Frustration

Maria headed for the beach. There had been a lot to process recently. She’d only finished university a few years ago and was still finding her way around the business after spending some time travelling.

Mario had insisted she learn the ropes before whatever she did next. When he told her and her brothers he was terminal she understood why. Leroy couldn’t manage on his own and Andre was not reliable but he was interested in the charity so that might anchor him a bit although it was her parents thing really. Now there was Lucy.

Her body felt like it had been given a good pummelling but she had stepped up and cared for Mario. Leroy and Andre had leaned on her and expected her to do it all till she lost it with them. In the past few weeks they had upped their game.

The siblings were working it out and having their mother around the past few days had been helpful. The shock of having an aunty and a sister/cousin had reduced them all to silence. The pressure of being the first to break it and discuss it between themselves seemed to rest with her.

Speaking to Lucy had been surprisingly easy. There were conversations that needed to be had. Andre had spoken to their father a little and her own daily conversations with Mario had answered most of her questions. Leroy was the only one avoiding him, his hero diminished in his sight.

The four of them needed to be a team to deal with whatever the future held. They had to work out what that looked like before the chance to consult their father was taken from them.

Maria climbed the rocks beside the lighthouse and screamed until she felt the breath almost leave her body.

Far off waves made for the shore, she liked the rhythm of them, the reliability, the variance in strength. They were kindred spirits. She wished on them that they would bring her what she needed to get through this and come out the other side.

Leroy had to face this. She would lock them in a room if she had to. Then maybe all four siblings could talk.