One Of The 4400 Part 1 & 2

Chapter 6

"Who is she?" A voice asked Holly from where she sat at the dinner table. That was the voice of my nephew, Matt. He was still on time out because just as he got out, the boy had somehow managed to hit Laney on the arm when they were playing a running game a couple of seconds before the table was properly set.

Holly looked up at me, her blue eyes begging me to say something to her son so she could eat her chicken and mashed potatoes. I answered his question after taking a bite of my mom's famed mashed potatoes.

"I'm your Aunt. My name is Vera." I said. The boy--Matt--my nephew's blond head moved up at my answer. He suddenly turned his head around, flashing his brilliant blue eyes at me. "No way you ain't, mom never spoke about you!" He shouted. "Mom's way older than you!"

I was taken aback at his answer, so I merely said nothing and kept on eating while Vance got up from the table and quietly whispered something into his son's ear. When he was done, Vance sat back down, fixing his chair and picked at his meal.

The silence was unsavory, like a brussel sprout in between your teeth, you can still taste it after the dinner you had and now you had to discover you can't get it out. Luckily, my father spoke: "Vera, would you mind telling me what you have been doing for the last year or so since you weren't here for Matthew or Elaine's births?"

I looked at him in gratitude. I knew he was giving me a chance to explain why I hadn't shown up for the last years, a chance to say I have been gone for good reason, a way to tell these kids I'm their aunt--even if I wasn't around. My Dad was amazing that way, he was trying to integrate me more into the family.

"I had made a trip to India around the time Matthew was born--Holly sent me pictures of the birth and of any accomplishments he had done over the years--Including Laney as well--I wasn't able to make it to any of their births but Hollywood kept me updated." I explained.

"Hollywood?" I hear Matt ask. The curiosity in his voice unmistakable.

I could hear everyone pause their eating.

"What?" I asked.

"Hollywood?" I could hear Laney question in her sweet voice.

Holly looked up from her chicken. "I haven't heard you call me that since you left for that trip," she said, "But I will tell you this...I'm glad you said it tonight..." Holly smiled up at me, her eyes nearly tearing.

I smiled, my cheeks becoming pink. I ducked my head and took a bite of my mashed potatoes.

Vance smirked at me, his eyes nearly narrowing. He knew what I meant when I said 'Hollywood': it was a nickname almost everyone at the dining table knew; except for the kids. I used to call her that because when we--she and I--were the same age, she was dramatic, often making mountains out of molehills, and constantly on verge of making a scene. Therefore, the nickname.

Looking at her now, I can see she has grown up, retaining her dramatic flair but I could see she has lessened it down considerably, making her now more bearable to speak to.

Sure she had her faults but she had her positive attributes that nearly crushed her faults to oblivion: she was without a doubt, loyal and she was sweet when she wanted to be; And most of all, she was perfect in the essence of being a sister.

The years before I was abducted, she listened to my problems, offered to solve them, and did anything to help. That was more than I could ever hope from a sibling. Maybe after dinner, she would listen.

Now looking up from my plate, I see Vance looked from Matt to Holly, asking her a question with his brown eyes. Holly nodded and Vance received his son from time out and had him sit in the empty chair next to him.

"Ah, but honey--you haven't seen the most recent ones from this year!" My mom exclaimed from where she sat. I smiled at Mom and winked at Laney who was on Mom's right hand side. Laney stifled a giggle.

"Okay, so when?" I asked, feeling the excitement of seeing how have my niece and nephew had grown up in their scrapbooks. I could see the scrapbooks next to the large TV screen in the living room. "After dinner, honey." My mom said, giving me a big smile. I couldn't resist smiling back when all of a sudden I hear Matt yell: "Uncle Damien! Uncle Damien! Uncle Damien!"

Seeing everyone smile suddenly, I was confused for a moment, getting up from the table, Matt runs to Damien, who was behind me saying, "Hi, Matt!" in a cheerful voice. I turned my head, seeing my brother Damien hug my nephew close to him, the long blonde hair of Matt merging with Damien's short dark blond hair.

"Hi," I said, after Matt had hugged Damien and was walking back to his seat.

"Hi," he said, smiling at me, his blue eyes shining. "I'm Damien."

"Um...I'm Vera?" I said-asked questioningly.

What was going on? Wasn't Damien supposed to know that I was his sister? And why did he just introduce himself? Wasn't he supposed to know who I am? Where I've been all these years?