggs. “Hey, you got any plans this weekend? Me and a bunch of my friends are doing a barbeque on the beach. Come and join us.”
“Freddie, stop.” She said quietly.
“No really, it’ll be soo much fun! I’ll even introduce you to the straight ones. Yes, there are straight guys there too, especially for you.” He nodded firmly with a huge grin.
“Freddie, you don’t have to do this. I know that you’re hurt.”
In a heartbeat he dropped his fork and put a hand over his eyes “I can’t stop thinking about it, Ginny. I can’t! I was the cause of his death!”
“No you are not! Stop blaming yourself! If you knew that your sexuality would change the course of his life, would you have told him that you were gay?”
He shook his head “Of course not. I’d bring in a girlfriend and even get married to her to give him peace of mind.”
She smiled at her friend “If you were willing to go against your heart for your father, how could you even say that you were the cause of his death. Everyone is going to die at one point in their lives, its just a matter of when. God takes the best with him. You cannot blame yourself for something you cannot control. This will just give you stress and more worries. Think about what I just said.” She gave Freddie a warm hug before picking up her stuff “Im going now. If you need me, give me a ring.”
He nodded thankfully “I know. Thanks Ginny.” He gave her a smile to assure her.
She gave her friend a quick glance before leaving the house. She hoped that her words would sink in.