Nic
As he reaches the door, he is on the brink of losing it. He just wants to be anywhere else. But again, he forces himself to remain calm and after taking another deep breath, he knocks. After a few moments he can hear footsteps coming nearer. And then, the door opens and he looks into the face of a beautiful young woman. "Rebecca?" He can't believe his eyes. Can this really be his chubby little sister? This woman in front of him merely resembles the picture of the sister he remembers. Her blonde hair is short and her once so kind looking face is now cold. When he left, she was only 13 years old. And she was chubby. Now she is thin and sporty. She could easily be a model. "Dominic." Even her voice sounds different. She doesn't smile, she doesn't hug me or gives any sign, that she is happy to see me. I can see why she wouldn't. When I left, she had problems. She was depressed and she tried to kill herself more than once. I was one of the few people who could cheer her up when she was down in what she called her 'black tunnel'. She wrote to me, called me a hundred times. I never answered. After a few years, she stopped trying to get in touch with me.
"We weren't sure weather you'd show up." she adds and after examining me for a second, she steps aside, to allow me to come in. I'm still shocked by her appearance, that I don't say anything, but step over the threshold. She closes the door behind her and greets Mephisto, who seems to like her. "What's his name?" she asks without looking at me. "Mephisto." My voice sounds funny. I clear my throat. There are so many things I want to say to my little sister, but I know, that nothing would change anything. I left her. She hates me for it.
After getting rid of my shoes an my jacket, I follow her into the living room. There are 3 people sitting at a round table, drinking coffee. My uncle, Jerry, the only person I know. A handsome looking, young man who must be my big brother Chris, and... my father. I thought I was prepared for this. Prepared to meet him. But now I know, I was wrong. "Look who showed up." At Rebeccas words all three heads turn. The look on my fathers face as he recognizes me... I shouldn't have come. I know that now. Because nothing could have prepared me for the hatred I see in his eyes. He doesn't say anything. He just stares at me with his little black eyes, like I'm a bug, like I'm something disgusting. I quickly look away and find my brothers eyes. He looks surprised, maybe a little angry, but he at last, seems to be happy, that I came. "Nic." he stands up and walks towards me. "Nice of you to show up." he grins and shakes my head. "You look nice." I say. He laughs. "You look like shit." Now I also have to grin broadly. He's exactly like I remember him. Older, of course. But his humor is still the same. "No wonder he looks like shit.." Uncle Jerry joins our little reunion and shakes my hand. "He's been to war, you know. Seen it all." he grins his typical Jerry-grin and pats me on the back. "Good soldier, this one. Can't complain. And where is my favorite fleabag?" He searches to room for Mephisto and then goes of to greet him too. I'm left there with my brother and the ever lasting, hateful look of my father. I clear my throat awkwardly, before walking up to him. "Hi Mr. Bowker." I never called him father, because he never was one to me. He looks at my outstretched hand and then back at me, without taking it. Then, he stands up and leaves the room without another word. Rebecca sighs and shakes her head. I try not to be too hurt by this. I never had a great relationship with my father, but this..? No one seems to know what to say. But before the awkward silence is broken by any of us, the front door opens and a familiar, female voice Calls the names of my family.
Offene Arme der gewaltigste Protest den wir haben, will sagen: Bevor noch jemand hinfällt, passt bitte aufeinander auf in dieser scheiß Welt!