the spider whisperer

Anger [chapter 22]

"Cairo!" she called out, closing the door behind her with her foot. "I'm home!"

"Uh..." Cairo's voice wavered. She was still taking off her shoes, meaning she still hadn't yet seen the surprise that was waiting for her in the living room. She was going to be pissed. He knew she was going to be pissed. "Maybe let's talk outside before you come in and get situated. Okay?"

"What; why? We're the only ones who live here, so what's the point in stepping out—" she cut herself off when she looked up and saw her parents seated on the couch of their living room. Her face transformed into a look of disbelief, and she made no effort to hide it. "—side..."

Cairo bit his bottom lip nervously. He didn't wait for an answer before taking her bag and leaving it by the door. He then proceeded to grab her arm and lead her to the hallway of the apartments. Cairo started talking as soon as the door closed, "I know, I know."

"What are they doing at our," she pointed in between her and her brother, "home?!"

"They're wanting to talk. It's a big thing they're asking. I just want to make sure you're emotionally stable enough to deal with this," Cairo's voice was soft. It was to balance out her distress.

She shook her head, crossing her arms as well, "I don't wanna. I'm not talking to them. Tell them right now isn't a good time. Say I have a project I need to work on."

"But—" Cairo started.

"No," her voice was firm. Even so, she was breaking down on the inside. So many emotions were hitting her at once, and she did not like that at all. She wanted her parents to leave, and with them, those big emotions. "Please, Cairo. I just can't do this. I'm sorry, but I can't."

Cairo grabbed her hands. He forced her to look into his eyes. His face showed nothing but care and kindness, "You can, you just don't want to. I'll be right next to you the whole time. You're going to have to do this sooner or later."

"I choose later," she monotoned in response.

Cairo chuckled. He knew what was going through her mind. Anger, bits of joy, hatred. But overall, confusion. Why were they coming back now of all times? It wasn't convenient for either one of them. The older sibling was starting to see someone. He didn't want to have to put his beginnings of a love life on hold because of family issues he'd thought he'd gotten over. And the younger sibling was obviously caught up in trying to take down a crime lord somehow.

How could she possibly just be okay with talking to them? Her life was finally starting to slow down. Why did they have to come back now? How long were they going to stay? Was it going to interfere with her private life?

"Let's hear them out, and then just you and me will talk. We'll come to a compromise for whatever they're proposing," Cairo whispered.

She let his words run through her mind. The lids to her eyes closed lightly as she soaked in what he said. Cairo always treated her like the kid she actually was at heart when it came to matters involving their parents. At the same time, Cairo trusted her enough maturity-wise to lay things out and let her form her own opinions.

She deserved to know things now. She was getting older now.

"Fine," she gave in. Rolling her eyes, she reached for the handle of the door. She added in something right before she threw open the door to their apartment, "But don't even let them get an idea. I don't like them."

Cairo nodded. His opinion on their parents was complicated. He missed when he was younger and their parents would actually parent him. He had those good memories of them that she didn't. But with those good ones came the pain of the bad ones. Cairo hated the way they abandoned him with his little sister when they were still so young. He hated that they were never around. He hated a lot of things they did and didn't do.