I do not know how it happened. One day we were fine, the next everything was falling apart.
With mum's death, dad felling into drinking. I always remembered mum being sick ever since I could crawl. Cancer is what she got diagnosed with. A horrible disease. Of course, mum refused treatment. It was her strong belief that whatever happened in life happened for a reason. Served a purpose. I saw no purpose for her death, for her illness.
I do not know what I would have done if it were not for my three older brothers. Michael, the oldest, my protector. Damian, the middle, the serious one. Ralphael, my friend. Between Ralphael and me, there are seven years. I think it is because of that dad blames me for mum.
It was coming up to the eighth anniversary of mum's death. For the whole month, his drinking got worse and worse the closer the date came. I had just turned 18 and was still living with dad and Ralphael. Ralphael was there because I was. It was his turn this fortnight. A different brother would stay with me for two weeks before swapping over. All had their own lives. Houses, children, wives and fiancΓ©e.
This routine was wearing on all of us. I hated that my brothers were away from their lives. I hated having to grow up before I had to so someone was watching over dad. Even if it was from afar.
"Loo Loo? Loo Loo, where are you?" Ralphy called as he entered the house. I knew it was Ralphy due to it nearing 4 o'clock meaning dad would be arriving at our local bar.
"In the basement" I had been putting the washing on, when I heard the door open. As I entered the kitchen, I knew something was wrong.
"What's wrong Ralph? Dads not home." I do not remember ever seen any one of my brothers look this apprehensive.
"I know. It is I would feel better you not being here tonight. I am meeting some friends and do not want you here when dad returns." This made me worry. I had been alone with dad before but never a day before the anniversary date. This year was worse than any year so far.
Preparing myself for the last thing, I ever thought I would say. I gently replied. "Met with them. I will leave a note saying I went to a friends and will lock myself in my room." A few years ago dad got so violent that he broke my door. Michael, as a result, replaced a door with a stronger one and added several locks. "Ralphy go. I have you, Damian and Michael on speed dial."
Resolving to go, Ralph hugged me and placed a kiss on my forehead. "I am only going because I know you would force me to go."
An hour later Ralph left.
****
At 10 o'clock dad came through the door drunker then I have heard him. I was nearly asleep and heard him crash his way through the house until no noise remained and all was quiet again. It did not take me long to fall asleep.
****
It was last year that I came up with my plan to get my daughter pregnant. What my children did not know about their mother was how she refused treatment in the hope she would live long enough to deliver our fifth child. She never made it to fifth months.
I have been sober a year and my children never suspected a thing. Routine and knowing what I am like when I was drunk. I knew the boys have updated the house in a way that Louisa could be safe if they were not around. A year later and I am ready to act on my plan.
Locating my screwdriver, I went down the hall to my princess' room. Locks on a door are useless if you know anything about doors. It just so happens that is my job.
Disfiguring and removing the hinges, I slipped through the door. Louisa was asleep on her back making this task all the easier. Pulling of a prepared piece of duct tape, I placed it over her mouth.
****
Waking up because something unknown is over your mouth is scary. Waking up with something unknown over your mouth and your drunk dad looking down at you it ten time worse.
I tried to talk to him but it all came out as mumbles. While focused on my mouth, dad was securing my arms and legs to my bed.
"It'll be ok baby; everything is going to be ok. I know what I am doing." My dad said trying to calm me. "We, your brothers too, need to have a family chat. That can wait till morning, now that you cannot leave." After he simply turned and left.
****
I woke to yelling. I think it was Ralph and my dad, but could not be sure. As they came closer, I could hear everything they discussed.
"Why is Loo Loo like that? You are drunk still. I know today is hard but you need to stop drinking."
"Hard? You think it is hard for me. I lost your mother and could do nothing about it. Yes drinking was a poor choice on my part but I am sober a year. Here. Have a look at that. Call my sponsor"
I can only assume by the silence Ralph was seriously considering what dad had said.
"Dad, I am glad you are in AA, but why is Loo Loo tied to her bed?"
I closer they got to the door the more I heard.
"I was about to call you, Damian and Michael to come for a discussion. Your sister is tied because this is her decision and I did not want her to leave because I was home."
"Can I at least remove the duct tape and untie her now I am here? Please."
"Yes but allow me. I want to apologise."
As they stepped in I was reserved and curios as to what dad wanted to stay.
Dad came over to the side of my bed, knelt down and removed the tape.
"I am so sorry for scaring you, Angle. I thought if I told you I wanted to talk to you and your brothers you would listen. Can I remove the ropes and trust you to stay?" the sincerity is dads voice had me worried for a new reason.
"Yes I will stay and listen and I do forgive you."
With the ropes removed, I went and had a shower.
****
Two hours later bother Michael and Damian had arrived. Seated in the living room, looking at dad who was looking down. We waited for him to speak.
"Since your mother died I have been the worst father I could have been. What I am going to ask today will make those years look like nothing. Last year I started going to AA. I have been sober ever since then. Today marking one year. It was not until I went to AA, I realised why I was drinking. Your mother and I did not tell you everything about her illness. Yes, she refused treatment but not because of her belief. It was because she," dad stopped took a moment and continued. "It was because she was pregnant."
Before anyone could recover from the shock, dad continued.
"We were so happy when we learnt of her pregnancy but four months prior she had been diagnosed. It was either lose the baby or lose her. In the end I, we lost both. I tried to convince her that she should focus on getting better and we could have another child later, but she was so adamant that she keep the child. Every time I talked about it, her reply was 'it is my body; I will do what I want.' We always wanted a big family. Five children a least. We never anticipated we would struggle to conceive. That is why there is four years between Michael and Damian, six with Damian and Ralphael, seven with Ralphael and Louisa and ten with Louisa and Jerimiah."
Dad paused again. A tear escaped as he said Jerimiah. It was easy to tell that was the first time he had spoken his name.
"We first conceived young. She was fourteen, I eighteen. But we were together 35 years."
No one spoke for a long time. When someone did, it was Michael.
"Dad why not tell us?"
"I promised your mother. The last few days she had me promise her numerous times that I would not tell you about Jerimiah. I do not understand why she wanted it that way, but that is what I did."
This time I spoke up.
"Dad, what did you want to ask of me?"
"I am only 53. I can still give your mother the family she wanted. Do not get me wrong, she loved you all so much. I love you all so much. However, we loved the idea of siting around a table with five plus children and then the grandchildren. She would be so proud of you. All of you."
Dad paused again
"Dad, please stop procrastinating and tell us what you want Loo Loo to do." Damian spoke up for the first time.
"I want. Hum. I want you to have my child."
"But I am your daughter!" I exclaimed
"Yes you are. I would try, have tried to move on with another but I cannot. I love your mother so much. That will never stop. Louisa, my love, you are part of your mother. Half of you made comes from her. Some days you act how your mother would; you say what she would say, it is as if she is here again. Please think about it. I know what I am asking you and how it sounds." With that dad got up and left the room. Leaving behind four shocked children.
"Oh God. I did not see that coming. Am I still here? I feel like I am floating" I slowly spoke, still in shock.
"Yes, you're still here. What are we going to do? Asked Damian
"I do not know. I do not think we can make this decision today." Michael started before Ralphael chimed in.