He Cares.

Chapter Two.

  "Can I help you?" Phillip asked me, standing by the kitchen door.
  
      "I'm done. I just need to preserve them for later". I replied without looking back.
  
      "Oh OK.." He said and I knew he was hurt. "Can I do the dishes then?" He asked.

        "You know I don't like you helping me in the kitchen right?" I answered him, still not looking back.

      "I'm sorry Char-Char" Phillip said, hugging me from behind which surprisingly made me feel at ease.

        Two hours ago, I left his room to make dinner. Not like it was time to eat because it was just some minutes after 5pm. I just loved cooking because it relieves me from stress and all, it takes my mind off things.
     Since I came into the kitchen, I couldn't help but be mad at myself for making Phillip sad to the extent of shedding tears. I promised myself to always make him happy so the fact that I made him cry made feel like I bore a lot of weights on my shoulders but then, his hug.. his warm hugs with his wide but still little arms took them away. It took away the burden I caused upon myself.

     That's why I love my brother. Ever since he was little, he always knew how to make one happy. He knew how to make one feel loved.
      I remember once when my parents were arguing. I don't know how, but the next minute, I saw them both hugging each other with a crying Phillip at their feet.
        I've come to realise that no one, no matter how cruel and heartless such a person is, can resist Phillip. He gets on my nerve sometimes, he can be quite stubborn but I don't think I'm capable of resisting him. He has everyone, including me, wrapped around his fingers.

       I carry Phillip up and place him on the kitchen table and peck his forehead. "I'm the one who is sorry Phil. I shouldn't have yelled out you. I understand what you're going through and I should be there for you but I just can't, please understand. I love you and you know it, I don't want to ever see you sad. You know what?, I'm not going to stop you anymore. You are ten and not more a child. If you think that's the path you want to walk in, then go ahead. I might not be able to guide you but i release you to Rose-Mary and George". I told him and I could see the surprise and excitement in his eyes.

       Rose-Mary and George have been our neighbors for a long time. I see them as my grandparents because when I was a baby, Rose-Mary took it as her duty to help my mom take care of me.
      Ever since she got married to George for over thirty years, she didn't have a child so she always took care of me as hers even when she adopted a daughter ten years ago.
      Till this day, Rose-Mary and George still takes care of I and Phillip. Though I work, I'm still in school but I still work. My parents were actually wealthy, but I still needed to have my money. I needed to work so as not to get stranded later in the future. With the money I make and the ones my parents left, Rose-Mary and George still took it as a routine to give us monthly allowance.

      When I stopped believing in God, Rose-Mary tried talking to me, she tried letting me know that God  exists and cares for me. But then, when I stopped visiting and started restricting Phillip from also going with her to Church, she stepped back. She gave me space and promise not to push me, so I reconciled and closed the gap space but still didn't release Phillip back to them.

         Rose-Mary and George are good Christians. Even though sometimes I don't see they still serve God. More than thirty years and He still didn't give them a child. They love him and He refuses to make them happy, yet, they claim He is a miracle worker and a caring father. Pffft... I'm done believing that.

        "Really?" Phillip shouted in surprise.
    
"Yes baby". I answered, giving him my biggest smile.
     
       "Thank you Char-Char.. I love you" He hugged me.