The Long Way Home by Phillip Overton

  ****

  Doug was in his office busily going through some files for Richard when his receptionist Jill’s voice crackled softly over the intercom.

  “Sorry to interrupt you Mr Small but I have your brother on line two. Would you like to take the call or shall I take a message?”

  “No put him through, I’ll take it thanks.” He absently replied as he found the last of the files Richard had asked him to finalise.

  Doug was waiting for word from Richard on the next new house and land release Coast Homes were planning on developing. After all, the company his boss had launched five years ago had gone from strength to strength and had provided Coastal Realty with over 40 percent of all sales for the last financial year. Given that the number of new listings the real estate office had handled had dropped significantly over the past few months, Doug was eagerly anticipating news of Richard’s next planned development. Instead, his boss had asked him to take care of the last lots remaining in the final stage of the Narara land release. With no signs of any future house and land releases on the horizon, Doug was growing more worried by the day. Next month’s projected figures weren’t looking good.

  “Hello its Doug.” He picked up the phone as soon as it rang. “What’s up Barry?”

  “Doug.” The paused seemed unusually long, the sound of his name resonated hollow and empty in his ear and he sensed the next few words his brother was about to say would carry a weight far greater than he was ready to be burdened with. “Dad’s dead.”

  Doug held the phone pressed hard against his ear, the silence echoed through him while the world seemed to stop, waiting to hear what meaningless words he could possibly think of to say in reply.

  “Where are you?”

  “I’m at the hospital. There was nothing they could do. By the time the ambulance arrived he was long gone.” Barry’s voice sounded crushed, it was obvious that although he had done all he could, there was a sense of not knowing what to do next.

  “I’ll be right there Barry, I’m leaving right now.”

  “Thanks.” Barry sighed. “I’ll see you soon.”

  Doug placed the receiver back down quietly, oblivious now to the files on his desk. He grabbed his coat from the back of his chair and slowly put it on, normally if there was a phone call from the hospital he would be hurrying there as fast as possible. It felt far worse to have no reason to rush.