Shadows

Six

I hadn't slept all night. There were too many thoughts running through my head at once about everything dealing with my family. I had siblings? I had nieces and nephews? It didn't seem real. I don't remember them from my childhood but apparently they were older. Except for a brother that was just two weeks younger than me. It was obvious that we were half siblings. I hadn't told Divinity everything I had learned, but I wanted her to see it for herself. I rubbed the back of my neck as I was sitting at the end of our bed and I turned to see her sleeping. I was up all night writing music just to maybe tire myself out, but no. I looked at the alarm clock and it was almost six in the morning and time to go. I slowly moved towards Divinity and gently rubbed up and down her side. "Baby, wake up." I whispered. She raised her hand up I felt it on the side of my neck and she pulled herself closer to me. "Can you put some coffee on and grab the clothes from the dryer?" She asked. "Mmhmm." I said before giving her a kiss between her eyes. I got out of bed and slowly walked to the laundry room as I didn't want to wake up Andre and Matt.

I turned the coffee pot on before grabbing her clothes from the dryer and I decided to shower and get dressed while she was waking up. When I was done showering, I walked into our bedroom before taking the towel off my waist and she was sipping her coffee and looking at me. "Hmm. Good morning." She said with a playful grin. I smirked before I started to get dressed in jeans and a turtle neck. "It's not that cold today, but it's also not warm either. So maybe a sweater is good." I sat on the end of our bed to get my socks and sneakers on as I don't think wearing heels around new family would be a good idea. Divinity stood from our bed to take a shower. I decided to lay her clothes out for her to make it easier as I knew she wasn't used to waking up this early.

When she was finished showering, she dropped her towel as soon as she walked in and she was getting dressed. "Are you nervous?" Divinity asked. "Absolutely." I admitted. I sat on the bed. "I feel bad I sort of forgot about Aunt Judy after I moved out. So many things have happened since I was eighteen." Divinity pulled her jeans on. "She knew you were making it on your own." I shook my head a little. "What if my siblings don't like me? I mean, I'm only meeting one of them. I don't know if I'll meet the rest. Do you think they're like me?" I asked her. Divinity gently stroked my damp curls. "No." She said honestly. "But...I'm just glad you have some family. Especially a brother so close in age." She sat next to me to get her socks and shoes on. "I hope we get along. Duane and I are only half brothers...but he's a brother nonetheless." Divinity smiled. "I do wonder if he looks like you." I laughed a little. "I guess we'll find out."

We left the apartment and walked downstairs to my bike and Divinity hopped on after I did. She kissed my cheek as I was about to turn the key. "Whatever happens, I'm here for you." She said in my ear. I smiled before starting the motorcycle up and we sped off. I remember Aunt Ruby living outside of the city in the country, but as soon as we got out of our town I knew where to go. It's like all the memories were coming back. She taught me how to drive down this road so many years ago. Divinity held me tight as we were riding down a hill and I realized we were surrounded by trees. It was just like being back home. "We shouldn't be that far away from it now." I said loudly. I don't remember too much about what the house looked like, but I knew it was in the middle of nowhere. Off by itself. Almost like Aunt Ruby wanted me to stay from society or something.

"I think that's it!" Divinity yelled over the engine. We turned onto a road that had a house exactly how I imagined it looked like or from what I could remember. A two story house that was definitely older and only had two vehicles outside. One I assumed was Aunt Ruby's and the other I assumed to be my brother's. We pulled onto the little dirt road that was their driveway before I killed the engine and we got off of my bike. "Hmm. Very green up here. Reminds me of the farm parts of Minnesota." Divinity said. I was scared to walk up to the house alone and wanted Divinity to lead the way, but that wasn't right. Although Aunt Ruby invited us, I didn't know how well this would go. Divinity took my hand. "C'mon. I'm right here with you." She said.