Shadows Behind the Medals – Book 4
Title: Shadows Behind the Medals – Book 4
Chapter 1: The Fire in Bray
It was a bitter December evening in 2005 when the fire broke out on the quiet street in Bray. Flames swallowed the Riggs home, and in the chaos and smoke, William's father, Billy, lost his life. The community would mourn, but none more so than William, who was left suddenly and violently without a father, and without a home.
The fire didn’t just consume the walls of a house—it scorched the fragile threads of security William had. He had no choice but to rely on the kindness of those who remained. His best friend from school, Josephine, stepped up in a way no one else could. She became his anchor in the storm.
Chapter 2: Josephine’s Journey
Josephine had always been quiet, compassionate, and fiercely loyal. She and William had been inseparable in their school days at New Court School. When the tragedy struck, she didn’t hesitate. She began traveling regularly between Bray and Dublin—three days in Bray to support William, and the rest of the week in Dublin, where she found a second home with me.
Those were heavy days. William was grieving and homeless. Josephine, still recovering from her own past losses, somehow found the strength to support us both. My own home became a sanctuary for her—a place to rest between the emotional weight of Bray and the realities of everyday life.
Chapter 3: The Triangle of Support
It’s strange how trauma can bind people together. The three of us formed a triangle of support, each person filling in the gaps for the others. I provided meals and stability for Josephine; she, in turn, offered companionship to William, and he gave her a sense of purpose in his time of need.
We didn’t talk about grief in those days. We just carried it. Josephine cooked when she could, helped William with errands, and kept his spirits from breaking entirely. I offered her shelter and a listening ear. We lived from one day to the next.
Chapter 4: Keys and Goodbyes
In 2006, William received the keys to a new home. It should have been a joyous occasion, and perhaps for him it was. But it was also the end of our triangle. With a roof over his head and state services stepping in, our presence was no longer needed. The gratitude was unspoken—and so was the goodbye. William drifted out of our lives.
It hurt Josephine more than she let on. She'd poured so much into helping him recover, only to be let go without thanks. But as she often said, "Some goodbyes are quiet."
Chapter 5: A New Chapter for Josephine
Two years passed. In 2008, Josephine finally joined the local Special Olympics club. It was a slow beginning. She’d hesitated for years, unsure if she belonged. But once she stepped in, she never looked back. The club became her new family, her mission, her identity.
She thrived at first—meeting new people, taking part in events, and feeling valued. It was a transformation. I saw her glow in a way I hadn’t seen in years. But with every new layer of loyalty to the club, our bond began to fade.
Chapter 6: The Cost of Belonging
By 2016, things had changed. Josephine no longer visited. It wasn’t a fight or a falling-out. It was slow erosion—rules from the club, new commitments, rising costs. Her world became theirs.
The fees were rising, the expectations stricter. She began skipping meals to afford club dues. The club’s influence extended far beyond sports—it began to dictate social lives, even friendships. By 2017, it was clear she could no longer balance both worlds.
Chapter 7: Care Packages and Silent Bonds
Now, in 2025, I still send care packages. Tins of soup, crackers, little comforts that say, "I remember you." I don’t know if she reads the notes I tuck inside, or if she’s allowed to. But I send them anyway.
Our friendship, once full of laughter and shared hardship, has become something quieter, more fragile. Yet in each package, there’s a piece of that old bond—proof that love, even when pushed away, doesn’t disappear.
Epilogue: Shadows and Light
The Special Olympics gave Josephine a place to belong. But it came with shadows. Hidden costs, rigid control, and the quiet fading of a friendship that once meant everything. In the end, I hope she finds joy. I hope the medals shine bright enough to outlast the shadows they cast.