My Loved Ones

I stand in the kitchen with my sister as mom and dad speak. Jessica is my best friend. Actually, my only friend and seeing her being treated like that made me pissed. I can only imagine how dad feels at this moment. "I'm sorry that I'm such a muck up, Scott... Who knew this whole adult thing would be so hard, you know..." I can sympathize with that. When I told people my intentions for the future of my life, many doubted I'd amount to anything.

Now I'm more than set for life. Jessica has this idea in her head that she is supposed to know and do everything correctly now that she isn't living at mom and dad's. Before I found my fortune in selling rare in-game items, I was in the same place she was. Lost and without a clue, my only goal was grinding for that success.

I found it after pouring my blood and sweat into something worthwhile. The dead-end job she is working now isn't worthwhile. Moving in with me will take so much stress off her mind, and I know that once she does, she'll try her damndest to prove she doesn't need to lean on me.

Even though she already does do that for a lot of things. "Jessica... If everyone were successful right after they started their life, then the people around us every day would be much happier. My success can mostly be attributed to luck, and as a little brother who loves you, it's okay to depend on me. It's okay to depend on our parents." My sister and parents are my true treasures. I wouldn't be the man I am right now if not for them.

Jessica looks at the stovetop and stares at all the uncooked food. In the silence, we hear the angry voice of our father calm down, and I breathe a sigh of relief. When my father gets protective over either of us, he turns into any person's worst nightmare. Mom walks into the kitchen and smiles at both of us. "Scott, go hang out with your dad. I want to talk to Jess alone." I obey and leave the kitchen and sit at the dining room table with my father.

He still has redness on his face from his fury from earlier. James Autumn, a person I inherited many things from. The main thing being height. When I look at my father, I see the man I hope to become one day. A loving husband and caring father. He has been the best role model a son can ask for.

It's not to say there haven't been problems in our little family before, but nothing to cause a major fracture. "I'm proud that you stood up for your sister... She is a tough woman, but the type of man she dealt with can cause more than just emotional pain... If I were there, I'd probably kill the little insect..." I smile along with my father as he says that. The humor can be seen in many situations when you have time to look back on them. "I heard that the game you were telling me about is coming out. What was it called again? The Anal Universe?" We both laugh at his obvious mistake. I have missed these types of conversations, the ones where I'm not the son anymore. I'm a man, and we can be honest with all our problems.

In the middle of our laughing, I hear mom and Jessica start laughing too. Lily couldn't have raised us any better. She was everything you need in a mother and more. "Okay, boys! We are starting the spaghetti! Come in here and help us!" We both stand up and walk into the kitchen. There is an obvious disparity in height. Jessica and mom both stand at 5'5, and I stand at 6'3. Dad stands just a little taller at 6'4. "I sometimes forget how you aren't that little boy I could carry around in my arms..." Mom smiles at us as we start to help in the kitchen.

After I started to grow taller than Jessica, that's when she became a little meaner. Not in the toxic sibling way, just the normal thing that happens between siblings. It was nice to see all her friend's reactions after I went through a growth spurt.

We spend time talking and laughing—all the while making a giant spaghetti dinner to eat. I don't know how many days I'll have left with all of them, and you never know what can go wrong. A car accident, a fall, or a sickness. Before I know it, they will be senior citizens, and I'll curse myself for not spending enough time with them.

I can't imagine the day they'll be gone. It hurts too much to even think about. After about 20 minutes in the kitchen, our dinner is made, and we follow mom to the dinner table since she is carrying the food. My parent's always made it a point to cook together. It made their relationship stronger. Bonding by finishing a goal made a huge difference in their marriage. It made them equals.

We all sit down and begin to dig into the nice hot food. "So Jessica told me she is going to be staying with you for a few days. I think it's really great you are taking her into your home Scott, we tried many times to convince her that it's okay to move back in with us for a while." Mom looks at Jessica with that typical mom look, the one where it's both a light criticism filled with love that ends with a smile. "Jessica, it's normal to lean on family. You want to be independent, but sometimes it takes some time and help to get there. We'll always be here for you no matter what..." Mom leans over in her seat and hugs Jess since they are sitting next to each other. I can see faint wetness coming from the edges of both their eyes. No tears fall, but they were close.

Dad looks at his two favorite girls in the world, and I can see the joy on his face. He and mom made the perfect team, and I couldn't be prouder of them. We spend the next few hours talking and catching up since we all haven't been together like this for quite some time.

The sun has set, and time has passed faster than I would've liked. I stand up and stretch out my body, releasing a content groan. "It's time we hit the road, Jessica. Tomorrow we'll swing by your place to pick some things up." She stands up, and we both share hugs with our parents. They see us off in the car as we hit the road. "This trip started bad, but I think it ended pretty damn good." Jessica nods her head in agreement, and she stares out the window as the houses pass in the suburban area we are in.

I'm not going to pry her for a conversation. She is probably thinking about that piss-ant from earlier. I don't know what goes on in other people's heads, but I'd like to think that I know my sister. "You don't have to talk to me if you don't want to. I'll admit I'm drained from today's events too. The day after tomorrow, I'll be busy on a new game, so you'll have the house all to yourself. Don't throw a party. That's all I ask." I say that last part with some humor lining my voice, and I get her to crack a smile.

Jessica will probably run into that jerk tomorrow, and going to her apartment to get her things seems like the thing to do. People are unpredictable, and it's safer if we go together. Strength in numbers, as they say.

She leans her chair back and turns her gaze to me as I hop on the freeway back to my neighborhood. "Thanks for being there for me, little bro. I hope you don't mind sharing some of that luck." I smile and relax a little more, knowing she is warming up to the idea of staying at my large house for however long she needs. "What do you think about the recent increase to UWD's value as of late? It has made my life miserable, I get fewer hours because of it, and I'm losing money now." United World Dollars has risen in value the last few months thanks to energy cost lowering. Clean energy isn't cheap, but the world made that change for the greater good. The direction humanity is going in is a bright one.

I take a breath and look at the cities night lights as we pass the beautiful scene. "It's great for me. All the money I have in my accounts has gone up in value, causing me to get richer. However, others things get more expensive, so it levels out." I notice the slightly sour look on Jessica's face. It's not bad jealousy. It's a cute one. "Don't you go thinking that's an invitation to start asking me for things." I tease her slightly, and she rolls her eyes, and she looks out the windows too and sees a clean and beautiful LA around us.

We spend the remainder of the car ride in silence and eventually make it to my house. Jess is already asleep and doesn't look like she should be awoken. I pick her up out of the car and take her inside and to one of the guest rooms. Once she is all settled, I do the same and head to my room for some sleep.