Marc’s Point of View
As I help unpack the truck full of our belongings I can’t help that my mind drifts to four year ago, the night we got that phone call. The one that changed our lives forever, my father was dead.
I know that four years is a lot of time, but the death of a father isn’t something you get over; it’s just something you learn to live with. I know that my mom was madly in love with my dad, I know Emily will never be as happy as she once was, I know Julie will never know dad, but I also know that we can’t forget that we have each other.
It may have been close to six moths since we had all seen or heard from my dad and my dad and I may have been in a fight when he left, but I still believe that he knew we all loved him and missed him.
My dad was an FBI agent and he was one of the best. They had called him at 12:36 AM on January 1st, 2005. I remember the time and date so clearly because my mother had told us she was pregnant with Julie when the clock stuck midnight. She said she wanted to start the New Year off with a bang. We had all been so happy, celebrating the New Year, the new member of our family. Then they called, they asked him to leave immediately on a secret mission known of us were aloud to know about. He told us he wouldn’t be able to contact us and that he wouldn’t be gone longer than 3 months.
I had been so mad at him, here he was, about to have a third child and he was running off to do his job instead of take care of his family. We yelled and hollered, he just continued to say it was only three months, he would be back way before the baby was due. I stormed out of the house and went to a friend’s house.
Three months went by and we got a call from the director of the FBI telling us that he had to stay indefinitely; they didn’t know when he would be able to come home. Three more months went by and we got another call from the director, but this time it was worse.
We got the call at 5:24 AM on June 9th, 2005, my father was dead. Never coming home, never meeting his second daughter, never see us grow up. At 6:37 PM on August 30th, 2005, after seventeen hours of labor, Julie was born into the world with no father, a mother who couldn’t function, and two siblings that had no idea what they were doing.
Like I said before I know four years is a long time to mourn the death of someone, but when that someone is your father, or your mother, or just someone who are close to, it hurts, and it’s not something you get over.
“Marc. Marc. MARC!” Emily shouted from inside the truck, waving her hand in front of my face.
“What?” I asked looking at her.
“Are you ok? You’ve been walking around like a zombie for the last hour and ahalf.” Emily asked getting worried.
“Yeah, I’ve just been thinking.” I replied climbing up into the truck to grab another box.
“What are you thinking about?" Emily continued to interrogate.
“Nothing important, I promise.” I said looking at the box I was about to pick up labeled Kevin’s office. “Is mom planning on making a room for dad?” I asked Emily still staring at the box.
“I don’t think so, why would she?” Emily responded.
“This box is labeled Kevin’s office.” I told her.
“Oh,” Emily said stunned, “Maybe she’s just not ready to let him go.” Emily picked up a box and left to go inside with it.
“Hey, Marc, why don’t you help Mr. Berkley carry some of the furniture into the house?” My mom asked as she picked up the box in front of me and walked inside.
“Sure, why not?” I answered quietly to myself.
“Oh, call me James.” Mr. Berkley said smiling flirtatiously at my mother as they passed each other.
Behind Mr. Berkley I saw Mrs. Berkley walking out of the house and someone walking down the street. I ignored them all and walked over to the couch ready to get it in inside.
Mr. and Mrs. Berkley climbed into the truck Emily not far behind them; Mr. Berkley walked to the other side of the truck and Mrs. Berkley grabbed a box and turned to leave the truck again.
“Kylie, sweetie, come meet the new neighbors!” I heard Mrs. Berkley shout from the truck, before putting the box down and jumping out from the back of the truck.
Mr. Berkley and I continued to unload the couch from the truck, once we got to the end of the truck we put the couch down and I jumped out of the truck, pulling the couch out until Mr. Berkley had to jump out as well.
Just as we were both situated on the ground with the couch in our arms I heard my mother shout, ““Julie! Come back here right now!”
I heard a commotion going on behind me but continued to walk backwards until I caught a glimpse of my little sister running towards me and heard Emily yell, “Marc! Watch out!”
I put my side of the couch down quickly and turned just as Julie jumped up into my arms catching her in the niche of time.
“Whoa, what’s up Julie?” I asked looking at her as she fidgeted in my arms.
“Mommy said I can’t help and that I have to stay inside, so she can help, but I don’t wanna. I wanna be a big girl and help.” Julie explained to me in one breath.
“But, Julie, don’t you want to go explore the new house? I bet there’s a secret passageway in there that’s just waiting to be found.” I reasoned putting Julie back down on the ground.
“Really?” She asked looking up at me.
“Yep.” I told her.
“Ok.” Julie said running off back into the house.
“Thank you, Marc. I just didn’t know what to say to get her to stay in the house.” My mother said walking towards all of us.
“It’s fine.” I said turning back to the couch ready to get this over with.
“Wait, Marc I want you to meet someone.” Mrs. Berkley said putting her arm around a girls shoulders and pulling her forward towards all of us. “This is Kylie. Kylie this is Marc, and his twin sister Emily, and their mother Kathryn Carter. Oh and that little girl was Julie.” Mrs. Berkley said smiling brightly.
I hadn’t noticed the girl until just now; she had this long curly blonde hair, and these amazing dark grey eyes. She was beautiful.
“Hi.” Kylie said quietly.
“Hi, it’s nice to meet you.” My mom said stepping forward, smiling warmly, and shaking her hand while she just stood there and nodded.
“Why don’t you come unload boxes and help around here?” Janet said turning to look at Kylie while the rest of us watched.
“I’m going to go shower and get some food first, then I’ll come help.” Kylie said softly.
“Why, you’re just going to get all sweaty and then have to shower before dinner again?” Janet asked.
“Please, just let… can I go get a shower? I… I need a break.” Kylie said, trying to calm herself down. I looked to my mother who looked worried.
“Why?” James said stepping around the couch.
“Please.” Kylie said, her voice shaking a little.
“Its fine, we should probably stop now anyway, it’s almost 6:30 and we should go get dinner.” My mom said still standing behind Mrs. Berkley and in front of Kylie.
“Ok, why don’t you go get ready for dinner than, we’ll leave for Roberta’s as soon as you’re ready.” Mrs. Berkley said looking at Kylie with a little concern in her eyes.
“Thanks you.” Kylie said softly before turning around and walking to the house across the street.
I turned back to the couch and waited for Mr. Berkley to do the same.
Once we got the couch in the living room where my mother wanted it I went upstairs and washed my face quickly before we had to leave for dinner.
“Marc! Can you look and see if Julie is upstairs somewhere before you come down? We’ll be outside waiting for you guys.” I heard Emily call from downstairs.
“Sure!” I called down to her. “Julie!” I shouted from the top of the stairs.
“Yes” I heard a soft shout come from one of the rooms at the end of the hallway.
“Can you come here? Mom wants us to go outside.” I said loud enough for Julie to hear me.
“Ok.” Julie said as she ran out of her room and down the hall, stopping once she reached me.
I picked Julie up and made my way down the stairs and outside where I saw everyone talking on the driveway of the house across the street.
I walked over to everyone before I put Julie down on the ground just as I heard the front door of the house close and Mrs. Berkley say, “Oh, Kylie, you ready to go?”
“Yeah.” Kylie said walking towards us.
“Ok then, let’s get this show on the road.” Mr. Berkley said ushering all of us over to the van that was sitting in the driveway.
“Kylie, where are you going? We all fit in the van.” Mrs. Berkley said looking over her shoulder and seeing Kylie walk towards and Impala, an old Impala.
“I… um… I was planning on driving myself.” Kylie said walking forward. “I wanted to make a stop.”
“Where and why?” Mr. Berkley asked overhearing them talk, forgetting to unlock the doors of the van.
“Because I wanted to go by the graveyard.” Kylie whispered so quietly I almost didn’t hear her. I knew I shouldn’t have been eavesdropping, but I couldn’t stop myself.
“What?” Mrs. Berkley asked loudly.
“I want to go by the graveyard.” Kylie repeated a little louder now looking down at the ground.
“No, I heard you, but why?” Mrs. Berkley asked.
I saw Kylie take a deep breath and glance at all of us before she said anything. “Because… it’s been twelve years today since the death of my grandfather and I want to go to the graveyard.” Kylie told Mrs. Berkley just as a tear slid down her cheek.
“Oh, God, I completely forgot that was today.” Mrs. Berkley said.
“Well I don’t see why that can’t wait till tomorrow.” Mr. Berkley said sternly.
“James.” Mrs. Berkley said a little appalled by what he said,
“What? Tomorrow is Saturday, you’ll have all day to go to the cemetery and see your grandfather. We are going to go to dinner as a family with our new neighbors.” Mr. Berkley said. “Now if you would like to drive that is fine, but I expect to see that car behind or in front of the van at all times.” He said pointing to the car Kylie had been walking towards. “Do you understand?” Mr. Berkley demanded.
“Yes.” Kylie said turning and walking to the Impala.
“Oh, James, do you think that was really necessary?” Mrs. Berkley asked.
“Janet, don’t start with me.” Mr. Berkley said angrily before turning and realizing he forgot to unlock the doors the van.
“Oh, why don’t you two go ride with Kylie, keep her company?” Mrs. Berkley asked looking at Emily and me.
“Sure.” Emily said grabbing my arm and pulling me towards the car parked on the street that Kylie had just got into.
I knocked on the window of the car and waited for the door to unlock, when I heard it unlock I opened the passenger side door and peaked my head in.
“Hey, um, Mrs. Berkley asked if we would ride with you. Is that ok?” I asked.
“Oh, yeah, sure.” Kylie said whipping at the tears quietly falling down her cheeks.
I unlocked the back door so Emily could get in before I got in the car and buckled my seat belt.
“What year?” I asked after about five minutes of silence.
“What?” Kylie asked keeping her eyes on the road.
“The car, what year is it?” I asked again.
“Oh, ’67.”
“Wow, how did you get a hold of this thing?” Emily asked from the backseat.
“It was my mom’s.” Kylie said.
“Why would Mrs. Berkley want to give this up? It is one really nice car. It’s like, the best year for an Impala.” Emily rambled on in the backseat.
“Janet’s my foster mom.” Kylie said turning into a parking lot of Roberta’s
“Oh, wow, sorry I… I didn’t know.” Emily said quietly.
“It’s fine. It’s old news.” Kylie said turning off the car. “Before you close the door can you make sure you lock them?” Kylie said as she got out of the car, locking the door before she closed it.
“Yeah, but that’s not something you get over.” Emily said as she got out of the car and caught up with Kylie. “I mean, I can kind of relate to you. My dad died four years ago. It’s something I know I’ll never get over.”
Kylie stopped walking and turned to look at both Emily and I. “Look, I don’t want to be mean, I really don’t, and I know you’re only trying to be nice, but I don’t know if my parents are dead. I mean I kind of assume they are but I don’t know for a fact if they’re dead or if they’re alive. So I don’t think you can relate to me.” Kylie said before she started to walk again, bringing her hands up to her face.
“I didn’t mean to upset her.” Emily said quietly as she started walking as well.
“I’m sure she knows that.” I said as we walked in the doors to Roberta’s.
“Oh, Kylie! What are you doing here?” A woman said coming from behind the counter a giving Kylie a hug.
“Oh you know, what everyone else is doing here, you know, eating?” Kylie said in a monotone voice.
“Oh, silly me, of course you’ve come to eat, how many people?” The woman asked.
“Seven.” Kylie said.
“Ok, right this way.” The woman said showing us to a table. “I’ll be right back to take your orders.”
“Thanks Roberta.” Kylie said as the woman walked away.
“You come here a lot?” I asked as I looked at one of the menu’s that was already on the table.
“Ever since I was born,” Kylie said, “Roberts was the last person to see my parents before they went missing.” Kylie told us.
“How old were you?” I asked.
“Six, I don’t remember them very much, but you know, it’s your parents. You never forget that feeling like your missing something.” Kylie said looking me straight in the eye.
“Yeah, I know that feeling.” I told her.
As I help unpack the truck full of our belongings I can’t help that my mind drifts to four year ago, the night we got that phone call. The one that changed our lives forever, my father was dead.
I know that four years is a lot of time, but the death of a father isn’t something you get over; it’s just something you learn to live with. I know that my mom was madly in love with my dad, I know Emily will never be as happy as she once was, I know Julie will never know dad, but I also know that we can’t forget that we have each other.
It may have been close to six moths since we had all seen or heard from my dad and my dad and I may have been in a fight when he left, but I still believe that he knew we all loved him and missed him.
My dad was an FBI agent and he was one of the best. They had called him at 12:36 AM on January 1st, 2005. I remember the time and date so clearly because my mother had told us she was pregnant with Julie when the clock stuck midnight. She said she wanted to start the New Year off with a bang. We had all been so happy, celebrating the New Year, the new member of our family. Then they called, they asked him to leave immediately on a secret mission known of us were aloud to know about. He told us he wouldn’t be able to contact us and that he wouldn’t be gone longer than 3 months.
I had been so mad at him, here he was, about to have a third child and he was running off to do his job instead of take care of his family. We yelled and hollered, he just continued to say it was only three months, he would be back way before the baby was due. I stormed out of the house and went to a friend’s house.
Three months went by and we got a call from the director of the FBI telling us that he had to stay indefinitely; they didn’t know when he would be able to come home. Three more months went by and we got another call from the director, but this time it was worse.
We got the call at 5:24 AM on June 9th, 2005, my father was dead. Never coming home, never meeting his second daughter, never see us grow up. At 6:37 PM on August 30th, 2005, after seventeen hours of labor, Julie was born into the world with no father, a mother who couldn’t function, and two siblings that had no idea what they were doing.
Like I said before I know four years is a long time to mourn the death of someone, but when that someone is your father, or your mother, or just someone who are close to, it hurts, and it’s not something you get over.
“Marc. Marc. MARC!” Emily shouted from inside the truck, waving her hand in front of my face.
“What?” I asked looking at her.
“Are you ok? You’ve been walking around like a zombie for the last hour and ahalf.” Emily asked getting worried.
“Yeah, I’ve just been thinking.” I replied climbing up into the truck to grab another box.
“What are you thinking about?" Emily continued to interrogate.
“Nothing important, I promise.” I said looking at the box I was about to pick up labeled Kevin’s office. “Is mom planning on making a room for dad?” I asked Emily still staring at the box.
“I don’t think so, why would she?” Emily responded.
“This box is labeled Kevin’s office.” I told her.
“Oh,” Emily said stunned, “Maybe she’s just not ready to let him go.” Emily picked up a box and left to go inside with it.
“Hey, Marc, why don’t you help Mr. Berkley carry some of the furniture into the house?” My mom asked as she picked up the box in front of me and walked inside.
“Sure, why not?” I answered quietly to myself.
“Oh, call me James.” Mr. Berkley said smiling flirtatiously at my mother as they passed each other.
Behind Mr. Berkley I saw Mrs. Berkley walking out of the house and someone walking down the street. I ignored them all and walked over to the couch ready to get it in inside.
Mr. and Mrs. Berkley climbed into the truck Emily not far behind them; Mr. Berkley walked to the other side of the truck and Mrs. Berkley grabbed a box and turned to leave the truck again.
“Kylie, sweetie, come meet the new neighbors!” I heard Mrs. Berkley shout from the truck, before putting the box down and jumping out from the back of the truck.
Mr. Berkley and I continued to unload the couch from the truck, once we got to the end of the truck we put the couch down and I jumped out of the truck, pulling the couch out until Mr. Berkley had to jump out as well.
Just as we were both situated on the ground with the couch in our arms I heard my mother shout, ““Julie! Come back here right now!”
I heard a commotion going on behind me but continued to walk backwards until I caught a glimpse of my little sister running towards me and heard Emily yell, “Marc! Watch out!”
I put my side of the couch down quickly and turned just as Julie jumped up into my arms catching her in the niche of time.
“Whoa, what’s up Julie?” I asked looking at her as she fidgeted in my arms.
“Mommy said I can’t help and that I have to stay inside, so she can help, but I don’t wanna. I wanna be a big girl and help.” Julie explained to me in one breath.
“But, Julie, don’t you want to go explore the new house? I bet there’s a secret passageway in there that’s just waiting to be found.” I reasoned putting Julie back down on the ground.
“Really?” She asked looking up at me.
“Yep.” I told her.
“Ok.” Julie said running off back into the house.
“Thank you, Marc. I just didn’t know what to say to get her to stay in the house.” My mother said walking towards all of us.
“It’s fine.” I said turning back to the couch ready to get this over with.
“Wait, Marc I want you to meet someone.” Mrs. Berkley said putting her arm around a girls shoulders and pulling her forward towards all of us. “This is Kylie. Kylie this is Marc, and his twin sister Emily, and their mother Kathryn Carter. Oh and that little girl was Julie.” Mrs. Berkley said smiling brightly.
I hadn’t noticed the girl until just now; she had this long curly blonde hair, and these amazing dark grey eyes. She was beautiful.
“Hi.” Kylie said quietly.
“Hi, it’s nice to meet you.” My mom said stepping forward, smiling warmly, and shaking her hand while she just stood there and nodded.
“Why don’t you come unload boxes and help around here?” Janet said turning to look at Kylie while the rest of us watched.
“I’m going to go shower and get some food first, then I’ll come help.” Kylie said softly.
“Why, you’re just going to get all sweaty and then have to shower before dinner again?” Janet asked.
“Please, just let… can I go get a shower? I… I need a break.” Kylie said, trying to calm herself down. I looked to my mother who looked worried.
“Why?” James said stepping around the couch.
“Please.” Kylie said, her voice shaking a little.
“Its fine, we should probably stop now anyway, it’s almost 6:30 and we should go get dinner.” My mom said still standing behind Mrs. Berkley and in front of Kylie.
“Ok, why don’t you go get ready for dinner than, we’ll leave for Roberta’s as soon as you’re ready.” Mrs. Berkley said looking at Kylie with a little concern in her eyes.
“Thanks you.” Kylie said softly before turning around and walking to the house across the street.
I turned back to the couch and waited for Mr. Berkley to do the same.
Once we got the couch in the living room where my mother wanted it I went upstairs and washed my face quickly before we had to leave for dinner.
“Marc! Can you look and see if Julie is upstairs somewhere before you come down? We’ll be outside waiting for you guys.” I heard Emily call from downstairs.
“Sure!” I called down to her. “Julie!” I shouted from the top of the stairs.
“Yes” I heard a soft shout come from one of the rooms at the end of the hallway.
“Can you come here? Mom wants us to go outside.” I said loud enough for Julie to hear me.
“Ok.” Julie said as she ran out of her room and down the hall, stopping once she reached me.
I picked Julie up and made my way down the stairs and outside where I saw everyone talking on the driveway of the house across the street.
I walked over to everyone before I put Julie down on the ground just as I heard the front door of the house close and Mrs. Berkley say, “Oh, Kylie, you ready to go?”
“Yeah.” Kylie said walking towards us.
“Ok then, let’s get this show on the road.” Mr. Berkley said ushering all of us over to the van that was sitting in the driveway.
“Kylie, where are you going? We all fit in the van.” Mrs. Berkley said looking over her shoulder and seeing Kylie walk towards and Impala, an old Impala.
“I… um… I was planning on driving myself.” Kylie said walking forward. “I wanted to make a stop.”
“Where and why?” Mr. Berkley asked overhearing them talk, forgetting to unlock the doors of the van.
“Because I wanted to go by the graveyard.” Kylie whispered so quietly I almost didn’t hear her. I knew I shouldn’t have been eavesdropping, but I couldn’t stop myself.
“What?” Mrs. Berkley asked loudly.
“I want to go by the graveyard.” Kylie repeated a little louder now looking down at the ground.
“No, I heard you, but why?” Mrs. Berkley asked.
I saw Kylie take a deep breath and glance at all of us before she said anything. “Because… it’s been twelve years today since the death of my grandfather and I want to go to the graveyard.” Kylie told Mrs. Berkley just as a tear slid down her cheek.
“Oh, God, I completely forgot that was today.” Mrs. Berkley said.
“Well I don’t see why that can’t wait till tomorrow.” Mr. Berkley said sternly.
“James.” Mrs. Berkley said a little appalled by what he said,
“What? Tomorrow is Saturday, you’ll have all day to go to the cemetery and see your grandfather. We are going to go to dinner as a family with our new neighbors.” Mr. Berkley said. “Now if you would like to drive that is fine, but I expect to see that car behind or in front of the van at all times.” He said pointing to the car Kylie had been walking towards. “Do you understand?” Mr. Berkley demanded.
“Yes.” Kylie said turning and walking to the Impala.
“Oh, James, do you think that was really necessary?” Mrs. Berkley asked.
“Janet, don’t start with me.” Mr. Berkley said angrily before turning and realizing he forgot to unlock the doors the van.
“Oh, why don’t you two go ride with Kylie, keep her company?” Mrs. Berkley asked looking at Emily and me.
“Sure.” Emily said grabbing my arm and pulling me towards the car parked on the street that Kylie had just got into.
I knocked on the window of the car and waited for the door to unlock, when I heard it unlock I opened the passenger side door and peaked my head in.
“Hey, um, Mrs. Berkley asked if we would ride with you. Is that ok?” I asked.
“Oh, yeah, sure.” Kylie said whipping at the tears quietly falling down her cheeks.
I unlocked the back door so Emily could get in before I got in the car and buckled my seat belt.
“What year?” I asked after about five minutes of silence.
“What?” Kylie asked keeping her eyes on the road.
“The car, what year is it?” I asked again.
“Oh, ’67.”
“Wow, how did you get a hold of this thing?” Emily asked from the backseat.
“It was my mom’s.” Kylie said.
“Why would Mrs. Berkley want to give this up? It is one really nice car. It’s like, the best year for an Impala.” Emily rambled on in the backseat.
“Janet’s my foster mom.” Kylie said turning into a parking lot of Roberta’s
“Oh, wow, sorry I… I didn’t know.” Emily said quietly.
“It’s fine. It’s old news.” Kylie said turning off the car. “Before you close the door can you make sure you lock them?” Kylie said as she got out of the car, locking the door before she closed it.
“Yeah, but that’s not something you get over.” Emily said as she got out of the car and caught up with Kylie. “I mean, I can kind of relate to you. My dad died four years ago. It’s something I know I’ll never get over.”
Kylie stopped walking and turned to look at both Emily and I. “Look, I don’t want to be mean, I really don’t, and I know you’re only trying to be nice, but I don’t know if my parents are dead. I mean I kind of assume they are but I don’t know for a fact if they’re dead or if they’re alive. So I don’t think you can relate to me.” Kylie said before she started to walk again, bringing her hands up to her face.
“I didn’t mean to upset her.” Emily said quietly as she started walking as well.
“I’m sure she knows that.” I said as we walked in the doors to Roberta’s.
“Oh, Kylie! What are you doing here?” A woman said coming from behind the counter a giving Kylie a hug.
“Oh you know, what everyone else is doing here, you know, eating?” Kylie said in a monotone voice.
“Oh, silly me, of course you’ve come to eat, how many people?” The woman asked.
“Seven.” Kylie said.
“Ok, right this way.” The woman said showing us to a table. “I’ll be right back to take your orders.”
“Thanks Roberta.” Kylie said as the woman walked away.
“You come here a lot?” I asked as I looked at one of the menu’s that was already on the table.
“Ever since I was born,” Kylie said, “Roberts was the last person to see my parents before they went missing.” Kylie told us.
“How old were you?” I asked.
“Six, I don’t remember them very much, but you know, it’s your parents. You never forget that feeling like your missing something.” Kylie said looking me straight in the eye.
“Yeah, I know that feeling.” I told her.