You Never Walk Alone

9

The drive was awkward. I wanted to say something, ask about life since I left his house. I felt like I was going to suffocate if I didn't say anything.

“How's Cece? How many kids does she have.“ Cece was one of my dad's many girlfriends. She seemed to stick around the longest despite his infidelity.

“Four. Thank goodness only one's mine. Cece is long gone. I married Felicia's mother once I left that wench.“

Mabel was a wench. I did agree to that. Even though I'm sure she called him worse things. The rest of the drive was silent and I felt it had to do with the fact that Theodore was sobering. He reeked of alcohol and we'd have been so screwed if someone were to pull us over. Imagine a criminal record at such a young age?

We reached the seven bedroom flat that was my home for the first six years of my life. You see, I lived with my dad till he decided to marry Mabel after they'd met again, claiming it was an old flame being rekindled. I was to follow and it wasn't like I had much of a choice. It was that or staying at home with Aunt Kathy. And she didn't really like me. Don't worry, it was mutual.

The paint had been changed from the emerald green it was to white. I gotta admit, the white looked better. The Green made the house look like the cottage from Hansel and Gretel. All the flowers Kathy planted were gone and so was the tire swing.

“You took down the swing?“ I said in an accusatory tone. It was one thing that still made me remember pleasant moments with Theodore. Maybe because I was a child but nobody could push a swing as good as Theodore did. I actually used to brag about it to my friends. They were amazed but that could've also been because I kinda told them Theodore was superman.

“Ana wants to build something. I don't know what is and I couldn't be bothered. “ Like he could be bothered with anything that didn't concern him.

The door opened and two of my siblings were sitting watching tv. Felicia, my older sister and Tee my (hopefully) oldest brother. I learned never to trust a Casanova when it came to having children. Someone in our school could be a sibling if I investigated hard enough.

Felicia looked at me offering me half a smile. I smiled obviously with not so much enthusiasm. Tee on the other hand pulled me into a bone crushing hug. Theodore disapeared sometime during our bonding session. I hugged Tee again and again and again. He was the only sibling that I actually loved being around. Ryan was a very far away second.

“Look at you. You're all arms and muscle. When I last saw you you were not even as big as a noodle.“ I was smiling ear to ear as I talked. I saw Felicia roll her eyes but that was her problem honestly.

“Well, my mother decided to inculcate me in her trade.“

Of all of my siblings, I was the only one that had nothing to do with my mother. Theodore told me she wanted to do nothing with me. It used to bug me a lot whe I was much older but as time grew, I learnt to live with it.

“So you're a dancer? Professional or just for fun?“

“I have a little gigs here and there. I don't travel the world like she does.“

We were finally able to peel our hands off each other and sit on the couch. I took the space on the other side of Tee because Theodore and Ana, dad's current wife returned to the sitting room. I almost never spent time with Ana but she wasn't horrible per se. We just had nothing to break us past the stiff hellos. I greeted her and I actually got a response.

They went back to watching a show but Tee looked like he was still ready to talk.

“So, how've you been? I heard you were staying with Mabel. How's your twin?“

I punched his arm. “Don't call him that. It pisses everyone off. They relocated to Hong Kong so I'm back here. Yippee.“

“You're so unfilial. You don't care about your parents.“

Theodore scoffed at that, however, I knew my father well enough. He was rage baiting me and I wasn't going to take the bait.

“Well, I've had my fair share of Ryan Thompson but how about you? Have you been staying here long? Where's your mom?“

“Well, Monica loves traveling the world so that's exactly what she's doing.“

“Probably boning some rich Mexican guy.“ Theodore interrupted.

Before I could give a snarky comment, Felicia did. “As she didn't find a rich one the first time.“

Everyone laughed and I wondered if there was an inside joke I wasn't let it on. I did smile because Theodore did look a tad bit humiliated. I thought he was going to say something in return but all he did was sip his beer and continue the show.

“So how long have you been here? You couldn't even come looking for me. You could've called me.“

“Excuse me but I'm not a private eye that can get your handle with little ease.“

Jake did, I thought but only for a millisecond. I didn't nurse the thought before it was thrown out. “Or maybe you have a girlfriend that's taking up your time so you don't care about your sister anymore.“

Everyone went still and I wondered if I said something I wasn't supposed to. “Uh, did I say something wrong?“

“Well,” Tee started. He scratched his head like he was trying really hard to say what he wanted to say. “I am dating someone but … it's not a girl.“

My brain lagged for a few seconds. “Oh, like you're gay? There's nothing wrong with that. I'm chill about it. At least you won't go around impregnating women of all races.“

Everyone laughed again and Theodore got up mumbling something about not getting respect in his own home. Ana asked me a few questions about my school before joining her husband. A yawn escaped my mouth as I cuddled deeper into the couch.

“The Thompson's don't really sleep so if you're sleepy you can go to bed. “

It was almost 4 a.m considering I had school the next day. Tee helped me with my bags and I instinctively went to my childhood bedroom.

“Sorry I invaded your space. Is that okay with you?“ He said as I took in all of his clothes strewn everywhere.

“Yes. But don't you use a closet? This place is a mess.“

" You're my sister, you're supposed to love me like that. You'll tolerate me right?.“

" Sure. As long as you sleep on the floor.“

He grinned. “I got an air mattress your cruel majesty. I just have to pump it and we're good to go.“

“Sure. I need a shower first. “ I said standing up to get something to change into.

I didnt get to shower because once my head touched the bed, I was out cold.