Two Strangers of Brothers

Chapter 15

"Well, Isaac, that food was absolutely amazing," my mom smiles appraisingly, her green eyes lighting up as she tries to start up some kind of conversation.

She's been trying so hard, but it doesn't work. We fall back into the heavy silence that's been looming over us since we all sat down at the kitchen table.

I sit next to our mom while Andrew and Isaac sit across from us. Drew's the only one still eating, the constant tremble of his hands slowing him down.

"Since you cooked, I only think it's fair that I wash the dishes." I watch as my mom stands, picking up our plates before walking around the table to take Isaac and Andrew's. I hear Andrew's breath pick up at how close she is and he squeezes his eyes shut.

Isaac takes his hand, slipping his fingers between Drew's. I cast my eyes down, my heart hurting at their display of affection. They love each other. It's so painfully clear. Why can't they love me?

I bite my lip. Who am I to be upset that someone doesn't love me?

Well, I guess when they lie to you about how much they love you just to get in your pants, then you have the right to be upset.

I look up again only to find Isaac looking at me. His hand is still holding Drew's as he rubs reassuring circles on it. I shoot him a glare trying to express my hatred through it. He seems to actually get the message through my eyes this time, and his eyes turn cold. He narrows them at me before glancing over his shoulder to make sure mom is still at the sink.

I follow his eyes to see her humming to herself as she soaps up the dirty dishes. I turn back in time to watch him lean across the table towards me.

"Oh, grow up, Jamie," He spits at me. "Stop being so childish. You honestly didn't think you could live here, did you? Don't be mad at us for sending you home. So stop with your bratty attitude and glares. We're doing this for your own good." He straightens again, his icy stare not leaving mine.

I try to hide the hurt I feel behind the boiling of my blood. I bite my tongue as I watch my mom return from the sink to stand by Andrew's side. She smiles down at him.

"Are you done?" she asks. Andrew seems to have entered another time as he stares up at her with the same fearful eyes he used to when he was a kid. He gives her a small nod before reaching for his plate with unsteady hands. His slender fingers pick up the glass plate and the dish shakes in his hands as he tries to hand it to her. She reaches out for it, the glass touching the tips of her fingers, but he draws away too quickly, causing the plate to drop to the floor with a bang. They both yelp and my mom immediately reaches a hand out to touch Andrew. "Are you okay?" she asks looking down at the shattered plate.

He doesn't answer as he tries to escape her touch, drawing away from her like her hand is hot coal. His chair tips and he falls to the ground, his head greeting the floor with a thud. Isaac jumps up, pushing my mom out of the way to get to him and she stumbles into one of the counters.

The scene reminds me of the time my mom almost drowned Drew, but this time it's different because Isaac doesn't have to choose between me or Andrew. He's already made his choice, and I wasn't ever really in the picture. He's always loved Andrew. Me, not so much. Another thing that's different is that she also won't hurt me. Not this time, because this is new mom. Andrew needs to grow up.

"Oh, grow up, Drew," I shout, mimicking Isaac's words and causing all eyes to turn to me. I shoot up from my chair. "Stop acting so scared around Mom. She's not like that anymore, and all that stuff happened in the past! Get over it! I'm telling you stop acting like such a little bitch, for your own good."