The Oh So Mind Boggling Tales of Ms. Sarcasm and Sherlock

Chapter Five

After learning about his adoration for reading and that he loves the smell of roses, we chatted for a while until my phone buzzed with a text from my brother. He was texting me our flight details for a week from today. We’d be heading to California, where my grandmother lived, at six in the morning on April 16th. I sadly noticed the little 8:27 on my phone screen, reminding me that time still existed and that it was getting dark.

“Hey Bro, I’ve got to head home. Sorry, I’d love to stay for longer, but I have some stuff at home that I have to sort out. Facebook me though, you know my name…” I said while trying to literally swallow my nerves; it isn’t quite possible. Home. The word felt so foreign to me. Chills travelled down my spine just thinking about how bad it would be.

“Do you want me to give you a ride home or walk you there?” He offered kindly with a worried smile on his face, almost as if he could sense my fear.

“No. Thanks for the offer. Maybe next time, though.” Trying to be polite, it came out in a sickly sweet voice that was most definitely not mine. Catching on to the falseness, he quirked an eyebrow; to avoid any questioning, I jerk my head towards the door, shooting him a thankful and friendly glance before walking off.

As I left, I felt a guilty pang. Was that rude? Especially after all he had done for me? Regret would be how most people would describe the feeling I had, but I never regret. No; not in a condescending or cold-hearted way. If you did something in the first place, you did it because that was exactly what you wanted at the time. If anything, do the best you can, and learn from it and become a better person. You can turn any situation good or bad with how you choose to look at it, and if it was initially bad by your fault, then it’s your responsibility to fix that. Guilt is what makes you think about, so that you can learn from it.

Brushing the feeling off, I pushed my headphones in, pressed play and took off. As I neared Willowberry Lane, I thought of how lovely it would be if I were a slower runner. I had arrived too soon for my liking. Hopping over the white picket fence separating my lawn from my backyard, I headed for my save haven.

Carefully making sure that I didn’t slip on the rain-slicked branches, I travelled further up the large evergreen. My climbing came to a pause as I saw the shadow of a large figure. I’m way too predictable… I thought with a grimace.

Figuring that it was better than going to the house, I joined him. I let the tears held so tightly in my eyes flow silently onto his shoulder as he held me tightly. His embrace was both reassuring and also frightening; it meant that he was in bad enough to need someone to hold on to, someone to depend upon. We sat like that in a comfortable silence for what seemed like ages. Before I knew it, the stars were up and my eyelids had set with the sun as his conscious arms held me safe. He’s the only one I can trust, he’s the only one who’s always there for me. He knew how to help me. He knows what it’s like. With that, all other thoughts flew away, into the night sky.

I woke up to a nearby rustle. Startled, I blinked the sunlight out of my eyes until I felt a rough, hard something under me. Looking down, I saw clusters of branches and realization filled me. I trained me eyes on my brother, and saw him with my iPod taken hostage. He was listening to his own selection of music, awake throughout the night, also making sure that I wouldn’t tumble in my unconscious state. I returned his hug and gave him a quick peck on his shoulder as my way of thanking him before plucking an ear bud out and replacing it in my ear.

Before long, I noticed the rope on the little dumbwaiter that my dad and I made moving. We put it up so that he could pass me notes and other things while U was up here without intruding or interrupting. It was kind of like I could see what it was if I wanted, or save it for later, or even just ignore it, but this way he could still talk to me in our own way. As the rope came to a halt, I crawled out of my brother’s embrace and to the little basket attached to the rope. Sitting inside it, enveloped in a cloth napkin was what I guessed to be our breakfast.

Carefully removing the bundle, making sure not to let anything drop, I let the basket back down and returned to my place, perched upon my favorite branch. Once I had settled back into my little nook, I traced my fingers over the neatly carved Strength, etched into the side of my branch, while smiling to myself. Unwrapping my breakfast burrito, I found some blueberry pancakes, a small glass pot of my favorite homemade raspberry sauce, and an old Snapple bottle filled with orange juice. I sent a silent word of gratitude to my parents and handed the juice over as I started on my carbs.

Sharing a content smile, we swapped. Gulping down the cold, refreshing remains of drink, I capped the bottle and wipe the few stray, naughty droplets off my lips with the back of my hand with a content moan. My moment of peace was shattered as I realized it was time to go back to life and stop trying to run.

I can keep running and hiding, but reality will eventually meet up with me.

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Hey, sorry for the delay, but my editor and I have had a really hectic two weeks, and some major miscommunications. In the end, it worked out, and you should have another update around Monday, like it should be. I hope the quality makes up for the lateness.