I don't know

23

'Aussie?' Tom called out as he walked into the living room. Austin instantly perked up and toddled over to his father. Tom greeted the boy with open arms as he scooped him up and placed him into his arms.

'Look at my pretty picture!' the boy exclaimed, scrambling down to the ground and shoving his paper into Tom's face, so he could barely see it.

Tom smiled softly and ruffled Austin's hair, 'It's pretty buddy.'

Austin seemed really pleased with that answer, so Tom smiled and turned back to the kitchen where Lucia was sitting down on the table, grading papers.

'You ok?'

'No. No, I am not.' Lucia replied, annoyed and irritated as she typed something in her computer.

'Luce, what's wrong?' Tom asked, sitting down beside his wife, placing his hand on top of hers.

'I'm annoyed Thomas. Archie won't stop bugging me about random things, Austin's in his painter phase and I nearly tripped over a felt tip and I miss Anthony!' She snapped, slamming her pen down onto the table.

Tom said nothing and wrapped his arms around Lucia as she placed her head on his chest.

'I'm sorry. I haven't seen him for the past 4 months.'

'Not your fault.' Tom said as he walked over to the kitchen and looked for a tea bag. He poured in water from the kettle and dipped the bag in. He handed it to Lucia and she smiled at him gratefully, sipping it gently.

Then a knock was heard from the door. Tom patted Lucia's shoulder and walked towards the door and opened the door. He struggled opening the latch for a while but when he finally opened it he froze.It was Anthony.

'Hi.' He said as he looked down at his feet. He obviously would've preferred it if his mum opened the door. Tom stared Anthony up and down, taking it all in. He was home.  

'ANDY!' Austin cried as he ran up to his brother and hugged his legs. Anthony smiled as he picked Austin up and snuggled him close. For a 15-year age gap, this was kinda cute.

'Anthony.' Lucia breathed out as she ran up to him and gave him a bone-crushing hug. 'I've missed you.'

'Me too, mummy.' Anthony murmured as they stood like that before Austin spoke up.

'Mama, you're squishing me.'

Tom laughed as Lucia and Anthony pulled away. He took Austin off Anthony and placed him on his hip. Austin played with his dad's nose, moving it in 4 different directions.

Tom sighed and turned around to the top of stairs where he saw Archie standing there, not looking pleased. Anthony followed his dad's eyes and caught sight of his younger brother.

'Hi, Archie.' he smiled before waving innocently. Archie's eyebrows furrowed as he stared at his older brother, mad.

'You weren't here for my birthday.' he stated, his arms crossed and his mouth in a pout. Anthony slowly walked up the stairs, ditching his suitcase. He crouched in front of him, or well on the stair in front of him.

'I'm sorry.' Anthony said as Archie's eyes pored into his brother's soul. He was a scary six-year-old. 'I'll make it up to you. I'll take you to a movie.'

'ME TOO!' Austin said, not wanting to be left out even though he'd probably fall asleep half way through.

Tom chuckled as he kissed Austin's hair. Archie nodded, hugging Anthony instantly. Anthony turned around, with Archie clinging onto him like a monkey.

Anthony was home. Not for his dad, but he was home. And that's what mattered.

~~~

Austin was painting on the kitchen table. He had pens scattered all over the table so it looked more like a war zone than a place for nice happy family meals. Archie was up in his room, reading frantically and Lucia wasn't home from work yet so Austin decided to do something productive. He had his earbuds in and was listening to an audio book. He groaned as he rubbed out yet another error.

He hated school at the moment. He hated having to go into isolation every morning. He basically sat there doing worksheets and his homework, and he wasn't even allowed to go to the canteen so a teacher -after finding out all of his allergies - brought him food.

He only saw his friends in mentor for 10 minutes before he was dragged off to hell. He still hadn't talked to Lucille yet. He didn't want to.

'Austin, have you done your homework?' Lucia asked, as she stormed into the kitchen, just back from work. She slammed her bag down onto the table, scattering a few of Austin's pens onto the floor.

'Nope. What's the point? It's only 15 minutes after school. And maybe then I'll actually be able to see some of my friends and socialise.' Austin stated, annoyed. He picked up the pens and stuffed them back in his pencil case.

'Austin Lewis, you will stop talking to me like that. It's not my fault you punched a boy in the face.' Lucia said, sternly, glaring daggers at Austin.

Austin huffed as he put his earbuds back in and continued colouring, deciding to keep the attitude for a while. He kept shading in slowly before turning back to his mama.

'Sorry, Mama.' he muttered and Lucia smiled and ruffled his hair.

'Forgiven.' Lucia said, beaming. She loved it when he called her that. Anthony and Archie always called her 'mum' after the age of 4.  Austin was the only one who called her 'mama' and she loved that. She hoped he'd never grow out of it.

'MUM!' Archie called as he ran down the stairs, holding his book up in the air.

'What?' she asked Archie, half annoyed.

'I FINISHED IT!' He cried as he began to celebrate in the hallway. 'The Secret of Crickley Hall! A bit traumatising but I did it!'

'Isn't that the book he's been reading for 6 months?' Austin whispered to his mum and she nodded.

'Brother, I heard that. This book is huge! 720 pages!' Archie said, shoving the book in Austin's face and flipping through all the pages.

'I've read it before you twat. It took me like a week.' Austin replied. 'Anthony gave it to me.'

'ANTHONY'S READ THIS!' Archie screamed, in disbelief.

'Yes he has. Where do you think Cam got his name? David Cameron?'

'So I read this book for no reason? I could've asked you or Anthony about it and I would've never had to touch it in my life?'

'Or me.' Lucia added as Archie's mouth dropped wide open.

'I could've written random facts down and memorised them in a night. You're telling me I spent 6 MONTHS on this!?'

Austin and Lucia nodded at the same time.

Archie stood there in shock. 'Meanies.' he muttered before stomping up the stairs, pouting.

Lucia and Austin exchanged smiles before both of them burst out laughing. Archie James would never, ever touch a book in his life again. Not after that.