Chapter 15: 2-9-08. I’ve been doing so freaking well with my updates. I don’t really have much to say *readers cheer*…fan of the week goes to bballplaya5433 who left an…enthusiastic (no way to really describe it) message on my homepage. I encourage readers to check it out. It made me laugh. Alright folks you know the routine, rate, message, all that crap. Xoxo! –Lindsay
-Well I'm going home,
Back to the place where I belong,
And where your love has always been enough for me.
I'm not running from.
No, I think you got me all wrong.
I don't regret this life I chose for me.
But these places and these faces are getting old,
So I'm going home.
Well I'm going home-
“You can do it,” Brendon whispered in my ear.
We were standing on the doorstep. My breathing was shallow. For some reason I was devastatingly nervous. I was surprised at how sweet Brendon had been.
The thought left about as quickly as it appeared as Brendon sighed and knocked on the door for me. I shot him a desperate look.
“What?” He asked looking innocent, “you were taking forever.”
The door opened. It was Julia.
“REBECCA!” She threw her arms around me. I felt the tears in my eyes before I could think to hold them back.
“Julia,” I said just above a whisper as I kneeled down to hug her back.
“Rebecca’s home?” Ryan asked from the top of the stairs. He gave me a big toothy grin before trampling down the stairs to hug me.
I couldn’t help but notice that they both had grown so much in the few short months I had been gone. Julia who had always been my baby was starting to get taller and with it her baby fat was leaving and she was developing small breasts. I mean I guess it was about time to get boobs since she was twelve but I wanted to be there! I knew that sounded bad but I wanted to be there for everything.
Ryan had also grown. His voice had gotten an octave lower and he was now slightly taller than me whereas before we stood at the same height.
Ryan gave me a big hug too and surprised me and Brendon both when he held out his hand to Brendon to shake.
Brendon took his hand willingly and said simply, “Hey Ry, what’s up man?”
“Not much. How’ve you been Bren?” Ryan teased at Brendon’s calling him ‘Ry’, the kid name I had always used for him. My eyes immediately lit at this and Brendon sent me a warning glance.
“Bren, why don’t you bring in the luggage?” I asked with an evil grin. He had already paid the cab and it had left but the luggage was still sitting outside on the porch.
Rather than snapping at me he muttered some profanities and opened the door to bring in the luggage.
“Oh, Rebecca! I have so much to tell you!” Julia started. Her stories could last forever so I moved us to the kitchen, walking in and making myself feel at home. I mean, it was my home so I didn’t see what was wrong with that.
I went straight back to my comfortable maternal mode as she began talking. I started pulling things out of cabinets so I could make them a nice, home cooked meal. Who knows how long it had been since they had gotten one of those. Probably the night before I left.
“and,” Julia continued with whatever she was talking about, “I didn’t want to tell you over the phone but I got a boyfriend!”
All at once three things happened. Brendon’s head shot up to gauge my reaction, I frowned, and I felt my heart tear. I was missing her life. My mom and I had raised this little girl in front of me laughing about how one day she would be giving a lucky man all kinds of hell and she already had her first boyfriend… and I wasn’t there for it.
I plastered a smile to my face, “Wow Julia! That’s so exciting! Tell me about him!”
Brendon gave me a look that showed me he saw right through it. I ignored him.
“Well,” Julia started grinning from ear to ear, “he’s also in 7th grade...he plays soccer and basketball…and his name is Devin,” she finished.
“Aww! That’s so great, Julia. I’ll have to meet him sometime, make sure he’s treatin’ my little sis right,” I half teased being the protective older sister.
“Come off it,” Ryan started, “it’s not like it counts. They rarely see each other out of school. Have you even held hands with him?” Ryan quizzed.
“Ry. You don’t have to spoil it for her,” I scolded but turned back to Julia with a smile, “I’m happy for you,” I finished.
Brendon changed the subject, “What are you making for dinner?” He looked hungry.
“I’m trying to decide between spaghetti and pot roast,” I considered, “but you’re used to much fancier…My mom used to make prime rib, cheesy potatoes and snow peas on special occasions…maybe that would work…but I would need to go to the grocery store and it’s a pretty expensive meal…”
Brendon broke my train of thought, “Spaghetti would be perfect. I remember you made that the last time I was here and it was the best I’ve ever had.” I was taken aback by his compliment. How did he remember? That was months ago and he has trouble remembering what he had for breakfast.
“Well if you’ve already had it we should go with chili,” I mused.
“Fine! Then we’ll have chili. I don’t really care. Just make something,” he was getting annoyed. I kind of liked Annoyed Brendon better than Thoughtful Brendon. There was much less surprise in that.
I looked up to see both Ryan and Julia staring at us with wide eyes. Brendon noticed them to.
“I mean just do whatever you want,” Brendon mumbled.
“I think I’ll go with spaghetti,” I also mumbled.
Suddenly I realized I hadn’t seen someone, “Where’s your father?” I asked Jules.
