The Secret Pull

Chapter 4 - With the Family

I plopped down on my little brother JJ's sofa and curled up between my sister-in-law Jessica and my mom. I arrived in town three days ago and so far everything has been great. I don't have to wake up at three in the morning to start a 12-hour shift at work. I have delicious home-cooked meals every day. I go out for jogs in the woods at sunrise and enjoy the sunsets with a beer in hand in the backyard. So far, I've spent my days catching up with old friends and my nights with my family. I had almost forgotten my run-in with Paul. Almost. I'm grateful that I haven't run into him since. I tried not to think about him and overanalyze everything about our last encounter. Every time I think about how I threw myself at him my cheeks redden. I'm so embarrassed. I don't know what came over me.

"Are you ok?" my mother questioned. I blushed as I pushed thoughts of Paul out of my mind. I nodded before resting my head on her shoulder. The best part of this trip home is the fact that my mother and I haven't had one argument yet! She has always been overbearing. She would say she was simply being overprotective. Every bit of freedom that I had growing up was clawed from her iron grip, with a little help from my dad. She was fine with my decision to stay at my brother's house. But she has come by almost every single day to check on me.

Neither my brother nor my dad has night patrol tonight so we are finally all gathered for dinner. The weather was warm, and the food smelled amazing. It was going to be a good night. The men were outside in front of the grill having a spirited discussion about tomato-based sauces over vinegar-based sauces.

"Oh, she's kicking! Do you want to feel it, Gab?" Jess squealed aloud. I giggled as I quickly stretched out my hand and she placed it on the top portion of her belly. I felt a small rise in the area under my fingertips and then a sharp jab to the middle of my palm. My eyes widened and I pulled her into my arms for a hug. Jess starts to pull away but I hug her tighter as I warn her not to move. She knows how much I love her. She is the sister I never had. Despite the distance between us, we talk every single day.

Jessica is always fun to be around. She has no siblings and can be a little spoiled but she's thoughtful. She is always happy and smiling and very unconventional. She always has her hair dyed in some outrageous color. Now that she was pregnant, she kept her naturally brown hair in a pixie cut. I still can't believe she and my baby brother JJ are going to be parents. I am very excited about becoming an aunt! "If you keep hugging me like this, I am going to pee myself!" Jessica squealed. I laughed as I finally let her go.

"It is so good having you home with us", my mom said as she wrapped her arms around us both. "I wish you would consider moving back. JJ could use your help with the new baby."

I hummed in agreement but I didn't say anything. My mother hated me being so far away from home but she could be a little overbearing. I had already approached the hospital about my intention to leave. I accepted a good offer from the hospital where Jessica intended to give birth. I wanted to surprise them with the news after dinner. I was about to finally admit my plans when Jessica suddenly jumped up from the couch and said "gotta go" and ran for the bathroom.

When Jess came back to the living room, mom was already outside. She had grown impatient and took over the grill duties. My dad and brother had taken their little debate to the kitchen. "Hey, Jess..guess what I can do!" I said as I stretched forward to grab the remote from the coffee table. Her eyes popped open and her mouth dropped when the remote disappeared from my hand. I have been practicing for weeks in my apartment with different objects and I just wanted to show off a little. Jessica is a witch whose specialty is "shading" things. She once hid the entire house as a prank on my brother.

"That's amazing! Can you hide moving objects too?" She gasped. I shook my head. I explained I wasn't anywhere near as advanced as she was and asked if she would help me practice.

After dinner, I told my family about my job offer and my plans to move home. Everyone was ecstatic. My sweet burly dad cried. My parents both gave me long hugs before leaving for the drive home. Jess and I stayed up to watch a movie. We talked about the baby's arrival and she tried to convince me to move to a nearby home. But, one thing kept creeping up in the back of my mind. I looked out of the window and I could see a full moon creeping up over the trees.

It was almost midnight when I felt Jessica shaking my shoulder in my sleep. "Gab..Gabby...wake up" she whisper-shouted in my ear. I rolled over and face-planted into the comfy sofa. I never did make it back to the guest room after she left me for bed. She leaned in closer and said, "JJ has to get up early tomorrow but I need some pickles."

"Now?" I turned to glance at the clock on the wall. "Nooohoho Jess!" I hoped I sounded firm enough to dissuade her. Jess just looked at me and pouted.

"Please, please, please Gab. It's for the baby!" she whined while rubbing her belly like a magic lamp.

"Ugh...Ok ...okaaaay" I grumbled. "Where's my hoodie?" I squinted with my sleepy eyes. Slowly rising from the couch.

"Just wear mine! Here...let's goooooo!" She tossed me something white that had bunny ears on the hood.

"You can't be serious!" I whisper-yelled. She just shushed me and waddled towards the front door. I took a quick look at myself in the mirror before we left, adjusted my ponytail, and shrugged. It was pitch black outside with only the light of the moon. The only store open at this time of night was at least 35 minutes away. My plan was to drive Jess to get the pickles, come back, and soon I will be back in dreamland.