He Changed Me

Chapter 9: Take Me To Her

"Uno." I say in the most tired, annoyed, and frustrated voice of my life because Dad dragged me out of the comfort of my room for me to have some family with him, his wife, and his sons.

Christian puts down a card, then Treyton, then Dad, the Jordyn, then Memphis puts down a draw 4 just before I can get out of the game and do my own thing.

"You're annoying as hell." I say and hit his head and pick up four cards.

"Go on." I say to Christian, and they continue the game.

"At least try to look like you're having fun." Treyton says and to me.

"Leave me alone, Traitor." I say.

"It's Treyton." He says.

"I know." I say, and they laugh at him.

"Okay, now. Brooks, it's your turn." Dad says, and I put the switcheroo card, and then it's Memphis's turn again.

We keep going in that circle until it's my turn, and I put a draw 4 down for Memphis.

"Yeah. Because you like acting smart with me, little boy." I say as he picks up the cards.

After a few minutes of playing the game, I finally make it out and leave Dad and Christian to play on their own.

"Well, that was fun. See you all never." I say and turn around and attempt to leave the living room before he stops me.

"Actually. Hold it. I wanted to talk to you guys about something." Dad says, and I sigh and groan and then turn around and walk back into the living room.

I sit down on the couch, and then Treyton sits next to me.

"So, as you all know, it's that time of year. If not, then I should remind you. Jade's birthday is coming soon. Next week, Thurday, actually." He says, and my eyes go wide.

"Oh, yeah. Jade's birthday." Christian says, and Dad nods.

"Yeah. So, since Brooks has never done this with us, who would like to explain to her?" Dad asks.

"Brooks." Jordyn says, and I give her my attention.

"Every year on Jade's birthday, we all take three days off to go to her grave and celebrate her birthday with her. It's very special. There's a road trip, and then we get to reconnect with your sister and just take a moment to show our respect for her and that we'll never forget her." She says.

"What do you mean by remember her because you haven't even met her ever. None of you here knew her besides Dad and I." I say to her.

"I knew Jade. Yes, Jade and I never met, but she lives in my hea-"

"Don't say that when you barely even knew her. You know nothing about her besides her name and that she's your husband's child." I say to her.

"Brooks, she's just showing her-"

"Dad, why are you allowing this? None of them knew Jade, and yet you bring them to her grave to have family time. These people are nothing to her." I say.

"These people are family to her." He says, getting upset.

Good, because I'm getting just as mad.

"Family isn't random people that you're just related to. The reason why I hate family time and being here in general is because I'm in a house with people I've never known, never heard of, and never had a relationship with." I say.

"I am trying to make us a family!" He shouts.

"Well, forcing me to do things that I don't want to do is not helping at all! Every time you say family time, it irritates me! Annoys me! And hurts me because you keep saying that they're getting to know me more, but every time when we're supposed to get to know each other, I'm not included in the conversation!" I say, and he tenses his jaw.