Love Will Come Through

He gave a start as he woke up by the doorbell. He blinked against the light that came through the curtains. He looked at his alarm that was on his night stand, but he couldn’t see it properly. He reached out and took his glasses, seeing that it was 7 A.M
7 A.M?
Who would rang his bell at…
Chris sat up, looking at his bed and saw Noreen was still there, fast asleep. Chris scrambled over to the side of his bed and fetched his boxer, putting it on. He picked up his hemp and pulled it over his head as he left the bedroom, closing the bedroom door behind him. He made his way over to the door and wrenched it open, revealing Paul in his jogging outfit.
Oh God - I forgot -
‘You’re still in your pyjamas!’ Paul said who looked at Chris.
Chris stared struck at Paul
‘I-I just woke up’
‘I can see that’ Paul sighed and stepped inside before Chris had noticed ‘Get dressed, I will make you some Earl Grey’
Chris kept staring at Paul as his brother entered the kitchen
Oh God - How could I’ve forgotten him - I can’t leave Noreen -
And Chris felt too tired. They had only fallen asleep a few hours ago, and he felt too worn out.
‘Paul!’ Chris said and closed the front door and followed his brother into the kitchen ‘I’m sorry, but I-’
Paul putted the water boiler down ‘Oh come one, you’re not saying you don’t want too’
‘No I-… I don’t feel too well’
Paul raised an eyebrow
‘I-I’m really tired’ Chris tried
‘You don’t look so well’ Paul agreed, examining Chris, ‘you’re sweating’
Chris quickly whipped his forehead with the back of his head. Paul was right. He was sweating. If Paul would hear her. If he would see her. Chris knew Paul too well that he would be capable of entering his bedroom to help him get dressed to go jogging anyway. Noreen could wake up. Call him. Or leave the bedroom. Chris knew he could trust his brother, but he didn’t want him to know. This was too serious, and he could get Paul into trouble as well
‘I-I’m sorry, Paul’ Chris said almost desperate
Please go -
‘I-I don’t think I’m capable of going with you’
Paul looked a long time at his brother, and Chris was sure he was offended. But he eventually nodded. ‘Alright’ he said and nodded, pouring a cup of steaming water. ‘Are you going to school?’
Chris thought for a moment. He didn’t want to. He and Noreen had to talk, and he wanted to spent some time with her. He shook his head.
Paul nodded again, putting a tea bag in the cup ‘You’re probably getting the flu again’ Paul said
‘Again?’ Chris asked, an eyebrow raised
‘Yes, again’ Paul said, rolling his eyes and walking past Chris and entering the hall. ‘With the food you eat’
Chris nodded
Better keep him busy… But he needs to leave….
‘I will get you some fruit’ Paul said and walked over to the front door.
‘No, there is no need too’ Chris said, leaning against the doorpost of the kitchen door. ‘I’ve got some oranges here’
Paul nodded again. ‘Alright’ he said. ‘Drink a lot, and I will call you tonight’
He smiled faintly, but grateful at his brother. ‘I’m really sorry’
Paul shook his head. ‘No it’s alright. You shouldn’t get outside if you are getting sick’ Paul winked and bade him goodbye and closed the front door behind him. He stared at the door for a few seconds, and he could hear Paul jumping of the stairs. He rested his forehead against the door frame, closing his eyes.
Oh God - I hate lying to him - I hate it -
Chris sighed and walked over to the kitchen where the tea stood. He took the cup and threw the teabag in the sink. He walked back to the bedroom and found Noreen was still asleep. He leaned against the wall and sat down on the ground, drinking his tea as he watched Noreen.
Oh God - It was - wrong - We shouldn’t have done it -
He drank a bit of his hot tea, but he couldn’t help but also feel happy about last night
It was - wonderful - I never felt like that before -
She began to stir, and she sat up, running her hand through her hair.
‘Good morning’ she said weakly, and he couldn’t help but smile at her.
‘Hey’ he said and putted his cup down. He looked back at her.
Oh God - She's so cute -
'Did you sleep well?' he asked her. She nodded. He than brought his hand to his neck.
'Listen, Noreen' he said, but paused before he went on 'I-I can't deny I really love you'
I do - I really -
'But - you might know there are some problems'
She looked at him, and he saw her face looked a bit afraid.
‘I know’ she said and looked at her hand that was holding the sheets in front of her.
‘And I-…’ He said, and she looked up at him. He at once lost his words, so he had to chuckle nervously. ‘I don’t know what to do’ he admitted.
She nodded and got up from the bed, wrapping the sheets around her body, she came towards him. She sat down on the ground in front of him, placing her hand on his knee.
‘I want to be with you’ she said.
‘And I want to be with you’ he said with a smile on his face.
'But - do you really thing it's all worth it?' he asked her
I can lose my job - All those years of studying -
'And - your father - '
I could have been your father -
'If someone finds out - . we can get into serious trouble'
She nodded again and she again stared sadly in front of her.
‘Maybe I should leave, than’ she said softly
Chris looked up at her at once.
'No' he said
I don't want you to go -
'I was just - wondering whether you find it worthy - ' he added
I do - You make me feel like I've never felt before -
'We - we're risking a lot' he said
‘But I don’t want you to lose your job. We shouldn’t risk this’ she said.
Chris shook his head again
'No' he said 'I - I love you - '
This was important to him. He had never felt his, so he wanted to keep this. He would not lose this feeling. He would not lose her!
'If we - if we keep it a secret - '
God, you won't be able to keep it a secret - You lie a lot - but not to Paul -
She nodded. ‘I won’t tell’
Chris believed her straight away. Not only he could get into trouble, but she as well
I hope she really won't - And if she tells anyone - . lets hope that person can hold a secret too
He tilted his head and rested it against hers. He kissed her head softly and placed his head back
I could sit here for hours - With her - Just her -
'I - I'm not going to school today' he said to her
Don't want too - And I already told Paul I wouldn't go -
‘I don’t want to go either’ she said. ‘I want to be with you’
He smiled at her. ‘Than stay’ he said and kissed her temple. ‘Please’
She nodded again and Chris smiled
‘Do you want breakfast?’ she asked her. Again, she nodded. He got up, and pulled her up as well. He got dressed quickly and he gave her his dressing gown which she putt on before she followed him to the kitchen.
When he opened the fridge, he noticed he didn’t have much he could use for breakfast. But he did had some eggs, which he used to make an omelet for her. She had sat down at the kitchen table, as he made her breakfast. A few minutes later, he placed a plate with egg and toast in front of her. He hadn’t made himself anything, he had only made a coffee for the both of them. She began to eat at once and thanked him.
'No, it's alright' he said. 'But I rarely make breakfast for anyone. Even for myself'
I'm even glad I have something in house -
‘Aren't you going to eat anything?’ she asked
He shook his head. ‘I’m not hungry’
‘I actually never eat breakfast before I go to school’ she admitted, and he shook his head as he smiled. ‘I know!’ she said. ‘It’s bad, but I really can’t eat in the morning-… normally’
Chris chuckled and watched her eat, before he spoke again:
'Listen' he said. 'Have you ever - thought about calling Child services?'
She finished chewing before she answered him: ‘He was never that bad before - He only yelled - I could live with yelling, and he was easy to avoid since he's at work most of the time I'm home - but last night - he's never hit me before’
He rolled his eyes a bit.
'There are more kinds of abuse than physical abuse' he said as he looked back at her. 'Mental abuse can often hurt more than physically'
It's true - I could know -
'Ever thought about that?' he asked her as he tilted his head a bit.
She crossed her arms but spoke: ‘Yes - . I know it can be - Some of the insults - when he blames me for my mother's death - . they hurt worse than that smack acJonas the face did last night - I just - If I did something like that - I worry that they would split me and Corrie up - my brother is all I've really had since my mother died - I couldn't take living without him.’
He understood her. Without Paul, Chris wouldn’t know either what would become of him. He eyed her for a moment, noticing she found it hard to talk about it. He knew she was right somewhere. She just didn't want to lose her brother.
'I understand Noreen' he said. 'But I'm sure your brother wouldn't want you to be unhappy. And don’t tell me your brother finds it pleasant either what your father is doing to you?'
She sighed.
'But I would be so unhappy if I had to live apart from Corrie - He's the only real family I've got - my dad doesn't count anymore’ she added sadly as she stared at her plate which she had abandoned.
He placed his elbow on the table and let his head rest on his hand.
She doesn't like this -
'Maybe I should tell you this, Noreen' he said. 'I - I can explain why I never loved a person'
And about my youth - She might likes to know -
'You know I'm not from London' he spoke. 'I'm from Blackpool. I moved with Paul to London when he finished his study. The reason we moved was because of our parents. Our father was coach of the National Soccer team of Blackpool. And he was obsessed with sports, and religion’ he added. ‘Paul and I grew up with every sport that could be played in that time - But - I didn't like it - I liked reading more than getting my knees dirty'
He rolled his eyes for a moment.
'You - must also have noticed that Paul is - much more attractive than I am. He has always been, even when he was around your age. I still preferred reading more than doing any sport, so you can understand he was - more popular than I was that age - . with the girls I mean - And I felt - insulted - that no one had ever liked me on that age - just because I read - and didn't sport as much as Paul did. Now I was a lot older than Paul, but I just noticed that when he reached a certain age, that he - did a lot more things than I did his age - you know - going out - kissing girls - And I became..-' he rolled his eyes again 'Jealous. I thought it wasn't fair, that girls only went for looks than for - ' he grinned 'intelligence - '

He than went on: 'Our - father of course, didn't like I quit sporting that easily. And he didn't like I had changed my activity in sitting inside, reading a good book which was filled with unreligious information’
'Our mother, on the other hand, did like I was reading. She loved reading herself, so she gave me loads of books. But one day - . our father forbid her to give me any books - . He took all my books out of my room when Paul and I were on school camp, and he locked them all up in the cellar. Our father wanted me to start doing sports again, but I refused. Later Paul told me he didn't like to sport that much either, but he only did it to
keep our father satisfied. He had begun to love it - but he just wanted to decide for his own. So we told our mum we wanted to leave. Paul and I knew we could have a better chance if we would live together, and if we went to live in a - richer city than Blackpool. So we went there - My mother sold all my books, and an uncle died, who left me some money - and with that money - I bought our first apartment.’
He looked at Noreen for a long time before he spoke:
'We haven't seen our parents in eight years - . Paul went to live with his girlfriend after a few years, and I moved into this place. I was alone - so I did went out - and because I didn't believe in love anymore - ’
I wasn't afraid that I could lose something -
'Lots of alcohol - you can probably understand to what that leads - '
He than paused again
'I know how it is, Noreen - I know how it is to feel - deserted by your parents - At least I still had my mother - but I know how it feels - and I want you to do something about it before you will ruin yourself like I did'

While he had been speaking, she had watched him, and he could see the sympathy in her eyes. She than moved off her chair and sat down on his lap, her arms around his neck. He wrapped his arms around her waist as she spoke:
‘See - unlike you, the only way out of my situation would require being apart from my brother. I don't see a way out of my dad's house without being separated from my brother. I would be even worse off. I think - If I was out of my dad's house but without my brother.’
He shook his head. ‘There must be other ways’ he said. ‘Your father needs help. He can't be charged for anything. A parent may hit his child, as long as it's not occasionally. But he doesn't seem to be alright if he keeps blaming you for something you can't have possible have prevented. You couldn't have helped your mother - your father doesn't see that - ' He took Noreen's hand in both his, and he could see her eyes getting wet again.
'Something needs to happen, Noreen'
‘I know. But I don't know what to do - I can't live apart from Corrie - ’
Chris watched how she started to cry again
She needs help - She really does -
'You need to find help, Noreen' he said. 'I can't believe that your father is happy with how things are going at home'
He can't be -
'And I'm sure your brother would want that too. If you both make that clear to Child services, I’m sure they won’t separate you.’
She rubbed her eyes which had become very red.
‘We shall try to get this solved’ he said as he kissed her for head. ‘But I’m afraid I can’t help you with that. If any one finds out - about us - I should stay low’
She nodded again.
Suddenly, the front door bell rang, and Chris’ head shot into the direction of the hall.
What the -
‘Stay here’ he demanded her as he got up and walked to the hall. If it would be Paul, he would certainly see Noreen this time.
He closed the door that led to the sitting room behind him. It had worked for Paul, maybe it would as well for who ever was ringing the bell right now.
He didn’t mind he was in his pyjama’s. He didn’t care. He waited but opened the door. To his horror, he was looking at Mr. Williams. Noreen’s father.
Oh God -
‘Where is she?’ Mr. Williams demanded
‘Er…’ Chris tried, but he felt too struck
How does he know my address?
‘Who?’ he asked
‘You know perfectly well who I mean!’ Mr. Williams bellowed and pointed at Chris. ‘My daughter!’
‘I-I… I have no idea what you’re talking about’
‘Don’t play with me!’ Mr. Williams bellowed even harder and Chris gave a faint start. He felt he was sweating already.
'I'm not - playing with you - sir' he said on a nervous tone. 'I don't know where she is - '
Oh God - How can he know?
Mr. Williams pushed Chris back, so Chris stepped back, out of reach of the man.
Don't come in -
'Where is she?!' he bellowed. He now stood inside 'Where is my daughter!'
'I don't know!' Chris now shouted back. 'I haven't seen her!'
He could see Mr. Williams was getting angrier every second.
'I know you're lying!' he bellowed.
'Well than you are wrong, because I haven't se-' but he was caught by his shirt and pushed against the wall.
'Don't you call me a liar' he hissed. 'Why did you come to my house yesterday? To give Noreen her homework, eh? Well I don't believe a word of it!'
Chris wanted to speak, but Mr. Williams was still talking: 'You are just a lousy teacher. I pay you to teach my daughter, not to - '
'To what?' Chris now said, angrier. 'To what, Mr. Williams?'
‘Dad?’
Both Chris’ and Mr. Williams’ faces shot into to the direction of the sitting room door. Noreen stood there, looking at her father, her face wet of tears
Chris felt shocked when he heard her voice. She was still not wearing much clothes. It must be an odd sight for Mr. Williams!
Oh God -
Mr. Williams had looked sideways as well and stared struck at Noreen.
'W - what are you doing here?' he asked her. But before Noreen could answer, Mr. Williams looked back at Chris 'What have you done to her!' he said as he pressed Chris harder against the wall.
'I did nothing!' Chris said and pushed Mr. Williams of him, so the man stumbled back 'It's YOU who should consider what you are doing to her!'
'Don't tell me how to raise my own children!' Mr. Williams shouted.
'Get out!' Chris shouted and pushed Mr. Williams again, who fell against the desk that stood in the hall. 'Leave!'
'You have no right to do that with my daughter!' Mr. Williams shouted. 'She can't come here - . you know that!'
'I know that it's time for you to leave!' Chris shouted and he walked in to Mr. Williams.
But before Chris could throw him out, Mr. Williams had grabbed the lamp that stood on the desk and had smashed it against Chris' head. He fell on the ground, clutching his head as he glasses fell of his face.
‘Dad!’ Noreen shouted on the top of her voice. He didn't see anything, as he had his eyes tightly closed, but he could hear Mr. Williams speak Noreen.
'You are in big trouble, young lady!' he bellowed. Chris heard how he did a few steps back towards the door 'You haven't heard the last of me!' he shouted. There was a slam and the door seemed to be closed.
At once, he felt how Noreen dropped herself on the ground and threw her arms around his neck, crying harder than she had done before.
‘I’m sorry!’ she cried. ‘I’m so sorry!’
‘Hush, hush’ he said as he pushed her of him and got up, still clutching the side of his head as he made his way to the bathroom. He could feel he was bleeding. In the bathroom, he looked at his reflection in the mirror. There was a wound on his temple, so He took a towel and pressed it against his head, trying to stop the bleeding.
In the reflection, he saw how she came in as well, holding his glasses in one hand, and the other one rubbing her eyes again, looking horrified at him.
‘We’re in big trouble’ he said, more to himself than to her as he looked at his own reflection. He than saw here, and turned around.
‘Are you alright?’ he asked her. She rushed towards him and wrapped her arms around his waist, holding him tightly. He wrapped his free arm around her, so he could hold her.
‘I’m so sorry’ she cried again. ‘I-I don’t know how he knew I was h-here’
‘I don’t know either’ He said, lowering the towel and took his glasses back, not putting them on but placing them on the sink.
‘I-I don’t k-know what t-to do’ she now cried. ‘I w-want to be h-happy’
And I want you to be happy -
He dropped the towel, and felt how weak she was right now. He was sure, that if he would release her, she would let herself drop on the floor.
So he lifted her up and carried her to the bedroom, where he placed her on the bed. She curled up and continued to cry. He watched her, and felt his heart ache by the sadness he saw lying on the bed.
Oh God - How can someone do this?
She than looked up at him.
‘Please, d-don’t leave me’ she cried and he sat down on the bed at once.
‘Try to sleep’ he said. ‘We didn’t had much sleep last night, especially you’
She nodded and as she held his arm, she spoke: ‘Please be here’
He understood, and got into the bed as well. He lay on his back, and she crawled against him, resting her head against his chest, her eyes tightly closed. She cried for hours, and Chris only kept silent. After those hours, she finally fell asleep, and so did he.