60 Another Birthday Surprise

20XX, April 17, Sunday, 3:23 AM; Konner House, My Room

Yes, yesterday was my 23rd birthday and I had a surprise from Eli! I wasn't able to sleep till this morning since we were busy cleaning up the surprise last night, so I thought of writing what happened so I could face the reality of it much quickly.

Again, I haven't written for long and this entry might be a little jumbled since my thoughts were still jumbled. Anyway, I'll start with the events that happened yesterday morning.

I woke up as usual, at 5AM to prepare to go to my intern work at a publishing company. Even though it was my birthday, there was no difference for me since it was only my family who knew about it. Besides, I never expected anything from them since aunt was busy with her new family in another town, while Eli was preparing to join his new university's summer camp that will start tomorrow.

I should have thought my baby brother would still concern himself about it though. While I was sitting in front of the mirror in my room, applying my 'office girl' make-up, the tune of a ring tone came from the phone on my bed.

It was annoying since it was already near 6AM and I had to be at work by 8AM. However, I just sighed then stood up to answer my phone.

The 'Happy Birthday' shout that came through was so loud that I had to move the phone away from my ear. It continued on with a slurred song, then a few laughters.

Eli had already bonded with his new team mates and the previous night was the last of their 'fun' days before the week-long torture, so they had to celebrate first. They dragged my by now eighteen year-old brother for a drinking night out, and it looked like they were not done until that morning.

Before he finished singing, I had to stop him since I really was in a rush. He just told me that he'll try to visit the house later and that I should take care of myself while living alone in the Konner house now.

That was what he always said since he started living in the university dorm. As if I never lived on my own before. Anyway, my brother was just worried about me especially with the news we received early this year.

After that call, I only came back in front of my mirror to apply some tint on my lips before putting back my things in my bag and rushing out. I had to apply the other stuff at a subway comfort room.

The whole day at work was peaceful. Nobody knew it was my birthday so I was ignored unless they had to ask me to make coffee or deliver some papers.

Then, our department head invited the team for drinks after work. Since I don't have anything planned anyway, I just texted Eli that he shouldn't go to the house today since I'll be home late. I should have known he wouldn't listen.

When I parked the car in the garage, the house lights were off like I left them, except for the porch light which automatically turns on once it was night time. The surroundings was also quiet and I could even hear Mrs. Cruz's voice talking on her phone.

What surprised me at first was that the door was unlocked. It shouldn't be because of me when I left since I was kind of OC about the door, especially since I started living alone. There was that time when I was living in the apartment near university with a neighbor's apartment, but that was another story. Anyway, I became more cautious because of that.

My slightly trembling hands still opened the door slowly. When it was partially opened that I could peak inside, I didn't hear or see any movements, but I saw a light coming from the kitchen. It was only a corner lamp which was unnoticeable if you looked from outside.

That was when I started to get really nervous. I haven't been cooking these days so it was impossible for me to leave the lamp on. Even if Eli was here, he would only stay in his room or the living room. He even started to only enter the kitchen to get his food, then eat in the living room. Without opening the lights. Yeah, I once entered the house with only the television lighting the house.

Afterwards, I was about to close the door to call for someone to help or I don't know, the police, maybe. But then, there was movement inside. I guess the light from outside made him notice me. He stood up, and took a step forward. But before I could run, I heard Eli's voice call my name.

His voice was hoarse, but I knew it was him, so I clicked the switch to turn on the corner lights in the living room. I was really mad at him so I didn't notice that he looked really haggard and dirty at first. I closed the door. Locked it to be sure. Then, I glared at him as I stomped forward.

His desperate call of "Sean" again made me stop and look more closely at him. His hair looked like he kept combing it with his hands. Slightly wet hands, so it was sticking at some odd places. His face had some dark spots and the color was also wiped on his cheeks.

When I looked at his hands, there were even more red, as well as on his dark blue shirt, though it was difficult to see. As I was observing him, he just kept breathing harshly. His mouth was open but no sounds came out again, like he still hadn't thought of what to say.

I already had a thought at that time. Without waiting for him to speak, I entered the kitchen and the corner lamp illuminated an area. There was the mop with the broken handle a meter away from another red stain on the floor, going under the head of our uncle who was facing up.

I could recognize him even after all these years. His eyes that usually light up when he sees me were open. He has more facial hair now, which was covering his slightly opened mouth.

I woke up from my trance when Eli called my name again. But yes, my birthday surprise was that Eli killed our uncle. Both of us really couldn't think of what to do. Eli thought of calling Uncle Jake (aunt's guy now) but Eli's scholarship might be at risk even if they managed to make this a self-defense.

That was why we put the body on the basement now, and cleaned up all the blood. Eli will have to go to his training camp tomorrow so I had him take a shower and rest.

I sat with him in his room earlier. Told him we'll talk about it again after he returned. That he should focus on his training first. I looked him in the eye and told him he never did anything wrong.

While he was lying on his bed, he also explained to me that he wanted to kill uncle since that time he caught him in my room. When he saw him inside the house, actually rummaging around the kitchen like he owned the house, he wanted to punch him. They had an argument of why uncle was inside the house, and then he couldn't explain what happened next. Just that, he came to when he was holding the mop handle up, and was about to slam it down again.

He stopped himself when he didn't hear any sound coming from uncle. He turned the body over to check uncle's pulse. Then, just sat down on the floor, staring at it until I came.

I just let Eli speak without interruption. When I saw his eyes were already closing, I stood up and kissed his forehead. Before I closed his door, I heard him say, "Thank you."

I'm still not sure what to do now but I won't let my brother suffer from this. I'll try to sleep first and think about it later. Fortunately, it was Sunday and a day off today.