1 Calm before the storm

Erika got up from her bed and stretched for a few minutes. It was still early in the morning but birds were already chirping.

"Sis? Why are you up so early?" Dan yawned and rubbed his eyes.

"Sorry, did I wake you?" Erika got up as quietly as possible. "I need to get to work early. I have a morning shift. I'll leave your's and dad's lunch on the table. Please tell him before you leave." Dan nodded and went to sleep again.

When Erika was in high school, her mother passed away from tuberculosis. Life was difficult after her mom's death. She still remembers her scent and her smile. Erika misses her everyday.

Erika's father works as a baker at a nearby bakery shop. Her father used to be a doctor but when mom passed away, he was in depression and in a lot of guilt that he did not save her even though he tried various medications on her. Before her mom passed away, she loved to bake cakes and bread for the whole family, she also left a notebook containing all of the recipe. Her father saw the notebook and started to try to bake different kind of bread. His mood improved day by day and he started to smile again. Even though it was hard to get over mom's death, we always had each other to depend on.

Dan is Erika's younger brother, he was still training at the airforce academy because he loved to be a pilot one day. While he's still a student, he does help a lot with household chores.

When Erika finished making breakfast, lunch boxes, she placed them on the table and made a note.

As she heads out, she loved the warm sunlight and watching seagulls and birds made her so peaceful.

Walking the hospital was pretty close, people are already starting to open up their stores, mothers bringing children to school and fathers heading out to work. Living in this coastal village had its benefit, everyone was so close knitted. Erika smiled as she passed by a street vendor. She bought few chocolates because of the price inflation due to war. She put them in the bag and planned to give to his father and brother after work.

When she came to the hospital, surprisingly there were a few patients. She changed into her gowns quickly then began to assist the patient into the treatment rooms. As the doctor talks to the patient, Erika quickly wrote down all of important notes. Many hours passed, Erika does the same work over and over again. No matter how tired she is, she loves her job.

"Erika, do you have plans tonight? We are going out to eat and watch a show." Erika shook her head. "I would love to but I have to go back home. My dad's health isn't too good and my brother will come home late because of school." Erika waved them bye as she headed home. It was already night time, people started to close their shops and kids running home to their families. Erika looked up at the stars and thought about her mom.

"Mom, please watch over father, Danny (Dan), and me. We all missed you. Hope you are doing well there. Don't worry, I'll take care of them." Erika smiled as she breathe in the fresh air at night.

As she went home to her two storey house, Erika quickly went upstairs and changed her clothes.

"Dad, I'm back." As she went to the kitchen and saw her dad cooking dinner.

"Oh, you're back. Just in time, the steamed potato and baked bread will be ready in one minute. The tomato soup is already finished." Erika's dad placed the soup on the table and she placed the baked bread, steamed potatos on the table. She left some for Danny so he can eat it when he comes back.

"Dad, your bread tastes just like mom's. You really did well!" Erika smiled as she took a huge bite. Her dad smiled and ate his food.

"I'm glad my little angel likes it, I'm going to bake more if you want." They both smiled and laughed.

Their life was simple even though they are not rich, they are happy and loving to each other.

"Dad, I forgot about this." As she takes out a bag, there were three chocolate brownies.

"I passed by the vendor this morning and I thought you and Danny will love this." Her dad was touched.

"It must've been expensive. You didn't have to do this." Erika placed her hand on her dad, "Dad, you already did so much for our family. If mom was still here, she will be so proud of you. Eating sweets once in a while is good." Erika fed her dad one brownie as she took one too and leaving the last one to Danny.

"Dad, I'm going to wash the dishes now. You can go rest now. I'll take over. Don't overwork yourself even though you used to be a doctor." Erika took her dad to the rocking chair.

"Here's a blanket dad, don't get cold. Here's your medicine." Erika gave her dad pain medication.

Her father was a man she admired when she was young. Cool, handsome, smart, and very family oriented. Ever since her mom passed away, it took a toll on him more than Erika. He wouldn't talk for a week, relatives will come and bring us stuff and food to eat. He slept for over a week. He did not smile for a long time.

When she graduated high school with top honors, that was when she saw her dad's first smile on his face. During her years in a small college near her house, everything was going well. One day, her father got beaten by drunkards while delivering some baked goods to a friend of his. Her brother rushed into her school and dragged her home while other people watching were astonished.

"Dan, what happened? Tell me! Don't just drag me." Dan stopped and looked at her. "Dad got hurt. Good thing I passed by." Erika was shocked. "Dan, let's run." As they both ran uphill, they finally got home.

Her dad was on the bed, unable to move much. He tried to get up but Erika told him to lie down.

"Danny, do we have ice?" Dan shook his head. "Cold water and a clean cloth then." Dan understood and quickly got those two.

"Dad, what happened?" As Erika cooled down the inflamed area on his knees waiting for an answer.

"Nothing really. I was delivering goods to Uncle Winston then a group of drunkard came, bumped into me. Things went downhill from then." Her dad chuckled and then winced in pain.

"You should be careful, next time take a different route. I don't like it when you get hurt." Erika was about to cry but she held it in.

"Don't worry Erika, nothing will happen to me. I promise." Erika held onto her dad's hand and nodded.

As Erika thought about the past, she was glad her father took her advice but her dad's knee pain became chronic.

Everyday, when the weather cools down a bit, his knee pain will act up again.

As Erika walked towards her dad, her dad fell asleep while reading a book.

Her dad looked so peaceful when his eyes were closed. She placed another thicker blanket over his chest.

"Dad, I love you to the moon and back." Erika fell asleep beside her dad.

Few hours later, Erika woke up and stretched.

"Oh, it's still one in the morning." Erika went upstairs and saw Danny fast asleep on his bed. Erika covered his brother out of habit because he always kick his bed quilt.

Then she went downstairs and the food was finished. As she washed the last bit of dishes, she prepared for tomorrow's breakfast and lunch. Sweet potato for breakfast and baked bread and salted home grown potatos, boiled eggs and cheese.

When she finished, she yawned and headed upstairs. Before she headed back, she heard a moan.

Erika saw her dad having a nightmare and she wiped off cold sweat with her hand.

"Sophie, Sophie... don't leave me. I promise i will heal you... Sophie, no... don't go! No!" Her dad finally woke up from the nightmare.

"Sophie, Sophie... where are you? Where are you? " Her dad cried.

"Dad, it's okay. I'm here. I'm here, dad." Erika pulled out a necklace with a pendant and showed it to him.

"Dad, mommy is here. Look, mommy's photo." Her dad clutched to the pendant and sobbed.

"Sophie, I'm sorry. I should've saved you." He cried and cried. Erika gently hugged her dad while he cries and he calmed down a bit.

It's actually the first time she saw him so vulnerable.

"Dad, no matter what. I will always stay with you. You can cry, shout, complain to me. I'm sorry I didn't spend enough time with you. I'm sorry." She hugged her dad again and kissed him on the cheek.

Oh right, she almost forgot... today was her mother's death anniversary.

She sighed and came into terms. She hugged him for a while then led her dad upstairs to bed.

She felt uneased for a moment but decided to shook it off.

Peace won't last long... disasters will come