OI

had switched off my device for their sakes soon after. The bus dropped me a few blocks away from my house and as I highlighted the vehicle, I observed our house. There was no blaring siren or ominous black car. Not a crowd in sight too. That had to mean

r voice was apprehensive. A tell tale sign of the explanat

ents would believe anything after all. I would acknowledge that they were right and I had gone to Marblefay to do some wishful think

mediately greeted by his palms. My cheek

ou know very well that mom's health cannot handle your tantrums. Why do y

this publicly. It was always subtle but I was not stupid. I used to catch the revulsion that overwhelmed me when I was close. It had been that way for as long as I remembered. Well, up until Clay moved o

d you go Eloise?" She didn't even wait for an answer. Not sure she was even expecting one. She pulled me inside, shut the door and faced Clay. "Why the hell woul

ching hot hate directed at me and me alone. I could alm

't give you guys panic attacks and downright paranoia when I have a meltdown. No! But Eloise is a different ball game. She craves it. Don't you, Eloise? The attenti

et over? Clay still had his parents. He had a privileged life. He didn't suffer from insomnia and the dreadful and pungent thought that a monster of a father

oth our parents in a state of utter shock. "We are not biological siblings. I am black and my coping mechanism are unhealthy because they are rooted i

s been fourteen years. You are safe. You have

cked the words right out of his son's mouth. "How dare you Clay?" He demanded. His vo

are of his father to the disappointed gape of his mother. Those same eyes travelled my way and I watched

d the damned thing before it could pour. He remained where he was for a few moment. As if expecting an answer or contemplating something. The silence was thick. I didn't know how to react to his reaction. We truly did not have a close relationship. Truth be told, I wasn't even sure we

ng. "You are right about one thing. I shouldn't have been so selfish. I know you care about mom and

. Even now. You needed love. All that my parents had to give. Therapy, Presents. None for me of course. I on the other hand was well adjusted. So well adjusted that my parents saw no need to keep treating me like the child I was. I had no time to be a child. I had to become an older brother to you, a fortress you could lean on. I had to grow up long before I even wanted to. I thought...maybe when she grows a little, she will come to realise

te me?" I

e when I say this Eloise, I hate you with every fibre