Keeping Secrets

Chapter Twenty-Five Kira's Pages

"Love can be the reason you're afraid to have it."

I woke up feeling like I had traveled back in time. I was staying in my old room that hadn't changed since high school. The pictures and posters were still on the walls so were the books I loved collecting. Everything was exactly how I had left it. I knew that my mom had it cleaned every day along with the rest of the house. I also knew that no one had stayed in this room but me.

I pushed the covers off me, got up, and made my way to the bathroom, my clothes coming off along the way. I turned the shower on and got in, loving the even pressure of the water. I stood there for a while thinking about how simple life is here, the water beating gently on my back. Despite my parent's demanding jobs with Marcus as a corporate lawyer and my mother as a pediatrician they always managed to make time for David and me when we were younger. Family was always more important to them than anything else.

I couldn't begin to describe how I felt being with them again but I decided to settle on content and overjoyed. I washed myself and got out. Just as I was slipping on my shirt I heard my bedroom door being pushed open slowly. I stood still and waited for the familiar voice I loved hearing in the mornings. "Kira!" I turned around quickly and knelt down just in time for David to run into my arms. "Little amigo, what are you doing up so early?" I said hugging him before placing him down on the bed where I joined him. "Daddy said I must come call you for breakfast." "Then I shall be down in a minute," I said watching as David ran his little hand through Spencer's fur.

He smiled then got up and ran out of the room. He had so much energy that it was hard to keep up and stay on his level. David and I were half-siblings, the same mother though Marcus was David's father. My mother and Marcus were friends since high school and remained friends even when my mom got together with my father. Their relationship never got the chance to last long. A few months after I was born my dad died of a drug overdose. Marcus always remained by my mom's side through it all and eventually they got married. I couldn't be happier with the outcome.

I got up off the bed, fixed the covers, and made my way down to the kitchen. I heard laughter before I even walked in, the smell of French toast and pancakes made my stomach rumble. "Good morning my dear." My mother greeted me as I walked in. "Hola ma, pa. I take it everyone is good this morning?" I asked taking a seat at the breakfast table. "Kira darling." Marcus greeted moving away from the counter and planting a soft kiss on my forehead like he always used to do when I was younger before I left and my life changed drastically. The simple gesture was a comforting reminder that I was loved still.

"God breakfast smells amazing," I said just as Marcus placed three plates loaded with food on the table. "Dig in." He said as he sat down. We all gladly did as he told us. I watched as David loaded his plate with pancakes and bacon just like his dad did. My mother and I on the other hand preferred to stay away from anything that was not chicken or fish and loaded our plates with French toast. I poured myself coffee and dug into the food that practically had me drooling.

Breakfast was mostly eaten in silence except for the occasional questions David asked. He was one of the smartest kids I knew, talented too despite him being ADHD. He played piano better than most people I knew and always beat my ass in chess. I had a love for art and David's love was music if he was not being the brightest in his class. My parents always encouraged and supported both of us in everything, with David especially.

I cleared the table once everyone had had their fill, washing and drying the dishes as Marcus packed them away. "Kira? Honey?" "Yes, ma?" "Can you run to the store and pick up a few things for me? I will make you a list. It's just a few things for lunch and the house that I forgot to get." "Sure thing ma. I'll go right after this." "Thank you so much el carino." "Not a problem," I said smiling and kissing her cheek before returning to the task at hand.