Sympathy For the Devil

9

Julian's driving has not improved. I don't care what New York state says, he does not deserve his driver's license. Reaching the ground felt like the biggest accomplishment I have achieved to date.

    "It was good, Julian, really." Dad tried to sound convincing, whether he was trying to convince Julian or himself, but he looked like he was about to start vomiting in the car. His face was turning a squeamish shade of green. I'm well on my way too.

Sarah, my dad's secretary, waited on the stoop with our takeout orders dressed in a Heather gray pencil skirt and a hot pink blouse. Her usually prim and pristine bun was messily coming undone as blonde locks flowed towards her shoulders. She looks mentally exhausted. It can't be easy working for a grieving widower. Especially one that comes with three children all with different wants and needs.

    "Thanks, Sarah. How about you take the weekend off. We're all set here. Here's the money for the food."

    "Will do, Sheriff Lucas. Thanks. Enjoy the food, guys!" Even her forced energy sounded tired and monotonous. Just by her voice alone I can tell that she is heading directly home to sleep for the entirety of her weekend off.

    I dug out a fry. If Julian killed me with his not so skilled driving, I would have missed these greasy mongrels. Fried food is the most mouthwatering substance in all of the world. It may even beat out ice cream. The peanut oil added an extra blast of flavor to every bite.

    "Hey, save some for the rest of us, why don't you." Julian snatched the grease-soaked brown bag from me, stealing a few fries himself.

    "Aren't you on a health streak? Looks like you're losing." I gloated smugly as Julian's face darkened. He ran his fingers through his blonde hair out of pure annoyance. He always does that when he's ticked off. And I loved every second of it. Getting under his skin is easily my favorite pastime. 

    "Don't patronize me, Ellie. I went for a swim at the annex earlier. I'm perfectly healthy and in shape." He tugged on a strand of still wet blonde hair that curled around his fingertips. "I think I deserve the empty calories right about now." The guilt on his face says otherwise.

    I shrugged as I headed inside with dad wavering over each of my wobbly footsteps. I am not looking forward to super dad when I am home this weekend. School will be blissful in comparison.

    "Walk much." Julian brushed past my shoulders as I kicked him in the shin with my combat boot. "Ow, Jesus Christ."

    "I think I walk just fine, thanks, but you could use some work with your walking and your driving skills clearly." I let out a snarky laugh as I moved past Julian who was on the ground hugging his shin.

    "Enough." Dad's voice boomed. "Separate if you can't act like mature adults towards one another. You are siblings, you should at least try to get along. Les is another story. But you two actually have a chance to connect without ripping each other a new one."

    "I guess she isn't a complete lost cause." Julian said after popping another fry into his mouth once he got up from the ground on shaky footing.

    "And I like that he's ambitious, sort of." I mumbled under my breath.

   "That's the spirit." We all headed down the long hallway until we reached our apartment. When Dad propped the door open, we found Les watching T.V. Silently watching T.V. Miracles do happen.

However Luke managed to silence Les is beyond me, but I want tips and pointers pronto. Failinis sprawled out over Les on the couch, sleeping. I snapped a photograph with my phone's camera. It's a rare sight seeing Les this at peace without talking. I'm capturing evidence because no one would believe me if I told them this.