One Last Dance

Chapter Two: The First Step to Healing

~The picture is Leo, AKA Davinci~

Lyla stepped out of the taxi at 154 Apple Way Drive into the cool, late afternoon air. She paid the cabbie with what little money she had left before turning to study her new home. 

The wind blew through her rich chocolate hair, teasing it around a soft face. The scent of lilacs and honeysuckle tickled her nose, causing her eyes to close and making her a little lightheaded. She could almost taste the honeysuckle on the tip of her tongue. She opened her emerald eyes, letting them sweep across the house once more, trying to take in every detail.

It was a small Victorian style two story house. If it was anything like the other houses Friar Tuck had in his care, it was probably set up with a kitchen, living room, and laundry room downstairs with a coat closet, and two bedrooms and a bathroom upstairs.

 Lyla looked up at the second story window as a small burst of wind caught the thin white curtains. She wondered if Leo would make it up to her and give that space to her. Being higher up always made her feel more secure, like she was untouchable. It was the reason she had always loved swings, and standing on the monkey bars. 

From the balcony, she could admire the green yard and the neat walkway, lined with purple lilac bushes and honeysuckle trees, which she found herself walking past.

A little white picket fence completed the homey feel. The house itself stood out, being painted a deep purple. Lyla smiled a little at that. Good, she hated fitting in.

Her smile faded as the image Leo crossed her mind. With a sigh, she hiked her bag up on her shoulder and trudged wearily up the walkway. She didn't know quite what to expect, but it certainly wasn't this, this… Brady Bunch family home. Where was the overwhelming smell of booze or the burnt pepper smell of Leo's drugs? 

She hadn't taken more than four steps before the oak front door burst open and Leo, tall and dark, came barreling towards her. She froze in her tracks. Shoulder length black hair flying, he scooped her up into his arms and held on like he would never let her go.

His face buried in her neck and a hand tangled in her hair, he took a minute to take in her scent. She still smelled like cinnamon and popcorn. Lyla did the same, smelling her brother, but she was just checking to make sure he wasn't drunk or using. He smelled like soap and pine, so she slowly relaxed and wrapped her arms around his neck.

It was then that she felt his tears. da Vinci was crying? "Ly-Ly... oh, baby girl, I'm so sorry." He whispered, holding her closer.

Lyla couldn't help it. She clung to her big brother, tears sliding down her cheeks. She hadn't cried since their parents’ funeral, four years ago this November.

They stood like that for a while, neither one of them caring what the neighbors thought, each of them simply glad to finally have the other again.

It wasn't until the smell of something burning reached them that Leo broke away. "Damn it!"

He scooped Lyla up in his arms bridal style and ran into the house.

She squealed as da Vinci burst into the kitchen and set her on her feet, rushing to the stove. Her eyes shut tight and her hands over her face, she waited for the blow.

 Only... nothing. 

She felt the fabric of her long grey sweatshirt sleeves against her face, and she could smell the kitchen... it was oddly wonderful. A mix of barbecue chicken wings fried chicken, peanut butter reeses pieces cookies, and apple crisp. All of her favorites. Her heart beat hard against her chest.