The Bright Side

Chapter 1 - Part 2

SKY

I'm a stranger, an intruder, an unfamiliar presence in my own home. Everything is silent, which is a strange thing for our house that usually bursts with life. There's no one to be seen, except Mum and Adam, hiding behind her legs. No Josh. No Leslie. No Amanda. And apparently, not even Jen made the effort to be here when I finally arrived back home.

"Are you Sky?" Adam asks me, pulling Mum's skirt half across his face. Being three years old and living in a world that only revolves around yourself with no such thing as a reliable long-term memory can do that to you, I guess. Forget your brother.

"I am."

I set down my bags on the hallway floor and crouch down so my face is on a level with his. His big brown eyes scrutinize me openly and although it feels as if he's trying to examine my soul, I hold his gaze. He scans my face for something familiar and I his for any sign of recognition. A chubby hand reaches out for the leather band around my neck that holds a miniature skateboard carved from wood. His eyes light up at the sight, finally finding something he can refer to.

"Leslie made that." Adam smiles.

"Yeah, he gave it to me for Christmas. It's pretty, isn't it?"

I brush my fingers over the deck; the wood is already smooth and shiny from the million times I have done this before. Right that moment Leslie comes down the stairs and throws himself on top of me.

"Sky!"

His knees smash against my balls and his elbows poke my chest and it's the best possible welcome I can imagine. He hasn't forgotten me.

"Hey, bruv." I kiss his cheek and struggle to sit up again and hold him at arm's length. The pointy bones underneath his skin prove that he's recovering from a growth spurt, he's at least two inches taller than last time I saw him.

"How long are you staying?"

"Until October."

Three whole months at home will hopefully make up for my absence since Christmas.

"Can we go skating sometime?" Leslie asks.

"Sure. I just have to unpack first."

I'm only inside for like five minutes and I'm already torn between wanting to catch up with my family and needing a break from them, too.

"I can show you your room. If you want me to." Adam's voice is small and insecure, but also determined to redirect my attention towards him.

That he thinks it's necessary to see me to my own room, the room I've grown up in, that I've lived in basically for my whole life, twenty years, it's like a blow to the gut.

"That would be really nice of you, Adam."

I get up on my feet again and grab the straps of my bags. He looks up at Mum, checking if it's ok to go with me. She strokes his dark blonde hair and nudges him towards the stairs. I turn to go after him, but Mum holds me back. She's blinking rapidly and presses her head against the side of mine as she hugs me.

"It's so good to have you home."

I can feel tears dripping onto my skin, one after one they tap against my flesh, trying to worm their way inside where they can touch me. They creep down my neck and into the collar of my shirt in that cold, unpleasant way until they're soaked up. The force of her emotions is like a thunderstorm and I'm afraid that lightning will strike me if I don't run for cover.

"Ok, Mum."

I don't want to hurt her feelings; I wish that I could say something soothing and meaningful, but I can't think of anything but that I want to get away.