Forever and Always ✔️

Chapter eight - Zack.

"When's dad getting home?" Matt asked our mom as we sat at the breakfast table on a Saturday morning. I wanted to know the answer as much as Matt did, dad hadn't been home in four weeks and no one was telling us why.

Mom cleared her throat and stopped chewing her cereal. "Um, I told you, sweetie. He's out of town on a business trip and I don't know when he'll be back." I couldn't help but notice that my mother could be a very good liar but when it came to our father, not so much.

"Why can't you just tell us the truth?" I said as I finished off my juice, "I know something's wrong."

Mom sighed heavily, finishing off her last mouthful. "I gotta head into work, I'll see you boys later today." She kissed Matt on the head and patted me on the shoulder and whispered, "Don't say things like that in front of Matty, okay?"

She grabbed her jacket and her keys and quickly rushed out the door where her car roared to life and she left to go to work on a Saturday morning, leaving me to babysit Matt again.

"Eat your breakfast," I said to him as I noticed that he was playing with his food, "then we can go to the park."

He smiled for a short few seconds then it disappeared again. "Okay." Dad always seemed to do this to him, he never explained when he was coming back or where he was going and it left Matt in the dark.

I pulled out my cell phone and dialled his number, hoping to get a response. But nothing, it went straight to voicemail making me more angry with him. Matt soon finished his breakfast and he raced upstairs, I could always tell if something was bothering him and as his brother, it broke my heart a little.

After a few moments, Matt came down again with his shoes on and a soccer ball in his hand. He didn't say anything, he just flung the front door open and waited by my car. My keys were in my pocket as I checked them before locking up the house. "You ready?"

He nodded. "Hurry up, unlock the car!"

I did as he said and he quickly got in. Oh, the things I did for him. I followed him into the car and started the engine. "Do you think dad's going to come back this time?"

My gaze didn't bother to move to look Matt in the eyes because the truth was, I had no idea. "To be honest, I don't know. I'll try to ask mom about it, okay? But don't worry, you just have fun at the park."

He nodded, kicking his feet as he watched the road. Once we approached the park, there was no stopping Matt from jumping out of the car to shoot some goals with the other kids.

I called Gray to see what he was up to. "Hey, wanna hang? I'm at the park with Matt."

"Sure, give me ten minutes and I'll be there." We hung up and I got out of the car to sit on a park bench that outlooked the entire park. I watched my little brother forget about dad and then my mind switched to Penelope.

I could picture her like she was right in front of me just telling me about her life and I hoped one day, she would trust me like a best friend. But I want to be more than just a best friend, I reminded myself. What would my life be if I hadn't laid my eyes on her?

Ten minutes later, Matt changed to the swing set and threw his soccer ball towards me. "Hey, Gray!" Matt shouted from the swing set as Gray sat down next to me.

"Hey, buddy! How are you doing?"

"Good!" Matt shouted back and then Gray turned to me. "So, what's the update on Miss Collins?"

I sighed. "I don't know, I can't hold on any longer. I gave her my number, though and told her when she's ready she can call me."

"Patience, my friend." Gray smiled, ignoring the part where I gave Penelope my number. "You were right to say that, now give her time and she will call."