Mismatched Socks

Renée - Chapter 3: I can't find the Queen!

My brother's car stops in front of us. 'Are you sure your parents are okay with us staying the whole weekend?' Elise asks.

'My father is.' I take a seat in the back.

'And we could use the help decorating', Colin joins the conversation.

'Who is he?' Elise asks confused.

'Renée's best friend, Colin', Sophia explains.

'Okay, cool', Elise says with a nod to Colin sitting in the front.

My brother starts driving.

'Dankjewel om ons te komen halen, Mathieu ', I say.

'Geen probleem, liefste zus .' Mathieu gives me a smile..

'It is so weird', Elise says next to me.

'Now you know how it is when you are talking Norwegian to your mother on the phone', Sophia chuckles.

'But still, so weird', Elise repeats herself.

'We'll talk English from now on', Mathieu says. He doesn't like it when people call our native language weird. But he's kind enough not to make a scene out of it.

'So how old are you?' Elise asks.

'24', my brother answers.

'So, you are an adult and move with your parents to a different country, why?'

'Because our mother made us. And I could've stayed too if I wanted', I answer.

'Is you mother that bad?' Elise asks stunned.

'Yes', Mathieu, Colin and I say as one.

'Oh.'

~~~

Half an hour later, we arrive at our houses. We take our bags and walk to the big wooden front door of my house. 'I'll come in a second', Mathieu says and goes to Colin's house. 'Where is he going?' Elise asks. 'My brother', Colin says when I open the door. 'Are they friends too?' Sophia asks curiously. 'That's one way to name it', I chuckle and shout that we are home.

A few seconds later my mother is standing in front of us. 'What are you doing here?' she asks with her over the top British accent.

'Didn't papa tell you?' I ask a little disappointed.

My father rushes out of the study. 'I forgot. Sarah, les enfants font une fête ce week-end avec leurs amis.'

'Et qu'est-ce qu'on fait?'

'Rendre visite à tes parents?'

'Okay, you can have your party.' My mother looks at me and Colin. 'But clean it up after', she says and walks to my dad to give him a kiss.

We walk upstairs to my bedroom – which is way too big for one person. 'Your mother doesn't seem as bad as you said', Sophia says carefully. I look at her but don't answer. 'Colin and I will search for two matrasses, don't break anything', I say and walk out of my room. 'It is annoying that she is always nice when my father or you are around', I say to my best friend. 'I know', Colin agrees.

~~~

After fifteen minutes Colin and I are each carrying a matrass. 'Need some help?' Our brothers come walking up the stairs. 'No, I'm fine', Colin says and walks into my room. 'For those five meters, I will be fine too', I say and carry the second matrass in my room. I lay it on the ground and look at my brother.