One

"Faith your phone has been ringing for the hundredth time . " my dumbass brother cried out from the sofa.

" I know! For god's sake could you just pick it up for me?  My hands are super busy right now "  I  shouted back from the kitchen.

" No, I will not. I am busy watching tv"  He yelled back. I could hear him switching channels. All of them being equally boisterous and chaotic.

I heaved out a long sigh turned down the stove and run towards the living room.

" so much for being a responsible sibling ...  " I muttered under my breath wiping the sweat off my face.

And like the day could not get any worse I stumbled and hit my toe under the table.

"Oh, shit shit ..shit... " I cursed in frustration holding my toe and waddling towards my phone. And my brother Aiden would not stop laughing about it.  I do not get what is so funny about it.

"Please stop laughing Aiden, you are being insensitive right now "I groaned. I  feel like I am going to explode in anger.

I looked at the phone and saw four miscalls from my mom. I dialed her back and she picked it up on the second ring.

" Hey mom " I greeted her dreading anything she would say.

" Are you ignoring my calls young lady ??  "

I lean back at the table feeling like the conversation is gonna belong.

"No mom .. I was in the kitchen making breakfast and packing lunch for Aiden..." The loud sound from the show swept away everything I was trying to say.

"Can you turn the volume down Aiden! I am trying to talk here"  I yelled and throw a pillow at him simultaneously.

Aiden threw a dirty look at me, turn the tv off, and ran upstairs crying as loud as hell.

I pinched between my brows feeling a headache soon.

" ... And honey today i. Is Aiden crying? What the hell is going on over there ?"

" yeah, i ..."

" what did you do to him ?"

" well I threw a pillow at him cause he will not turn down the volume "

"You could have asked nicely sweetie. Why did you have to shout like a wretch ?"

"Come on, mom I didn't even yell that loud He is just trying to make excuses so he can skip school "

" No Aiden would not do that. you must have hit him hard "

" Well, I wish I did "  I shouted in frustration. I can feel my eyes heating up.  I cannot spend a day without feeling constantly irritated

" Honey you are older than him. Why are you acting like a five-year-old? "

I can feel my nose stinging. I don't understand what is wrong with me. Everything upsets me.  Nothing soothes my anger.

" Okay .. I am sorry. Now tell me why did you call ?" I tried speaking without choking.

" Oh yeah I am coming back for dinner and I will buy your favorite pastries from Baked Goods on the way back. Just make sure you keep the house clean. Dad might be joining us for dinner if he is not busy and tries to do something productive. Don't lay in your bed all.. "  she won't stop going on about it.

Wait... Is something burning??... THE BACON!

"Oh shit, I'll call you back later mom "

I can hear her saying something in the background. I cut her off and sprinted towards the kitchen.

The smoke was horrible and the bacon was unrecognizable. Black as a coal.

"Way to go Faith .. "

And the fire alarm ticked off.  Perfect!

"And that's the cream of the crop "

****

"Goodbye Ava "  I call out to the next person after my shift. Ava is also one of my best buddies. She is the human version of a fox, like literally. She is crafty and nimble.  The epitome of sexiness.

" Good Night love. And take a leave tomorrow, I will talk to Harry about it. you need a break. Go out ." she yelled back from the counter.

Even though she nags a lot, I know she has the best intention in her heart.

My nose stings a little and my heartfelt warmed by her words. Dear god why do I act like a pregnant woman. 

I smiled back at her.

" Thanks, Ava but I will be okay. Go home early. " I gave her a  flying kiss.

As I walked out of Baked Goods, the cold wind blasted on my face tearing my eyes up a  little.  The weather was cold. I crossed my arms and look up at the blank sky. Nothing stood in its way except the fog seeping out from my mouth. The vast emptiness and the night skyline made me feel a little sad and empty inside as much as I don't want to acknowledge it.

I reached our neighborhood in a half an hour walk. 

I drag my sore feet up to my front porch and I am already dreadful about the mess my thirteen-year-old brother Aiden made.

Aiden was not always an angry child. He is very caring inside. He is just a lonely kid that yearns for parental love and care. And the hormonal changes messing up with his emotion even more.  

He just wants a caring mom that bakes him chocolate cookies and a strong dad that comes to his football games. A big sister he can look up to. And we failed at all of those. Especially me ... I dropped out of college. I don't have any talent or hobby. The small amount I earn from past times doesn't help much to the family. Sometimes I wish my parents had sent me to learn something other than studying like painting, dancing, anything.   It does suck to be bad at everything. I am not proud of myself. Neither are my parents nor my brother.  

I took a deep breath to  collect myself and step in

I cleaned up the mess and quickly cooked some rice, made a huge pan of chicken teriyaki and a bowl of salad greens.  It's Aiden's and Dad's favorite.

Aiden helped me by laying out the plates on the table.

We waited for mom and dad until the food turns ice cold.  I knew they would not make it but a tiny bit of me wish I was wrong. As much as I don't want to admit it is nice to have dinner all together.  

I could not bear to look at Aiden's face filled with disappointment. I patted his back

" Hey buddy, come on let us eat our dinner... Mom might not make it today she is busy"  His shoulder droop and let out a small sigh.

"As always " He muttered in his breath and ran towards the sink to wash his hands.

I reheated the food and quickly had our dinner. Aiden helped me with the dishes and watch some Netflix on the couch.

****

I looked at Aiden's sleeping face. I put a pillow under his head and tuck his blanket in. I swept the fringes off his face and kiss his forehead. I turn off his lights and head back to my room.

The sinking and emptiness came back in full swing. I curl myself in a ball and try to get some sleep.  Waiting for the next day to repeat the circle again and again.

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