Dust

No matter how much I sweep theres always dust on the floor. It seeps in through the cracks and crannies in my worn down home, like puss from an open wound; Though I guess thats what you get when you live in the desert.

My papaw built this house with his own two hands, the same way he did everything when he was here. I bet this house was a sight in its prime maybe even painted a shiny white, or yellow. Now its rough borders, sagging wood and tilted just a tad to the left. It's not much but it's home, and it's all I have left.

I give up on sweeping the dust and start on the dishes which Evan was supposed to do. But I suppose it's alright since he's been dealing with the triplets the last day or so while I hiked to town to get supplies. It's my first day back home and the house was a wreck, even more so than normal. Its what I expected but not what I wanted to come home to.

"Cas are you home" I smile as I hear the small voice of one of the triplets

I put down the cup I'm rinsing and walk around the corner to the hallway, standing there is Leighana the sweetest and most gentle of my siblings. I open my arms and crouch as she runs into my arms and smiling wide from ear to ear.

"I missed you Cas"

"I missed you too Le, were you good for Evan?" I ask holding her at arms length

"No" Evan rumbles walking from his room

Leighana whips around finger raised at his face "That is not true Evan your'e just mean"

"Oh hush you two you'll wake up the boys"

"were up" the say in unison from their room

I glare at Evan and Leighana and get up patting my hands on my worn out jeans.

"Wash up y'all breakfast'll be started here short"

Leighana runs back to her room and closes the door.

Evan eyes me warily.

"How was the trip Cas"

I turn around hesitant to answer "Sheriff upped our dues"

"What" Evan shouts

"Hush now Evan you'll get the kids worked up"

I start on a bowl of flour and eggs, biscuits seems like an alright breakfast since flour is pretty much all we can afford since ma passed and pa left. Its a sad story. One not even worth telling.

" I just don't understand how were gonna keep affording to live Cas"

I grimace, my hands punching the dough instead of softly kneading it.

"Don't you worry about that Evan" I place the bowl in the window letting the warm sun rise the dough for baking.