The Rouge and the Reject

Family Reunion

Arya.

            Daniel and I spent hours on the balcony smoking bowl after bowl out of the bong. He told me all about Melody and June and where they met them. Although he completely left out whatever was happening between June and Peter, who still haven’t returned from the forest. I’m pretty sure they were mates. Or at the very least, romantically involved in some way.  I could always ask Peter when he came home, he would tell me anything. After eating breakfast, Daniel and I decided to finally get dressed and go downstairs to greet the rest of the family.

            “We have about four more pounds that are dried and ready to trim. I was going to finish yesterday but I kept thinking about you being in town. I barely got a pound done.” Daniel turned and spoke to me as we descended the stairs.  I had completely forgotten about the shipment, the whole reason those girls and my brother were here.

            “We can put on some tunes grab some coffee and bang it out in a few hours probably.” I smiled hopping down the last few steps. Despite the fact that my asshole brother was locked in a cell in my basement, I was in an incredibly good mood. I skipped into the kitchen, Daniel following behind me trying not to laugh.  Jeremy was standing at the coffee maker pouring himself a cup. The girl I that hugged me last night was sitting at the table holding a coffee cup in one hand and a cigarette in the other.

            “Melody I thought you quit?” Daniel asked her, she chuckled bitterly and took a long drag.

            “After what I learned last night I don’t think I could stand being near him without putting some more poison in myself.” Her eyes wandered to me and immediately began to water. Melody stood up and ran over to me. Throwing her arms around me she held me in her tight embrace quietly crying on my shoulder.

            “Arya….I can’t even….your brother...” She sobbed unable to make a coherent sentence. “I’m so sorry he did that to you! If I had found him sooner maybe I could have-” I had to stop her there.

            “Melody no, please don’t think this your fault in some way. I’ve come to terms with what happened to me. My brother is sick and he needs help. Daniel had told me a lot about you, I think you’re the kind of person he needs in his life to set him straight. I don’t want my brother’s bad decisions to hinder us from being friends.” I smiled sweetly at her and held her tight. I had always wanted a sister. Melody was my chance at that. I wasn’t going to lose that. Whether I forgave Connor or not, which I still wasn’t sure if I could.

            “Oh Arya, you don’t know how happy I am to hear that!” She beamed wiping her tears she let out a small giggle. “I’m sorry I wear my heart in my sleeve I can’t help it.” Melody blushed fixing her makeup.

            “It’s perfectly fine. We all had a rough night. But you should probably smoke a joint instead of a cigarette.” I advised with a grin.

            “Good idea, joint me for a joint on the porch?” Melody asked me. I turned and looked at Daniel who smiled at me.

            “Go ahead. I’ll start the trimming come down when you’re done.” I ran over to him and jumped into his arms kissing him lovingly.

            “You’re the best.” I gushed.

            “I know I am.” Daniel chuckled with a cocky grin. He let me go from his embrace and Melody and I made our way out onto the back porch. Melody and I claimed two lounge chairs that were facing the ocean. The sun was high in the brilliant blue sky. It had to have been around lunchtime. Daniel and I spent the whole morning upstairs, damn. Melody pulled a joint and a lighter out from her top.