Maeve's one fleeting high

1. Dinner with family pt. 2

That leads me to the present. This is the second gap year I'm taking. Am I allowed to still call it a gap year though? I haven't been able to achieve anything besides nice savings. I also quit therapy because there was no sign of progress. I still work at the cinema as a cashier but only two and a half days a week now. At one point work had started to become overbearing. My boss, who was aware of my situation, advised me to take it easy since they were not in shortage of staff and cut off some of my days.

As I add the last bill to the new pile, I hear my name being called from downstairs. Assuming dinner is ready, I quickly put everything back in the box and secure the lid on top. I place it back in the drawer and make sure it's well covered with socks. 

I do my own laundry so the chances of someone snooping in my closet are almost nonexistent. My sister doesn't like my clothes either so no worry about her going anywhere near it.

Once I made sure I put everything away, I make my way downstairs. Yesterday I ate dinner in my room so tonight I have to show my face. It's an agreement I made with myself to ensure I don't worry my family too much. I turn around the corner and find my dad, Kai and his girlfriend, Lemon, casually sitting on the couch and talking.

When my dad and I make contact, he hoists himself up and greets me with an embrace. He pecks my crown and caresses my back. He smells of the aftershave he's been using since forever. It's one of my favorite scents along with the smell of freshly baked apple pie. Both remind me of home.

''It's good of you to join us tonight. You know you can always leave whenever it gets too much,'' he whispers so only I can hear. I lift my arms and return the hug. I'm not an affectionate person by nature but with dad I somewhat can be. I let out a muffled hum to affirm his proposal, which he tends to repeat every time I decide to participate.

He distances himself from the hug but keeps his hands on my shoulders. He spares me a warm smile before averting his eyes to Lemon and Kai behind me. ''Well, I'd say let's gather around and have a lovely dinner.''

My eyes longingly linger on dad as he gets comfortable in his seat. Every time he lowers himself on any surface, his knees produce a loud crunching sound after which he always mutters 'it's about the spirit'. There's something endearing about this habit of his. I love my family and I couldn't wish for better people.

But dad is someone I feel like understands me the most and I think it's got to do with the fact that he himself had depression a few years back when he lost his mother. He's all good now but it wasn't easy to return to his old self again. One day I hope to be like him. Strong, motivated, unbothered and happy.

''Hello eye bags, seen my sister anywhere?'' Kai mocks from besides me. Rolling my eyes at his choice of greeting, I face him and give him a look that screams 'really?'. I usually opt for raising one eyebrow but this one deserves two. 

He chuckles at my unbothered reaction but quickly turns serious and darts a glance at Lemon behind us.

''Lemon, quick, call 911. She raised two eyebrows. This is not a drill,'' he stammers, cautiously taking steps back. Lemon playfully slaps his shoulder and pushes him towards the dinner table instead.

''I will call them and ask them to arrest you for that lame attempt at cracking a joke, loser.'' 

Even though she insulted him, I could not hear one ounce of irritation or disdain in her voice. Just adoration and love.

They've been together for a bit longer than a year. They met in college when Kai was a junior and she a freshman. They describe their first encounter as love at first sight. I'm happy they found each other. My brother adores her and always brags about her good heart and how smart and funny she is. Soon after they'd made it official, Lemon started coming over more and more and now she's considered family. Their college is only a short car ride away so most days they're home with us.