One Stupid Thing

1:6:19

Luckily, John B was cleared to go home later than day. Home now being Tannyhill. The Pogues had dropped off his belongings, but didn't stay for long. I could tell that they weren't too thrilled about John B's new crib.

Now, Sarah and I are anxiously waiting the arrival of our new family member. Ward and John B would pull into the driveway any minute now. Sarah can hardly contain her excitement. She is fidgeting beside me on the front porch.

"Look! They're here!" Sarah exclaims. She points to a sleek convertible driving onto the property. She skips down the front steps to greet them. I follow shortly behind.

Ward pulls the car up beside us and John B steps out. The Pogue just barely grabs his bag before Sarah takes his hand in hers.

"Welcome home, Sancho." My sister says playfully and she hurries him inside. I exhale dramatically before following behind them.

Sarah immediately went down the west wing to our guest bedroom. Only a few doors down from mine, this room is designated for John B. Instead of joining the couple, I walk past to my room at the end of the hall.

As I am sitting at my vanity, touching up my makeup and fixing my hair, Sarah walks in and flops down on my bed.

"Do you think Daddy is genuinely happy to have John B here? I can't tell if he is or if he just feels obligated," she sighs.

I walk over and lay next to her. "I'm not sure either. Rafe isn't going to be happy about this though. John B might have to lock his door at night so he doesn't come and smother him with a pillow," I joke.

Sarah playfully slaps me on the arm. "Not funny!"

Suddenly, out of the corner of my eye, John B appears in the doorway, his backpack slung over his shoulder. Sarah and I sit up on my bed.

"Oh, hey, John B. What's up?" I ask him.

"I was just about to head out. I need to meet the others and figure out this map." He leans against the door frame and looks down awkwardly.

"Oh, okay." I say. Sarah and I get up and walk over to him.

"Oh, um, I think it's best if I just go... alone. It's nothing against you guys, but it's just...."

"Kiara," Sarah completes his sentence flatly. She crosses her arms and glares into the oblivion.

"I'm sorry. I promise we will work things out with her, okay?" Sarah doesn't budge. He leans in and kisses her cheek before heading out.

I look over at Sarah with sympathy. "Hey." I place a comforting hand on her shoulder. "You guys will figure things out. It'll be okay."

She looks over at me and drops her arms to her sides. Her expression softens. "Thank you. C'mon, Dad wants us to put together a list of things we need from the store."

We grab a piece of paper and pencils before settling down in the sun room. On the opposite side of the house, the same wing as the master suite, sits the sun room. It is beautifully lit with large windows spanning across the entire room. A smaller table along with a small bookshelf and a few comfy chairs are all that inhabit it. I prefer this room to read in over many others. It doesn't feel like I'm stuck in a mansion when I'm in it.

Sarah and I take a seat at the end of the table and begin compiling a list. While I am writing something down, the tip of my pencil lead breaks off.

"Ugh," I groan. "Be right back." I walk out to the hallway and grab a new pencil from the junk drawer, but when I return I don't just hear Sarah's voice, but another's.

"He lost his balance and fell," a guy's voice starts.

"Don't you lie to me," Sarah spits.

"He fell against the rail. It wasn't my fault," he explains. I knew from the conversation that it is Topper. My skin crawls with discomfort. I step back around the corner to listen.