What We Are

Was it worth it?

After a quick shower, me and Lindsey went to fetch Lena from her room for breakfast. However, she was not in her room. "Barbara must have brought her down."
"I wish she wouldn't do that sometimes, we can cope ourselves and she's not getting any younger."
"She's just trying to help us out out that's all, don't take it personally." I kissed him.
"I'm hungry." He complained, shaking himself like a toddler having a tantrum. "Will is better behaved than you honestly...Breakfast time for the big baby."
"But I thought I was a big boy?" He massaged my shoulders.
"Uh huh," I placed my hands over his and leaned into him,"But you're a different kind of big." I winked.
We entered the dining room hand in hand and Chris, Christopher, and Mom all looked at us awkwardly. Chris sipped her tea and raised her hand in a wave, though I thought I caught her suppressing a grin. Christopher grunted a "Hi," to me, not looking Lindsey in the eye. My mom continued to feed Lena, but smiled almost sympathetically at us, as if trying to cover other less convenient emotions. "Good morning Tee dee." She'd smiled at Lindsey too, but hadn't extended her greeting to him, which was especially unusual. I replied casually but raised my eyebrows slightly. Lindsey sat between me and Will, who was babbling enthusiastically to him about his new favourite animal- the dove. I sat between Lindsey and Lena, making conversation with Chris while my mom handed Lena's bottle to me. We spoke with ease but her eyes kept flashing between Lindsey and Christopher(who hadn't said a word since we'd sat down). My mom was now silent too. I briefly closed my eyes as Lindsey placed his arm around me and pressed a kiss to my hair, "I'm just going to make some more coffee baby." Chris smiled at us but Christopher scoffed. My mom looked away from him nervously. I was irritated now, though I didn't want to lay in to him while Lena and Will were around. "Christopher go and help Lindsey with the coffee please." I demanded, staring at him blankly, though with steely determination. He was about to protest but I went on,"Now. We wouldn't want him spilling it in front of everyone would we." He carried himself with a slumped back into the kitchen and I followed him a few seconds later. "Oh I just forgot to tell him something," I said hastily, fooling no one, though my mom was still looking into her lap and didn't seem to hear me.
Chris happily took Lena's bottle from me, and asked Will about doves again. The kitchen door closed behind me, I flew at Christopher who was only just making his way over to Lindsey. "What the fuck is wrong with you today Chris?" Lindsey jumped around in surprise, spilling a little of the hot coffee on his white shirt. "Shit it burns," he said loudly. I turned from Christopher, heading to help Lindsey, but cast him a deadly look to let him know this wasn't over. "Being loud again are we Lindsey?" He said snarkily, sneering as I patted a tea towel over Lindsey's chest. "What do you mean by that?" Lindsey responded defensively as I continued to glare at Christopher, grinding my teeth. "You've managed to get along with Lindsey fine these past few weeks, and he's been nothing but gracious to you. Why are you spoiling this? I'm your sister!"
"Yeh well mine and mom's sleeping pills for this trip ran out last night, and you know best about the insomnia in our family!"
"We could've drove you to get some more Chris, why didn't you just ask?" Lindsey said in bemusement. I sighed. "So you're grouchy with us because you're tired?!"
"NO."
"Don't start shouting at me in my own house, I'm a grown woman, and if anyone is being loud right now it's me not Lindsey so why don't you just drop it because we can both get louder, and there are children through that door."
"Oh everyone sure knows how loud you are Stevie, why don't you invest in some thicker walls hey?" Lindsey looked enraged and was about to stand in front of me when we both froze and looked at each other, our eyes popping in fear. Lindsey attempted to straighten things out, "Uh last night...You uh...Hear-"he scratched the back of his neck anxiously.
"Yeh we heard you." Chris looked at his shoes. I was speechless and bright red as I brought the coffee through, Christopher and Lindsey looking shifty in my wake. "Looks great Stevie, and so do you," Chris said as I poured her a drink. "Thanks," I beamed at her, still blushing but eager to brush over recent revelations. Lindsey cleared his throat and I tensed up, surely he wouldn't...

"Barbara, Christine, Christopher, apologies on mine and Stevie's behalf if you heard anything you didn't want to last night."

Oh god no.

My mom was looking at him in acknowledgment. I noticed Chris openly grinning in the corner of my eye as I stared at the coffee pot dumbfounded.
"But I love Stevie and because of that...Well...Sometimes we can get a little carried away." Will clapped and giggled, unaware of the meaning of his father's impromptu speech. "Agh it's ok Lindsey," my mom said shrugging and returning to her normal relaxed attitude.
"Sorry man, it's just...She's my sister you know..." Christopher sighed, unclenching his fists as Lindsey nodded at him as if to say nothing else was needed. Chris said nothing but simply bowed her head appreciatively at me; as I kissed Lindsey's cheek while avoiding eye contact with my family, & wondering what it would be like to have a quiet life!

I think Lindsey thinks it was worth it! ;)