Jesper had a hard time after his uncle Jesse died. Damn it... nothing will be like before.
Normally he would make some music when he’s sad or very angry. But for now... he feels like he doesn’t want to touch a keyboard any more for a long time.
Luckily no one ever died from playing a little guitar..
Jesper cries a lot the following days. Even though just a few days have passed, it feels like time is going by quicker than ever.
Jesper knows he doesn’t have to hide his tears for his parents, but feels a bit ashamed of his feelings.
Loek: “Hey pal, it’s okay, you’re doing okay! Just cry it out!”
Jesper: “But daddy... It’s just three days until new years eve.. and I don’t feel like celebrating it at all... But... if I’m not even feeling like celebrating, what about Jake...”
Loek: “It’ll be fine, Jesper. We’ll be there for Jake. And for each other.”
Jake’s parents are hot topic during dinner that night.
Jesper: “Mum, dad...? I have this question... which I can’t get rid of.
Loek: “Then ask it.”
Fay, playing with her super hero doll: “It’s okay, sweetie.”
Jesper: “... What’s going to happen with Jake if... - you know... - Jacqui passes away?"
Fay and Loek took a glance at each other.
Fay, with a calm voice: “Well... Suus and Rob will take Jake in.”
The Voetsol Legacy generation #4: Emilie, Loek, Fay & Jesper
Jesper: “Dad? What are you doing?”
Loek: “... Hmm?”
Jesper: “You’re not eating... Don’t you like your eggs?”
Loek: “Oh. Right. I was just thinking about grandpa, kid.”
Since Tijmen died, Loek has thought about his father a lot. It was just about a month or 2 that he picked up his old guitar again, and asked him father to teach him some chords. Now he has to do it on his own...
Jesper: “Mom?”
Fay: “Yes?”
Jesper: “Is dad even okay? He’s so abscent minded lately...”
Fay: “It’s because of grandpa, sweetie. He really misses him.”
Jesper: “I know... I miss him too... I love how granddad played the piano.”
Fay: *sighs*.
Next morning it’s Saturday. Grandma Emilie (Fay, Jacqui and Suus’s mother) is up very early. She’s almost done with her breakfast when Jesper appears in the kitchen for breakfast.
Emilie: “Good morning, son. I’ve got a surprise for you.”
Jesper: “What is it, grandma?!”
Emilie: “Your nephew will be here in a few minutes. Nancy needs to go to work and your father and Twan are going to grandpa’s house today. They’re going to talk about grown up stuff. The funeral.”
Jesper is always excited to see his nephew Bram, who is also his best friend. He can’t wait until they can start playing already. Unfortunately Nancy won’t leave, since Bram can’t stop talking to her.
Bram: “Mom? Will there be toys in grandpa’s house that we can have now he’s dead?”
Nancy: “I don’t know, Bram. We are mainly going to talk about the funeral, sweety. So...”
Bram: “But you can also look for toys, right?! Dad said he’s going to clean out his old bedroom. And I bet there will be some toys left, right?”
Nancy: “’I’ll see what I can do.”
As soon as Bram gets inside, he forgets about these toys that probably aren’t there anymore, because he sees Jesper’s big doll house.
Jesper laughed: “I always thought you found these are for girls?”
Bram frowned: “No! Just come and play with me, already!”
When she sees the kids are playing without any fighting, Emilie resigns herself in her painting room. Bram can be a bit hot-headed from time to time, she’d noticed. Also, seeing her grandson growing up is very different than seeing her three daughters growing up. Girls are so different! She feels sorry for the fact Jesper’s best friend Bram and her grandson Jake don’t get along: whenever Jake and Bram are combined in one room, there will be fights. She’s so happy Jesper is a nice kid that gets along with everyone. Actually, all of her grandchildren are nice: Jesper, Jake, Joey and Sophie are all nice kids. She hopes Joey and Sophie’s little sister will be a cute one, too.
That night Bram got picked up by Nancy, who’s home from work. Fay went to house to visit Suus and Rob, and Loek is still with at Tijmen’s house. Emilie watches a movie with Jesper before bed time.
Jesper: “Grandma?”
Emilie: “Yes, sweetie?”
Jesper: “I’m sad grandpa’s dead. But at least you didn’t die at the same time!"
This clear, chidlish line of thought made Emilie smile. She snuggled close to Jesper.
Emilie: “Me too, Jesper. And I’m not planning to die any soon, so don’t worry.”
---
The next morning Jesper comes downstairs and finds a great, white piano in their living room. It’s grandpa Tijmen’s piano! Without any doubt he sat down at the stool and started to play a bit.
Loek woke up to this sound of piano. It makes his heart melt: love for music obviously flows thorugh their blood. He loves how Jesper doesn’t even hasitate to use that piano. He just hopes it’ll be used an awfull lot more!
