Chapter 2: Hey, brother. Do you remember me?

Me: Hi dad.

Father: Emily, my dear. I thought they took your phone.

Me: They discharged me months ago

Samuel: Oh whoopee

Mother: Samuel, be nice and don't annoy!

XOXO Your mother.

Me: OMG u don't need 2 punctuate sentences on texts and u don't need 2 say XOXO Your mother!!! This is WhatsApp not a formal letter!!!!!

Mother: You missed some commas, dear.

I sighed in exasperation, glaring at my phone. A family group chat on WhatsApp. I regretted it instantly. Samuel, my second eldest brother, hadn't talked to me or any of my family since David sued him over that girl. Mother, still stubbornly insisting that I was straight, hadn't come to terms with modern technology, either. Father, on the other hand, was delighted by it. David hadn't deigned to respond.

Father: Adja, embrace the technology. You'll find it quite interesting.

Mother: Don't tell me what to do!

Sincerely, Dr. Adja Hussain, PhD

Me: We're ur family u don't have to call ur self Dr

Samuel: Is there a point to this or can i go

*You added "Jade".*

Father: Good morning, Jade.

Jade: Mr Hussain. Dr Hussain. Sam.

Samuel: sup jade

Jade: me and Em feel that we should all meet up at some point. u guys didn't know that Em was back so i think we all need to like have a chat

Father: What a wonderful idea, Jade. When should we meet?

Samuel: wait Em? as in Emily? I thought she died in China.

Me: I never went to China

Samuel: Really oops

Me: do u pay attention to anything

Samuel: to stuff I care about

Me: who do u think was txtng????

Samuel: dunno. I know a lot of chick's called Emily. u don't stand out

*"Jade" removed "Samuel"*

*"Jade"* removed "David"*

Jade: so I think we should meet at Costa in Wokingham maybe

Father: Sure. Say, five on Saturday?

Mother: Five thirty. XOXO Dr. Hussain

Father: Very well. I will see you all then.

Me: c u then

Jade: 👋 bye 👋

Mother: Goodbye. Sincerely, Dr. Adja Hussain, PhD.