JJ and a Routledge

Hey, I'm Your Sister

I walk through the hot, empty streets, passing house after house, trying to find the 3 numbers I was looking for. All I had was a bookbag with 3 changes of clothes, toothbrush, pads, and... deoderant. So, as you can tell, I don't have much. And based on this neighborhood, the person I was trying to din wouldn't have much to give me. 

My eyes land on the house- not as bad as the others on this street- but it kinda looked like a broke-fisher frat. I sigh, debating on walking to the door or not. I wish turning around now was an option, but, I'm not going back home so, fuck it. 

Well, here we go, about to knock on my so-called brother's door. I came all this way to find him so it better be worth it. I take a deep breath, what's the worst that could happen? Well, he could think that I'm a stalker or some weird murderer, report me to the police and not believe me. I shake my head and finally, knock on the shabby house door. 

"Coming!" I hear someone grumble. As they get closer to the door I hear cans and trash being stepped on. Do I have the right house and not a divorced grandpa who has a drinking problem? Eventually, they open the door. I meet my eyes to a tall, tan, freckled teenager with brown eyes and hair. Seems to fit the description. 

"Hi, are you John Routledge?" I ask him, he just nods. He looks like he just rolled out of his bed, and his voice confirms it.  It was all scratchy and dry, his hair was mess, tossed everywhere. Something told me that it was usually like that. 

"Look, if you're trying to sell me something..." I cut him off, shaking my head while putting my hand out. 

"No, no. I'm Lydia Routledge, and I know you probably won't believe me but I'm your- your sister." I squeak it out, and he just shakes his head and grins. 

He laughs, "Did JJ set you up for this?"  

I look back at him confused, "JJ?" I ask, "No, I really am your sister, I lived with our mom, she never told you about me and she fled the family, with me. For 2 years, before she fled I was with some random family, she cheated on your dad with some other man but kept my last name Routledge-" I was ranting, trying to explain until John stopped me. 

"Hey, hey, how about you come inside? This seems like a long story, and I think I believe you..." He ushers me into the house and I nod. I was right, the house was a mess, sand was all over the house, dishes were anywhere but the sink, and beer cans were everywhere I stepped. "Sorry about the mess," John mumbles, "I need to clean it." I raise my eyebrows, taking in the room one more time. 

"Yeah," I mutter under my breath. He shoves all the clutter on the couch on the floor so we can sit. I cringe inwardly at the conditions and almost consider going back to my hell hole of a home. 

"So, tell me the full story, from the beginning." He smiles slightly, giving me enough courage to empty it all out. 

"Um, yeah..." And I start. 

What I told him was this, soon after he was born, his mom started hooking up with this other guy, and she described him as a Kook. It went on for not even a year, when she got pregnant, when her stomach became noticeable she went on a 'trip' for around 4 months and had me. She sent me to some random Kook family for 2 years until she left John and his dad, taking me with her. She was a drug addict, which started when I was about 10, because she met some 20 year old guy.  I got abused, mainly verbally by her but sometimes physically. Her boyfriend was a different story, he's scarred me for life, but I tried not to go into detail, and when I turned 15 I fled, to find John B. 

"Woah, that's- that's a lot." He sighs, he looks like a lot of emotions all at once. Confused, sorry, angry, and lost. 

"Yeah." I chuckle lightly, "For sure." I tried to keep the mood light, but that's kind of hard to do due to the topic at hand. Very hard.