Excellent Words

Chapter 4 RYDER

“Ok. While you're here can you help us with our house?”she sounds eager so of course i have to say yes.

“Why wouldn’t I?”

“Thanks. Ok then let’s get to work. Mi, Theo, Ramsies, and Jay, go outside and start cleaning the yard, Ryder please help them. Tabitha, Natalie, and Amelia help with the downstairs, and the rest help me upstairs,” states Jaz.

We get to work as soon as she has said that knowing she means business. The oldest boys andWhen I wake up and look at my clock which says 9:34 a.m., I reach for my phone. The first thing I see is a text from Jaz it says goodnight at 3:27. What was she doing out that late? Suddenly there is this great mass of sorrow in my heart for her. I know her father and her sister left them. Now she’s the second oldest left with 10 siblings whom are all crazy.

Slowly i wake up, go downstairs, and eat. The cereal tastes bitter. I text Jaz and tell her to meet me at the park on the South part of town. She texts back saying she needs to stay home today due to a family outburst. I don’t reply knowing I shouldn’t bother her anymore than i have.

When i’m in my room there is a calendar with Birthday written across the top thanks to Jaz. I remember the exact day she wrote that in big block letters with stripes and polka dots. Suddenly there is a knock on my front door. I go down knowing my parents have left for work, that’s one of the downsides of my life. Parents always gone, never here. Becca, Jaz’s sister who left them, is at my door.

“Look I know this is a bad time, but where is Jasmine?”

“I don’t know. Did you check the house?” I ask scared that she’s gone.

Before answering she gives me a quizzical look like what the heck look, “I thought she was living with you?”

I am dumbstruck why and where did she hear that? “Not that I know of at least. She should be taking care of your family the one you and your father left,” i spit at her.

“Oh, well i had to go off to college,” she says matter of factly.

“Yah,but you didn’t need to leave them and take all their money.” I am almost fuming I’m so mad. I tell her to leave and head over to their house after her. The house is a wreck outside as always. We walk inside to see everyone sitting in the living room. I know something is up especially when their mom isn’t here. Jaz looks up from braiding Tabitha's hair with glowing green eyes and long brown locks of hair flowing down her only 17 year old body that holds the look of an olympic runner.

“Mom is gone,” she directs to Becca mostly, but looks at me.

“What do you mean gone?” Becca says terrified.

“I sent her to Aunt Jamie and Uncle Cliff.”

“How could you do that Jasmine?”

“Because she was hurting this family. I needed to do something to help her.”

“Well then what’s the point of me coming here if i want to see Mom not you or the other rats.”

“Then leave us rats, leave.”

“I will and i hope you know Dad nor I will be coming back soon.”

I laugh at her stupidity and realize that I’m the only one laughing in which I stop immediately.

“I am leaving for Aunt Jamies house goodbye.”

“Bye,” they all say in unison.

“What are you doing here?” Jaz asks a little madly and annoyed.