The Revenge

Seven

I woke up lying there wishing that the last two days had never happened, but I know it did. Next thing I knew, my phone was ringing; it was Harvard Law School calling me. I answered hello, I said. Hello, this is Tommy from Harvard Law School. Hey, how are you doing, he asked. Not so good. What is up, he asked. I told him about how my dad died and how my mom kicked me out. Oh no, he said. Would it help if we pushed you out a semester or two? Yes, that would be great, I said. Ok, he said, done. I will check in with you when the time gets closer and see how it is going. Ok, I said it sounds good. Then we hung up the phone.

A few minutes later, there was a knock on the door. Come in, I said. Derek walked into the room. Stupid question for you, but how are you feeling? He asked? I am not ok I should be at school right now. I don’t like lying here, I am sorry, he said as he took a couple of steps closer to me. Thanks, I said. I wonder what he is doing, I thought to myself. He comes over to bed and then sits down at the other end. Is there anything that I can do for you? Can you bring my dad back to life? I asked. No, unfortunately, I cannot do that. But I wish that I could do that for you. I really do wish I could he said again. Thanks, I said. Then there was an awkward silence for a few. Then there was a knock on the door again.

Come in, I said. In walked Meridith, Hey, sis and Oh, hey Derek she said. He jumped up off the bed fast, like we were doing something we should not be doing. I just came in to check on her, he said. Ok, said Meridith. “I will talk to you later, said Derek, and he walked out. So, what was that about asking Meridith? I do not know what I said. He asked me if there was anything we could do for me. I asked him if he could bring my dad back alive, he said no, then you came in, and at the end of it, I said. Wow, she said, “He likes you, she said, all teasing like. I said, turning my head, hoping she did not see me blushing. Tara and Derek, sitting in a tree, k.i.s.i.n.g Meredith started singing. Stop I yelled and pulled her onto the bed and covered her mouth. Then we both started laughing so hard we almost did not hear the knock on the door. Wow, I am popular today, I said. Then I said, “Come in. It was my brother this time. Good to hear you laughing again, he said.

Are you ready for the day, Tara? My brother asked. No, but I can get up and get ready, she said. Please and thank you, he said. He walked over, hugged us both, and then left. I got up from the bed and started to head to the dresser to get a pair of pants, then I remembered I still had to get my stuff from my mom’s house. Meridith, do you have any clothing I can use till I get mine? I asked. Yes, she said, then she left. She came back a few minutes later with jeans and a tank top. Thanks, I said as I took them and put them on. They look good on you, and they fit you, she said. Thanks, I said, and out the door we both went.

We walked out to the hangout, and I noticed that Derek was looking at me, then he hurried and looked away. My brother walked up and said, “First, we eat. Then I have something for you to see. No question, just please do what I asked. Ok, I said.

The three of us sat down, and my brother called Derek over. Set with us he said as he pointed to a seat next to me. Ok he said as he sat down. Hello again, he said. Hello, I said as they were setting food and coffee down in front of us. Thanks, I said. You’re welcome, she said as she walked away. We sat there, talked, and ate.

After we had finished eating, we all got up and walked out. I was heading to my car when my brother waved me over to the motorcycle. I walked over to them and said Yes? You are going to ride on the back of Derek's motorcycle. Ok, I said. I did not question it. I love riding motorcycles, but I did not get too often because of my mother. I got on, and Derek handed me a helmet and put this on, please. I did as he said, and off we went.

We got on the back freeway and went about 45 minutes out of town and got off in the middle of nowhere. Then we drove another 30 minutes. Finally, we pulled up to this two-story white house in the middle of nowhere. It has a porch that wraps around it on both floors. What is this I asked. This was a place we built for you, so you have a place to live when you come back.

We have not given it to you yet because we just finished it this morning, and we were going to give it to you when you got back. I was so surprised I could not say anything more, I just ran inside. Wow, it’s so beautiful and it’s fully furnished, so I don’t have to worry about anything. There was food in the fridge and cupboards. The furniture was black. I love it, that’s what I have always pitched for having. My brother came in. What do you think of it so far? It's beautiful, I said, I have not been up the stairs yet. Will go check it out, he said. I ran up the stairs and checked out everything. There were four bedrooms. A primary bedroom, a bathroom up there. I came back down and ran into my brother’s arms and said thank you over and over. Ok, I said you’re welcome, I take it you love it he said. I love it. I said goodbye, now let’s go get the stuff from your mom’s house. Then they all leave her house.