Her Miracle

CHAPTER 16

I opened the front door. And slammed it like the usual. It was my way of announcing to the entire household that the devil was home.  After a long day of laughing with Titus, I really was getting fond of him. It wasn’t hard to like him. He wasn’t just physically attractive but he had these wonderful thoughts too. Which made him more unique. He stood out above everyone else. 

My brothers were still yelling at the tv as they watched the football reruns. My mom seemed to not be around. I settled my bag down in the living room, gaining their attention. 

“Someone’s home after a long day of work?” Zachary teased. 

It’s been a week of barely seeing my brothers too. After I cleaned up last Sunday, they were in their rooms during their hangovers. Such a bunch of p*****s who have committed to drinking yet they still didn’t master the art of not getting drunk. What I call, Karma. 

“Yeah, no need to state the obvious.” I snapped back at him.

“Wanna watch a football rerun?” Aiden glanced at me as he sat on his recliner, “There’s food at the table. Steak with some stir-fried veggies.” 

“If you’re offering me to watch with you as a purpose of satisfaction and just insult me afterward? Ah, I’d like to eat in peace at the dining table. Alone.” I replied dryly. “Thanks for reminding me that you left me dinner though.” 

For the past week, I only had the microwave and heated up some mac n’ cheese. And some food I could find from the fridge. This is a good sign. Aiden leaving food for me. 

Zach jumped out from his seat, making both Aiden and I startled. “Bro! Our sister just burned you.” 

Aiden rolled his eyes at him and slapped the back of his head.“She burned us, you idiot.”

Tired of them who’s such a piss off. I left the living room and made my way to the kitchen to grab some orange juice. I'd like to eat in peace. I took a glass from the cabinets and pulled out the gallon of Orange juice and for me to finally get myself something to eat. 

As I poured the juice, I laughed at myself, remembering the events at the grocery store today. I feel idiotic now that I’m chuckling alone. It was those ones of a kind memory you have with someone. A moment you've shared because you have the same brain capacity. He was the insane one between both of us and still brought out the best and wild side of me. And it made me live. He made me feel alive. I've been dead for so long that I didn't know how to live my life that's been in a grey phase. Now, he's given me colors to color it.

“Why are you laughing? You’re getting weirder every day.”

A voice startled me as I chugged the orange juice from my glass. I almost choked on it on who it was. It was Aiden. What was his problem this time? 

“As if I’ve never been weird. Why do you care and since when did you care?”  I irritatedly answered. 

“Hey, the hell? I didn’t attack you. Calm down, woman!” 

“Well, stop trying to approach me like you’re waving the flag of truce yet be a hypocrite about it. Aiden, you’re my older brother whose actions don't align with his words.” I hissed at him harshly.

“Ouch..” He placed his hand over his heart. 

“Seriously, what’s up? You do confuse me every time.” I defended my statement. 

He should stop trying to console me and be a b***h about it. All those apologies that came out of his mouth coupled with his apologetic looks. It all goes down the drain when he just watches and stares at people step on me. But it doesn’t matter anymore. That’s his problem. I don’t need him to stand up for me. I had to do it myself. And I’m doing it right now. By treating them the way they treat me. 

“You liked football reruns… Don’t you want to watch?”

Football reruns were what I've watched with dad together with my brothers. It's played on the Tv while waiting for my mom to get home from work. I remember that my brothers cried cause they wanted football so badly but there's only Lacrosse here. It's the sport this town grew to adapt to.

“Liked. Past tense. Haven’t seen any reruns and some TV for years now...” I took a seat, opening the basket that had a plate in it with a slice of steak and mixed vegetables. “It looks good.” 

“My food always looks good.”

“The question you should be worried about is if it tastes good,” I said to him, smirking. 

I took the knife and fork that set right on top of the table untouched. I know he was trying to have a decent conversation. I closed my eyes and breathed. Calm down, Andy. Try not to have a war. He’s trying. And I remembered Titus' words, I should make amends. Take everything slow. 

“ It does. Mom wasn’t able to taste it though.”

“Why? Duty calls?” 

“Yeah... “ He answered quizzically. He was also in doubt. It was obviously plastered on his face. Not only doubt but worry. 

“What if Zach has a point? Her dating… someone...And now almost lives at the guy’s house? It’s possible.” My voice came out low and curious. I was puzzled as he is. “What? Are you scared?”

“Maybe…” Aiden’s voice was sad. He looked down and settled for a chair, sitting across me. “But you’re right. Mom is terrible at being a mom. At 15, I’ve been cooking for the 3 of us. I became a dad. She just goes home when she feels like it.”

“Yeah, you’re also terrible brothers. Try to keep yourself in check too, you know. Not just your surroundings. Starting from the parties you’ve been hosting and I’m the one cleaning it up. And mom yells at me like I’m the one who causes it.” I massaged my head as I glared at him. 

“It’s just…” He stutters. 

“Just admit it that you’re used to someone picking things for you after you’ve dropped them. Don’t worry, I’m still leaving. You’ll have that problem for yourself. You are mom’s spoiled brats, Aiden. Not me. I was the neglected one. Here you are, scared if mom might leave. You’re already used to it. It’s about time she leaves us all with nothing, you know. You never know what goes on inside her thick head.” I stated as I bit my lip. I've got it out too harshly. I hope he realizes it within him, 

“Since when did you become so smart?” 

“The moment I felt like the world hated me…. After the accident.” I rushed it out of my mouth. “And also, you’re scared that Willoughby has the starring Calyx … I don’t know what his name is… He looks pretty fine to me… But did look like the girls in school stared at him like he’s meat.” I glance at the steak in front of me. Speaking of meat. 

“Well, see… on what that guy has to offer. He’s too late for the Lacrosse team varsity application. Unless the coach would be interested in having him on the team. But if he does apply, we sure will give him a hard time.” He was confident."Kai actually got into the team. He's playing this year."

My brothers really had positions in Willoughby. In mentioning their names, girls’ hearts leap out of their chests. When they had games, they had die-hard fans. Thankfully, there were no cheering squad girls. 

Hearing that my best friend got into the team made me grin. Kai deserves it with all his hard work and he did his best in everything he does. Something to prove to himself and to his family. And Finally, the pressure is gone now that he's part of the team which is one of his goals this year. I'm proud and happy for him. 

“Really?! That's great!! He worked hard for it. But big bro, never judge a book by its cover. You never know his skills in sports could take all of the best ones in the team. Zach, Ryder, and you included.” I teased him as I sliced a piece of the steak and placed it in my mouth. 

It wasn’t that bad. Maybe I’d like it more if it was grilled. It was medium-rare. The saltiness and tenderness both combined from the steak's juice. 

He raised an eyebrow at me. “Wait, don’t tell me you like him? Why are you defending him?

“I’m not defending him. You’re even ready to pull him down. People can surprise you too, you know.” I exclaimed.

"Are you ready for Castle Rock's festivities?" He asked me calmly. 

"Oh, it's the anniversary thing right? with all the parade and carnivals..." I recalled. "I forgot about it. By the way,  your steak is not so bad.” 

He threw his hands in the air like he won the lottery. I squinted at my brother who is insanely weird. I wasn’t the weird one even. He was. I continued to chew at the steak, taking a spoon of the vegetables. Zach was screaming at the tv, the reruns making him mad even if he already knew how it ended. 

There was indeed a first time for everything if you give it a chance. But I had to set things straight. At least point out things for them to know where he stood. 

I cleared my throat and settled my spoon and fork down at my plate. Aiden faced me with his bothered look and with the change of my demeanor. "Really, Aiden. Stop being a hypocrite. As an older brother, I know you have duties. Step up your game like you're stepping up your game just cause you to feel you're threatened by Calyx's hidden abilities. Just by his looks, you feel like he's already competition. Go be responsible for standing up towards mom when it's your fault. I'm not asking you to do it for me. Do it for her.  Give her peace of mind."