Next Door Neighbor (Part One - 1966)

6. In the Middle of the Night

Week 6

"Dear Journal,

Is there such thing as a normal family. If so, could you find me one? Mom and Daddy just pretend each other don't exist, which is turning into ignoring us. I don't know how much longer I can deal with this. I don't think I can shelter James from this much longer."

February 10, 1966

Aurora

Phoenix, Arizona

"N-no. S-stop!" A foot jabbed me in the side of my thigh. Pain shot throughout my leg and I let out a small yelp. My eyes flew open to see my little brother squirming under the covers. In the darkness, the outline of his body was moving into incomprehensible shapes. "Pleaaasee, stop!" 

"Jamie." I whispered.

"N-gehhwaayyyyyyy." Was the broken response.

"James, listen to me." I said quietly. "It's only a dream. Come on, little brother. Open your eyes."

Hazel eyes opened, glimmering in the dark with tears. James clutched my with all the strength he possessed. His plush lips were pursed together, as though trying to hold in the sobs. This was a recurring thing every night.

Sadly, he couldn't go to Mom or Daddy. They kept their door locked for some reason. Their fighting just kept getting worse, over the last few days. Dad isn't speaking to mom, and mom is... just being mom, I suppose.

The beginning of anger bubbled in my stomach. Why did my parents get to be selfish like this? Aren't they supposed to be caring for us, while I'm the one taking care of James.

But this was the only thing in my life I had control over. Keeping him safe. Keeping him happy was the best I could hope for. I kept running my hand through his short, coarse hair. A blessing and a curse.

"Rora?" A small whisper came from my neck.

"Yeah?"

"I'm sorry for wakin' you up."

My heart broke. The sadness that was held within that sentence made me wanna break. The fingers that were running through his hair, found his face. His brown eyes met mine.

"Never apologize for waking me up, Jamie." I replied softly. "It's my job as your big sister to protect you, understand?" A slow and tired nod.

"Yeah."

"Care to share what you were dreaming about, bud?" His face hid itself back into my neck. I felt a slight jolt, that signified a no. I guess that was fair. Whenever I had bad dreams, I surely didn't want to share them. "That's okay. We don't have to talk about it."

"Thanks, Rora. Sometimes I don't like talking about the bad stuff that happens." James admitted. His arms wrapping tighter around my body, hugging me close to him.

"I know exactly what you're taking about, sweet." I blinked. My eyes were still trying to get used to the darkness. "But let's try and get some more sleep. Together, we can chase the nightmares away."

"Kay." He whispered.

I made myself comfortable, propping myself us on my pillow. With my little brother in my arms, I prayed for a way to get through this. Prayed for a way to prepare myself and my family for something big that will surely happen.

And that's how I spent the rest of my night, tucked away with my brother. If only I could protect him the way he deserved.

---

The pale rays of sunlight woke me up mere hours later. I felt a crick in my neck from too long in the same position. James was all snuggled up underneath my covers. As fine and dandy (and cute) as it was, I couldn't deal with the sleeping positions much longer.

"Jamie?"

A snuffle in response.

"Jamie, please roll back onto your side. I can't lay like this anymore." I whispered, hoping he'd be lucid enough to just move over a little. He snuffled once more before sleepily rolling onto his belly, and not off the bed. Thankfully.

I tried to get a little bit more sleep. Even counting sheep or relaxing my body didn't help (thanks. Dad). In the end, I laid there for a good half hour. Finally, my body couldn't take being in bed anymore.

I pushed back the covers to my legs, and folded it over James so he would be none-the-wiser. My feet slipped into my pink bunny slippers my Nana sent through the mail for Christmas. Little whisps of hair mirrored my face.

Quietly, I opened the door and snuck out into the hallway. We had a small hallway that lead into the living room. I crossed the hallway and sauntered into the living room. Nobody seemed to be awake.

I picked up my highly-esteemed and grown-up book and flopped back onto the sofa. I flipped through the pages of Green Eggs and Ham by Doctor Suess.
By the time I got lost in the world of Sam-I-Am, my mother stumbled out of the guest room.

Yeah, that's another thing. Ever since Daddy told me about her drug problem, it's like they have fallen apart. It's a constant whirlwind of yelling, glares, and worse. She was shaking in her nightgown and held her sides. I don't remember ever seeing her like this.

"M-morning honey." She greeted shakily. "W-when did you wake up?"

"Just a little bit ago." I murmured. My full attention going back to my book. I kinda jumped when my mom set her hand on my knee. I glanced up at her confused.

"I - uh - need to talk to you about something." She said. She must've noticed the confused look on my face.

"Oh, alright."

---

"So what exactly do we need to talk about?"

"I feel we need to discuss everything that's been happening." Mom explained. Her face was unusually pale and she appeared to be nervous. I get that this family hasn't been normal for awhile but this is just odd.

"What about it?"

"Aurora, things have not been okay for awhile. Your dad - he - I think he is trying to break up this family."

"Mom, what are you talking about?" My Mouth dropped. "He told me you've been doing drugs or whatever. How is that daddy's fault?"

"You're a child, dear." Mom's voice grew monotoned. "I don't think you'd understand the intricacies of a marriage."

"I would if you guys explained it to me! You're both out here acting all secretive and telling me weird things. If I'm such a child, why would you tell me all this?!" I raised my voice. My face felt hot and my heart felt like it was pounding in my chest. "It's like... you won't tell the hard stuff because I'm a kid. But you tell me all these weird things that I don't know what to do with."

"Now that's not fair, Aurora." Mom snapped. Her hand shakily finding her lap. "Grown-ups just have... problems they need to deal with."

"No, I think grown-ups don't know what they are talking about. And they really need to learn from kids about honesty." And with that, I took my book and stomped off towards the backyard. Anything to get away from my mom and her excuses.

-

Oh boy, things are getting intense.