Mario pulled into the driveway of Darryn’s house. They only lived a few blocks from each other, and they had both been able to get out of their impoverished community and go to the prestigious Ridgemont University by studying together and getting scholarships. Darryn often marveled at how strange it was that such a poor community as theirs could be only a short drive away from a place like Ridgemont University, with its immaculate, regal buildings and incredibly rich students. But he was glad that he could have an opportunity to study there, and to one day be able to get his father and brother out of their difficult circumstances, and look after them like his father had looked after Darryn and his brother their whole lives.
He rushed out of the car as it stopped, ran to the front door and opened it. The house was completely quiet. Their family dog, Colette, was sitting quietly on the couch, and just watched Darryn as he entered. He walked towards the bedroom that he shared with his brother, Billy. The curtains were drawn in the room, and only a sliver of light entered in the space between them. His father was sitting on the bed, looking at Billy as he sat on the floor. Billy was eleven-years-old, and he had his fingers clenched in his long, curly hair, as his face hung low. He was rocking slowly from side to side.
Darryn’s father, Angelo, looked at him with an expression of desperation. He got up from the bed and tapped Darryn on his shoulder as a signal to follow him outside. When they stepped out of the room, his father gave a sigh of exasperation. He was a heavyset man, with dark lines under his eyes and big, calloused hands from years of manual labor. His skin was darker than Darryn and Billy’s, and he was balding on top of his head. Darryn could see the exhaustion written all over his father’s face. “I’m glad you’re home, Darryn. He’s been like this for about an hour now. He was doing so well this morning, I thought it was only a minor episode. I tried taking him to school, but his teacher called me about half an hour later and said that he wasn’t doing well.”
Darryn’s sharp, dark eyes were stuck in a frown as his father spoke. “I came as soon as I could. I’m sorry I missed your calls. I saw that he wasn’t doing well this morning. I should have stayed.”
“No, you did nothing wrong. I hope I didn’t make you miss your race,” his father said.
“I just finished it when Mario told me you called, actually.” Darryn thought that it would be frivolous to talk about winning the race when Billy was not doing well.
His father spoke again in a strained whisper: “This is the second time this month already that he’s had such a bad day. The episodes seem to be getting more frequent. I thought that the new medication would help, but he doesn’t seem to be doing well at all.”
Darryn nodded solemnly, and walked past his father into the room where Billy sat in the corner. “Hey, Billy boy,” he whispered. “How are you doing, kid?”
Billy looked up, noticing Darryn’s presence for the first time. “I just felt bad again. I don’t know why I feel so bad sometimes. There were just so many people at school.”
“It’s not your fault, buddy. You don’t have to worry about a thing.” Darryn walked towards Billy and knelt down next to him, putting his hand on his brother’s. He gave a gentle smile. “How are you feeling right now?”
Billy remained quiet. Since he had been diagnosed with mood and developmental disorders, he had only regressed. Darryn was able to stabilize him most of the time, but his episodes had become worse in recent months.
“Guess what,” Darryn said, trying to force a wider smile. “I won the race this morning.”
Billy’s eyes lit up, and he gave a look of excitement. “You won? Can I see the medal?”
“I still have to pick it up. I didn’t have a chance to stick around for the prize giving ceremony. But when I get it, we can add it to the collection, okay.”
“That’s great, Darryn. I wish I could’ve watched you instead of going to school. I don’t like school.”
“I know, buddy, but the doctor thinks it’s good for you to be there.”
Billy was quiet again. He noticed his books in the bookcase. “I’m reading a great book right now. Do you want me to tell you about it?”
“Definitely,” Darryn smiled. They sat on the floor together, Billy seeming more peaceful as he spoke about the fantasy book that he was reading. Darryn was happy that he could be there for his brother. He was happy that they could finally afford to get his brother better care since he had received the swimming scholarship, and he was also giving most of the money that he earned at his extra job at a local fast-food place to his father. But he knew that it was not enough yet. If he made the national team, he could get a sponsorship deal that would really help them. He could afford to get Billy the best care that the country could offer.
After half an hour of sharing the details of his book with Darryn, Billy gave a big yawn and stretched his arms above his head. “I think I need a nap,” Billy said.
“You’ve had a lot of excitement. I think a nap will be good for you. I’ll put on your music.” Darryn went to the stereo in the corner of the bedroom and played the calming music that Billy enjoyed. The boy closed his eyes and said, “Good job on winning today. Next time I’m definitely coming to watch you, okay?”
“Absolutely. Rest well, kid.” Darryn walked out of the room and saw his father sitting on the couch in the living room, looking depleted.
Angelo took a sip of the glass of water he was holding, staring at the table in front of him. “It’s so hard seeing him like that. I just don’t know what to do. We can’t afford the nurse more than once a week. I have to be at work; I can’t stay home with him. What are we going to do?”
Darryn sat down next to his father. “I’m gonna do everything I can to help. Are the new meds not working? Should we see if we can find a better psychiatrist for him?”
“I think it’s the school. I don’t think he’s getting everything he needs at public school. They have too many children, and they’re under resourced. I’ve been looking into other options, but they’re so expensive. There is a school in town, a very good special school where he can get everything he needs. They have a team of good therapists on staff. But it’s private and expensive. I just don’t think he’ll be able to do well at public school. He’s getting worse.”
Darryn sat in thought, observing his father’s desperation. He knew that Angelo had been doing everything he could to help their family. He had given his all to make sure that Darryn could get into Ridgemont University, and he was working long hours to try and provide for Billy’s needs now. “I’ll do more to help. I know that the fast food job isn’t cutting it. I’ll try and find something else.”
“Darryn, you need to focus on your studies. It’s not your job to look after us. It’s my job, I’m the father here.”
“You did everything for me. You sacrificed so much. Let me do what I can to help now. I love Billy too, and I want him to have the best life he can have. We both have to do everything we can.”
Angelo turned to Darryn and hugged him them, sighing heavily. “You’ve always been a good son. The best son I could wish for. Your mother would have been so proud if she could see you now.” Angelo looked up suddenly with concern written on his face: “But what happened at the race? How did it go?”
“I won,” Darryn smiled. “Made it to the semi-finals. Now the hard work begins.”
“I’m so proud of you, son! I knew you’d make it.” His father’s eyes were suddenly alive again, and Darryn could see the pride emanating from them. “But shouldn’t you be celebrating with your team today? Don’t you usually have braais after racing days?”
“They’re at the club house right now, but I want to be here with the two of you. I should be here for Billy.”
“Nonsense!” his father protested. “We can’t steal you away from them for the whole day. Billy is okay now, and I’m okay. You’ve helped us a lot today. Go be with your friends.”
Darryn didn’t say that most of them were not really his friends. “There are scouts there today that Co
ach Tyson wants me to meet, so maybe if I can just go for an hour I can meet them and be back before dinner.”
“Stay as long as you like. You do so much for us, and when you’re not here you’re practising your swimming. When do you ever find time to have fun?”
“It’s fun for me to hang out with the two of you,” Darryn smiled. “Besides, there will be time for fun when I’ve made the national team and finished my studies.”
“You’re way too serious for an eighteen-year-old, Darryn. Go, be with people your own age, and be a bit irresponsible for a change.” His father punched him playfully on his shoulder. “And I don’t want to see you home before eight. Nothing serious for the rest of the day, okay? Celebrate your victory, swimming champion!”
Darryn laughed at his father’s silliness. “Okay, I’ll go for a bit. Just to get you off my back.” He sent Mario a message to ask for a lift to the braai, and walked over to his house. He knew that it was important to meet the scouts, and that he would have to work even harder to make sure that he could look after his family like they needed him to.
Chapter 3