Pets

Delicate Balance (Marek)

A little later I stood at the door to my room for a while listening before I went in. Just in case I heard a snarling beast inside the room. I heard the tv and murmuring. I open the door and both girls look surprised to see me. They are laying in my bed with their arms wrapped around each other. They both look a little guilty at first then they both glare at me. Neither say anything and continue watching their show.

I can handle being ignored. I change my clothes. I came back out and there was a knock on the door. Before getting home I sent a message to have wine (a couple bottles) and a cheese and fruit plate sent to my room. I went over and poured a glass of wine for myself. Hair of the dog that bit me last night might be the only thing to make this headache leave.

After sitting there and getting halfway through my first glass I realized something. I lied, I am not good with being ignored. It is bothering the shit out of me.

"I guess I am getting the silent treatment?" The way they both turned their heads to me at the same time, and the glare they gave me was unnerving. Charlie sighed and sat up cross legged.

"You need to decide what kind of relationship you want with us." I chose the wrong time to take a drink, and started to choke. I saw Lily flinch at the words that just came out of Charlie's mouth.

"(cough) What? (cough) relationship?" Charlie looked down at her hands and I could see that her feelings were hurt. Which is not my problem.

"Maybe relation shit is the wrong word Charlie?" Lily says trying to smooth things over. I don't know if she was trying to help me or Charlie.

"I don't know...I just don't understand this." She spread her hands out referring to all of us in the room. "We seemed to be getting close, and we even flirted quite a bit. Then after the beach you took off, and acted like you could care less about us. You sent us to your room and left with two other women. You didn't come back... we didn't know if you got hurt...When you came back you treated us like shit. You were completely wasted." I started to laugh. I tried not to but it just happened. Lily glared at me, her eyes turned almost black, and Charlie had started to sniffle.

"Look...Hey...don't cry. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt your feelings." Charlie burst into sobs. I sat down next to her and moved her hair away from her face.

"The two women are my Aunt and Cousin, Charlie. I was up all night talking to them and Havel." Her eyes were big and still flooded with tears. She sniffed again.

"I am sorry I was an asshole when I got back. It's not a good excuse, but I was tired and drunk. I also received a text from my mother and father." She nodded and took a deep shaky breath.

"I tried not to get upset, and I was frustrated. I just want to be normal again. I want to have normal feelings, and normal relationships with people. I just can't figure out what or how to do it." Charlie sobs out while crying. I pulled her close to hold her, and she let me.

"Charlie, no one expects you to be able to just forget all that happened. Things will be hard, but we can figure it out as we go. I am going to take care of you, and Lily." Lily kneeled next to me and Charlie. She rubbed Charlie's back. Then looked at me and smiled. She had tear tracks running down her face too. I wrapped one of my arms around Lily and brought her into the hug too. She made a squeak noise and Charlie started giggling.

"I just want you two to know this is the first time I have been able to successfully get girls to stop crying. I am feeling rather accomplished right now." I announced. If I am honest if any other girls had started crying I would have just walked away. I have done that before, but these two are different.

My phone vibrated in my pocket. Charlie sat up letting me look at my phone. It was a picture of Maaria wearing a dress that was way too short with an excited smile.