Red

Drought

The next day was pretty uneventful for me. Mom, on the other hand, was gone most of the day, preparing different things for the wedding. She still needed to rent a canopy for the backyard and find someone who could decorate and rent an altar and chairs. She was in a rush to get out the door that morning, so I didn't get to talk to her much. I wished I could have gone with her and glared at my stupid foot for keeping from doing the one thing I came there for.

"Uh-oh, someone looks grumpy." Jacob stepped over the threshold of the front door and flopped onto the couch next to me with the remote in his hand. "What's your problem? PMSing?"

I scoffed at him, "No! Not that its any of your business if I was." I returned my glare to my foot, "I wanted to help mom plan this wedding, but so far all I've been doing is sitting on my ass."

He shoulder bumped me after settling on a channel that played cartoons from when we were kids. "Don't look so bummed. So you fucked up your ankle. But the longer you sit on your ass, the faster it will heal. Have you been taking your pills?"

I nodded, "I just feel so useless."

"I know what will make you feel better." He stood from the couch and headed toward the kitchen. I sat there confused, contemplating on getting up to follow him when he didn't return right away. Soon, the scent of butterscotch drifted from the kitchen and my interest was piqued.

"What are you making?"

A few minutes later, he returned with a plate of pancakes and a cup of chocolate syrup. My comfort food. He set the plate on my lap and poured the syrup over the top before turning to bring the cup back to the kitchen.

"Butterscotch pancakes?" I couldn't believe it, my brother made me food to help me feel better. "You do love me!"

"Don't expect it again and if you speak anything of it, I will deny every word."

I laughed and he smiled, settling his eyes back on the TV again as I dug into the delicious pancakes. He was right, it did make me feel better, but it was more about him making it than anything else.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

My phone buzzed in my pocket and I pulled it out to find a text from my old friend, Mandy, who I have not heard from in weeks. It wasn't that we fought or lost contact, we were just okay with not talking for a while. Ours wasn't a demanding friendship.

Mandy: Hey bitch. Why didn't you tell me you were back in town?

Me: Sorry, been helping mom with wedding planning. We should hang out this weekend, though.

Mandy: Duh! I can't believe we missed hanging out on your birthday.

Me: It's only been two days. You can make up for it by buying me a drink. Or ten.

Mandy: I heard you're back to breaking bones again.

Me: Damn small-town gossip.

Me: It's just a sprain

Mandy: And some really hot guy brought you to the doctor?

Me: My step-brother

Mandy: Kinky.

Me: I'll see you Saturday at Drought?

Mandy: Definitely!

I rolled my eyes at my best friend. If she only knew how right she was with her joking.