NOVEL NEXT Chapter 4: Home
As the car wound through the streets of Haarlem City, Benjamin felt a mix of emotions stirring within him. Haarlem City had always been a place of joy, full of memories that he and his sister Ayo shared.
They'd been born here, grown up in this city, and everything about it reminded him of those happier days. It was a city he loved, but now, those memories felt bittersweet.
His neighborhood, Leidsebuurt, wasn't far from the HFC Haarlem Youth Academy, where he'd normally spend countless hours training, and dreaming of the day he'd go pro. It was a friendly, close-knit area where everyone knew everyone.
Benjamin could still picture Ayo riding her bike through the streets, her laughter echoing as they played football in the park. Those memories were still there, but now they felt distant, as if they belonged to someone else's life.
He stared out of the car window as they drove past familiar landmarks, the corner café where he and Ayo used to stop for ice cream, the bookstore his mom had loved.
The city hadn't changed, but Benjamin had. He wasn't the same boy who had dreamed of becoming a football star, the one who had been so full of life and promise. Now, he was broken, both inside and out.
The car eventually pulled into the driveway of his home, and Benjamin's heart tightened. The house looked the same, modest, with a small garden out front that his mom had always kept neat and tidy. But it felt different now, emptier.
Coach Jansen turned off the engine and glanced over at Benjamin. "We're here," he said gently.
He got out of the car and walked around to Benjamin's side, opening the door and helping him out. Benjamin struggled with his crutches, his arms trembling slightly from the effort.
As they approached the front door, it swung open, and a lady in a maid's uniform appeared.
She looked to be in her late twenties, with short, dark hair neatly pinned back and a kind expression on her face. Benjamin blinked in surprise. He didn't recognize her.
"This is Anna," Coach Jansen explained, noticing Benjamin's confusion. "I hired her to help out around the house while you recover. She'll take care of the cleaning and anything else you need."
Benjamin stared at the woman, feeling a mix of gratitude and discomfort. He wasn't used to the idea of someone else taking care of things for him.
His mom had always been the one to handle everything at home, and the thought of someone else stepping into that role felt wrong somehow. But at the same time, he knew he wasn't capable of managing on his own.
"Thank you," Benjamin muttered awkwardly, not quite meeting Anna's eyes.
The maid smiled kindly. "It's my pleasure. I'm here to help in any way I can, Benjamin. Just let me know if you need anything."
He nodded, still feeling uneasy about the whole situation. But Coach Jansen didn't give him much time to dwell on it. "Come on, let's get you inside," the coach said, guiding Benjamin towards the door.
They stepped into the house, and Benjamin was hit with a wave of nostalgia.
The familiar scent of his home filled his senses, and he could almost hear his mom's voice calling out from the kitchen or Ayo's footsteps thudding down the stairs. But the house was quiet now, too quiet. It felt like a shell of what it had once been.
Coach Jansen led Benjamin into the living room and helped him settle onto the couch. Anna followed behind, quietly placing a glass of water on the coffee table before retreating to another room, giving them space.
Benjamin looked around the room, his eyes lingering on the framed photos that lined the walls, pictures of him and Ayo at the beach, friendly gatherings and birthday parties.
His heart ached as he stared at his sister's smiling face in one of the photos. She'd always been the light of their family, the one who brought energy and laughter to every moment.
"Are you alright?" Coach Jansen asked, sitting down in the armchair across from him.
Benjamin swallowed hard, forcing himself to look away from the photos. "Yeah," he said quietly, though he wasn't sure if he believed it.
Coach Jansen leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "I know this isn't easy dealing with everything that's happened… it's a lot. But you don't have to do it alone. Anna's here to help, and I'll be checking in on you regularly."
Benjamin nodded, though the knot in his chest refused to loosen.
He appreciated what the coach was trying to do, but it didn't change the fact that his world had been turned upside down. He wasn't sure if he even knew how to move forward from this.
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The silence in the house was heavy. Benjamin could feel the weight of his grief pressing down on him, but he also knew that he couldn't let it consume him.
His parents and Ayo were gone, and there was nothing he could do to change that. But he was still here. He still had a life to live, even if it didn't feel like his own right now.
"I'll try," Benjamin finally said, his voice barely above a whisper.
Coach Jansen gave him a small, encouraging smile. "That's all anyone can ask for. One day at a time, Benjamin. One day at a time."
Benjamin nodded again, though the road ahead still felt impossibly long.
But maybe, with time and with the help of those around him, he could find a way to start putting the pieces of his life back together.