Let it Be //

Chapter 6

Chapter 6:

I hum softly as I dust. Mindlessly slipping out a song lyric here and there as my mothers old record player sings beautiful music.

I have been cleaning up my fathers mess from last nights get together for about two hours now. That consisted of picking up beer bottles, sweeping up cigarette buds and ashes from the floor, pushing the couch and rugs back into place, doing the dishes, and trying my best to get the smell of alcohol and weed out of the house.

I plop down on the couch, my hair falling in front of my face and sticking to my sweating forehead. Exhausted, I kick my feet onto the coffee table and lay my head back- I deserve a break.

My dad went into work early this morning, and since he's boss, he'll be gone all day. Then, after work, he will probably spend the night at his 'lady friends' house and do God knows what. So, I get today off and most of tomorrow.

I just have to have the house spotless before he gets back or...who knows what he'll do to me this time for disobeying him.

I'm nearly asleep when I'm awoken by the door bell ringing. Alarmed, I hurry to shut off the music to get the door.

My mouth plummets to the floor and my eyes swell with tears at the sight in front of me. But he's so different...grown up.

He wears a loose t-shirt with a red flannel draped along his broad shoulders. He's taller, with slight scruff and darker hair. But I'd recognize those green eyes anywhere.

He's my half-brother.

"Oh my god! Alex!" I damn near knock him over as I jump into his grasp. He firmly squeezing my torso, greeting me warmly.

"Andi, why the hell do you smell like lemons and bleach." He croaks out a laugh.

"Oh, right." I say awkwardly. "I'm sorry. I was just cleaning. Come in."

Alex picks up his large bags with surprised ease, carrying them through the threshold. "I'm sorry it's so sudden, but after all these years of being away, I lost your number and I could never forget this place..."

Alex gazes upon our old home together with pursed lips and smiling eyes. We had so many memories in this place. We grew up here together. Played together, ate dinner together, slept in the same room together. We were best friends. That's until my mom passed about six years ago and Alex moved in with his dad in North Carolina. It's been a long, hard six years without him here.

"Oh, no, don't worry about it. I'm really glad to see you..." I speak softly, more meaning within my words than I'm willing to let Alex onto.

"Great. So you don't mind if I stay a while?" Oh shit. Dad...

"No, of course not." We'll figure that out before he gets back. I smile widely and pull his suitcase behind me as I lead him up stairs. "I'll show you to your old room, which is now, the guest room."

Not that we get many guest...

"Sweet."

I show him to his room which leads us to all other parts of the house, showing him how much things have changed around here since mom died and he moved out. There aren't many pictures on the walls, it's not as homey anymore...

We head back downstairs and Alex takes a seat on the couch, plopping down violently, just as he always has.

"I do have to say, Andi. You're just as OCD as mom when it comes to cleaning." He laughs and looks down sadly.

"I miss her too, Bubby." He looks up, shock upon his face.

"What?" I ask, taking a seat on the end of our sectional.

Tears brim his eyes and he pretends not notice, but I watch him blink them away. "It's just been so long since I've heard that."

"Oh...hey can I get you something to drink?" I ask, trying to dodge anymore teary subjects.

"Water is fine, thank you." Quickly, I snatch a water from the fridge and make my way back to my brother.

"Here you go," I smile, handing the ice cold beverage to my long lost sibling.

"Thanks."

"No problem. So, what brings you back here, exactly?"

"Well, um, my dad passes about a month ago..." He looks sad, still grieving his loss.

"Oh my God. Alex, I am so sorry." Gently, I rest my hand on his arm...I want him to know I will be here for him.

"It's okay...really. I just couldn't handle being around all my relatives that think that making me pies and casseroles is somehow gonna make me feel better." He clears his throat throwing away the conversation topic. "So, where is my step dad at this time of day?"

"Work...and he should be there a while. He normally takes. Detour every Monday night to his co-workers house for the night." I play with the lid to my water and lean back on the couch, relaxing just a bit.

"Ooo la la, pop's gettin some action?! God I miss him! It's been too long! I am so glad to be back here, Andi!" He sighs and falls back against the cushions. "You know after I left this place go live with my real dad, I never really felt like I was at home...but here...I'm home. And it's incredible to be back!"

I laugh at his excitement. His like that little boy again...always so thrilling.

"Let's celebrate! Let's go out tonight! Let's get a drink!"

"Slow down Mr. I'mLegalNow, im only 18- I can't drink."

"Oh, young Grasshopper you have so much to learn! Now, go shower and change into something that doesn't smell like death because we are going out tonight! And you, my friend, are in for a treat!"

"But-"

"No buts! I can already tell what my absence has done for your social life. I mean, you're cleaning? Really? You could be out with friends and do what most girls your age do in this city!"

"You want me to sell drugs and have sex for money?" Alex frowns and pushes me up the stairs as he commands me, "Left, left, left, right, left."

"We are going to have fun tonight, you hear that? FUN! So get ready! Now!"

I don't have time to get a single word in before the bathroom door is being shut in my face and I have no other choice but to wash the smell of cleaning chemicals from my body.

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Sorry it's short but I'm working my way back up to the good stuff. Gotta slow things down a bit from that intense start to this story!

Above is a picture of Alex Pettyfer! (Sp) And he is what I imagined Andi's brother Alex to look like! (:

Enjoy!

-Kaylee