The Dilemma of Parker

Chapter18

Leon, Tanner and Jude had been home three months. None of them had heard from Parker at all. William and Richard had moved to Sydney and they didn't have a lot of contact with the Jones men. Jude checked with Will weekly about Parker, but it was always the same response, 'she doesn't want to speak to any of you'. That hurt Jude but he couldn't blame her at all. They had all treated her like she didn't matter and when they realised she did, it was to late. Jude just hoped Parker was happy.

Leon had stepped up caring for his mother but he was angry at Will. In Leon's eyes he had picked Parker over him. He stayed away from women realising his father had taught him they were only there for a man to get pleasure from, or to be used for power. His father had tried to come back home but none of the brothers would allow that.

Tamia was still not right and probably never would be. She was refusing to eat until Parker returned home. She also cried for her mother most days, even though she had passed several years ago. She would have lucid moments where she spoke to the boys about why she had stayed with her husband for so long. Her father had been a black fella and had beaten her and her brothers and her mother. None of the police would intervene until her mother was almost killed. It had been a white doctor who insisted on the charges being laid. He then cared for her mother and eventually that turned into a relationship leading to the pair being married and him adopting the kids. Her mother could never have any more children but that didn't stop him treating the children as his own. He became there legal father. Tamia saw having a white husband as beneficial so had got together with her husband.

Domestic violence never was about the colour of one's skin. Domestic violence can happen to anyone and Tamia had been a victim of domestic violence but never wanted to admit it. She was controlled by her husband and wanted to please him no matter what. She truely hated herself for the damage she had caused her only daughter. After the first time her husband hit her, her brothers ran him out of town and then he hadn't raised a hand to her again, but he did abuse her. She in turn abused her daughter and allowed him to as well. On days when she was able to recount the stories, the boys listened with Jude sitting silently sobbing for all his sister and mother had been put through. Those were the days he reached out to Will to check on his sister. Those were also the days when Tamia couldn't be left alone because she was suicidal wanting to end the pain she felt.

It was on one of those days that Leon had to attend a work call while he was caring for his mother. His two brothers were at the office but he had stayed home. Thinking his mother was asleep after giving her the medication she was suppose to take, he answered his work call and immersed himself into his work. Two hours passed before the call ended and he went to check on his mother. Leon found his mother hanging from the bathroom door.

Everything after that happened quickly, police and ambulances arrived while he called his brothers to get home immediately. After calling his brothers home, he reached out to his aunties and uncles. The ambulance officers had taken one look at the woman and pronounced her dead, Tamia had hung herself snapping her own neck.

Jude and Tanner came flying into the house just as they were placing the sheet over Tamia. "What the hell happened?" Tanner asked. "She hung herself. She was asleep, well she seemed to be asleep but when I checked on her again, I found her hanging. Oh god I let her down just like I let Parker down" Leon stated before finally breaking down.

Soon the front yard was filled with family while the police viewed the area as a crime scene. "We need to let Parker know" Jude stated. "Why? This is her fault" Tanner spat. "Boys don't you start this" Cheryl stated. She had come over to support the boys but she wouldn't allow them to blame Parker for this. "If she had of come home, this wouldn't of happened" Tanner yelled. "You pushed her away. You kept pushing her away as did that woman. Do not blame this on her. She is finally allowed to be her own person instead of your house maid" Cheryl spat before storming away.

Tanner was shocked that his Aunty had spoken like that. Jude looked like he wanted to punch Tanner and Leon looked like he wouldn't stop him if he did. "Tanner this isn't Parker's fault at all. We are to blame for Parker not being here" Leon whispered. In a way Leon was glad Parker left when she did because from what Tamia was saying, things were horrible for Parker at home and would of only been worse had she not left. He didn't realise how horrible his father actually was. "Mum was sick, she had been trying to do this for months" Leon added which caused Tanner to break down. He had now lost the two most important women in his life and he couldn't cope.

"I'll ring Will" Jude stated eventually. He knew Parker had a right to know that there mother had taken her own life. He would of preferred to go and tell her himself and then comfort his baby sister. But he knew that was not going to happen at all. He just hoped that she wasn't alone when she heard the news.

Parker, William and a Richard were out to dinner. This had become a weekly ritual for the family which all of them enjoyed. Parker had brought along Jaylan who was now her boyfriend.

Will's phone rang four times each time he ignored it because it was Jude until he got a text saying emergency. Will picked up on the fifth time the phone rang. "Will, I need you to go to Parker or give me her number" Jude stated. "Jude, Parker doesn't want to speak with any of you" Will replied annoyed. This alerted Parker to who was on the phone. "What's going on?" Parker asked. "That's her, you need to put her on the phone, it's important" Jude begged. "Jude she doesn't want to speak with you" William stated firmly. "Will, it's mum. She killed herself today" Jude stated which caused Will to snap his eyes to Parker. "I'll call you back" Will mumbled before hanging up.

"Will, you are scaring me. What's going on?" Parker asked. Jaylan had a hold of Parker's hand to offer her comfort. Richard had no idea what was going on but he was concerned about whatever was happening. "Parker, I am so sorry. It's your mum. She umm, she took her own life" William stated. Parker just stared at William not moving. She had a flitting moment of finally being free but then felt horrible and guilty for thinking that way.