Into The Future

THE WAIT

Angie walked in as the door jerked open. She shut the door behind her and turned to see her father, mother, and brother staring at her. They were in the living room. She braced herself after being startled.

"What! Why are you all staring at me like that? " She asked, trying to keep her cool. Margret, her mother, scurried over to her and grabbed her by the ear.

"Ah! Ah! Ah!" she sobbed in response to her mother's finger pinch. She had returned home from a friend's house when she was supposed to be at home waiting for her foster brother, which she had not. She had a reason though, which may or may not have been very valid, but it was a reason nonetheless. Her mother was married to George, the father of Angie and Collins, her two children. She had thoroughly enjoyed her married life with her husband, and she had never regretted marrying him. He was her ideal match in every way. She works as a nurse in a hospital and as a mother and a wife at home, completing her home: a happy family home.

"Where are you coming from?" Margret asked, slightly harshly, before letting go of her daughter's ear.

In response, Angie inquired, "Where else but Lisa's?" She rubbed her sore ear. "I didn't deserve that!" she grumbled. You're aware that your brother will be arriving soon, right? I'm curious what excuse you've devised for him."

I knew he wasn't coming back anytime soon, and he isn't my brother. Who knows if he'll show up at all."

"Look at yourself; you were almost nowhere else when he was here..."

"Enough, Margret," George said. He was perched on a sofa. "I believe instead of this, we should be concerned about our son, who was supposed to arrive a while ago."

Angie made her way to her room as quickly as she could. Collins, her younger brother, smiled at her.

"I'm guessing when she said she was his girlfriend, she meant it."

Angie came to a halt after hearing the statement. She was abashed.

"That was just a joke, dummy!" she exclaimed as she dashed away, not waiting for Collins to respond.

Her father surprisedly frowned, but he was unconcerned about what he considered childish talk. When Collins was asked what that was about, he shrugged, his lower lip pouting.

***

The Georges were still waiting for Ian two hours later. Collins was already asleep on the sofa, while Angie was now dressed in an indoor outfit. Angie took her phone and pressed the power button to see what time it was. "I should have stayed at Lisa's," she sighed, disappointed. Her strange behavior was caused by an incident that occurred a month ago when her foster brother called to say he was on his way. When she heard it, she was overjoyed. She waited for him for about a week and he never showed up. She waited a few more days, but there was still no show. She was sad and heartbroken; as broken-hearted as the day he left. She was forcing herself to believe that the same incident would occur this time too, in order to avoid being too hopeful and ending up being disappointed all over again. Nonetheless, she couldn't help but worry about him. I hope he's all right. Please keep him safe. She prayed over and over in her head, but she kept the expression hidden from her family.

Margret objected to her muttering, but George cut her off.

"OK, you two; I'll call John." George's driver was John, not that he needed one because he could drive himself. However, when John was fired from his job a few months ago, he came to him for assistance. He didn't have any work for him, but he was too polite to say no.

After a one-on-one conversation with him, he offered him the job as his driver. John was a hard worker who didn't want any free money from him. He wouldn't take any money from him unless he worked for it. George didn't have any other choice, so he hired him as a driver. Unlike what he had expected, John was grateful when he asked him. It wasn't what he would have offered him if he had other options or if John had simply agreed to accept the money he offered. John stated that he needed to be busy for a while before he could find another job. His brother was going to assist him with that.

George had sent John to pick up his foster son from the airport, but it had been hours and there had been no signs of his foster son or him. Before he could even make his call, John's call was routed through George's phone.

"John! Where are you? " He enquired and listened. He grimaced after a second. "What?" he exclaimed. Margret and Angie were stunned. "What's the matter?" Margret inquired.

"Find him, John!" George stated solemnly.

The door flew open, and Ian walked in. George was astounded.

"He's here," he said, hanging up the phone.

Angie jumped up and scurried over to Ian, forgetting she was angry at him. Her head was resting on her shoulder, and the hug was tight. Her hands were wrapped around his neck. Ian's hands were also wrapped around her.

They must have been overjoyed to see each other after such a long time. Ian and Angie were close friends.

Although they were fosters, they have maintained a close relationship. Their friendship was something to be envied. People are envious when they see them together or playing because they have such complementary chemistry. People occasionally wonder why they aren't together. Some people believe they are dating secretly but are unable to reveal it because they live under the same roof.

Margret's face shone with a bright smile. She didn't mind if two of her children were friendly close, even if their closeness was a little closer than usual for siblings. It was more useful to her that way. Angie was being a little naughty, so she used her friendship with Ian to get her to behave. She will occasionally threaten to keep her away from him if she does not help out in the kitchen or do other things she wants her to do for her. This was her tried-and-true strategy. Angie had not been herself when Ian left. Margret had been heartbroken over her daughter ever since. That's why she was so happy about his return. She understood what he meant to her better than anyone else.

She was relieved that he had returned. Angie can finally be herself, always happy, and her blackmail tactics will resume. Margret's heart was overflowing with joy.

Ian smiled again after the long hug. He then trudged over to his foster mother and hugged her. He let go of her, and she looked at him, her hands on his shoulders.

Ian turned and walked over to George. He stood there, unsure of what to say. He stuttered. George embraced him and inquired.

"How is your mother?"

"She's fine," he replied quietly. He still had his backpack on.

"You must be strong for her." She requires your strength now more than ever. George said this while patting his shoulder. "Go and freshen up."

Ian nodded, his face solemn.

"I'll carry this for you," Angie said, taking his backpack and scurrying to his room while he followed. She sat on his bed, wide-eyed, grinning and staring.

He took his backpack from her and unzipped it. He took some clothes from it. He was lost in thought as he looked around.

"So this is how you left it, right?" Angie asked, smiling. "I didn't let anyone, not even mom, touch anything."

Ian muttered as he wrinkled his brow. "I suppose." He looked her in the eyes.

She returned his gaze. She could see the sadness therein. Her smile vanished in an instant.

"Is your mother going to be okay?" She asked, and Ian gave her a glare that wasn't a glare.

"She's fine," he said. He approached her, sat on the bed with her, and stared at her for a few moments. She was staring at him as he was staring at her.

"I've missed you," he said, as if he had to force the words out.

Angie was a stunning young lady who was admired by the majority of those who had seen her. Many people claim that they could never have imagined meeting someone with so much beauty. It's still a mystery how Mr. and Mrs. George gave birth to her. Her beauty transcended the realms of the imagination. Almost all of the boys at her school have considered having her as a girlfriend. Only a few, however, have been able to go ahead and admit their feelings.

Her response, on the other hand, has always been negative.

Her smile makes people want to smile, and her eyes melt hearts. She is breathtakingly beautiful. How is it possible that she doesn't have a boyfriend? After seeing her for the first time, Jackson had this thought.

"Me too," Angie said, resting her head on his chest and wrapping her arms around him in an embrace. Ian then wrapped one arm around her and patted her on the back of the head with the other.

Collins yelled as he ran toward them, "Uncle Ian!"

Ian wrapped his arms around him and hugged him tightly.

"How have you been, super-boy?" he asked.

Collins responded, "I've missed you." I assumed you weren't going to come any longer. "

Ian gently pushed him out of the hug.

"How can you say that?" He looked him in the eyes.

"Angie and I waited for you when you called, but you never showed up. I thought you'd left for good. "

But I did promise you I'd return, didn't I?"

"Yes, you did."

"I always keep my word."

"What about the ball you promised me when you return?"

"Hey! I said I always keep my promises, dude. Now go. I'll get your ball tomorrow. "

Collins smiled, and Ian reciprocated. "OK," Collins said as he walked away.

Ian smiled as he turned to face Angie.

"OK, umm... I've got to go," Angie grinned. Ian sighed as she walked away.