Never Too Late

Chapter Three

Johan got off a bus right at the intersection of a quiet upscale neighborhood and slowly began walking up the street ahead of him while looking at the sticky note in his palm.

He decided that before leaving he wanted to see his family at least once then he would close this chapter of his life forever. As he got closer to the address written down he pulled his hoodie up over his head to obscure his identity because he was only planning on viewing their house from a distance with the hopes of glimpsing someone.

When he finally arrived at his destination he stood across the street and stared in awe. His biological family lived in a two story well maintained house with a huge yard and double parking garage. This was a stark contrast to the middle class partially rundown houses he stayed at that were often overcrowded or had little space.

Looking around he noticed that no lights were on and no cars were in the driveway. Realizing that nobody was home he approached the house but stopped in the garden when he realized how suspicious what he was doing looked. If a resident saw him, they would call the police and have him arrested. Deeply regretting his decision he started walking away when he saw the light come on in the window  nearest to him. Moving closer, he saw from a space between the curtains a teenage girl, a few years younger than him walk down the stairs in night clothes. She yawned and stretched before looking up at a clock on the wall and shrugging.

Johan realized this must've been his sister and unconsciously smiled at how nonchalant and sweet she seemed. He thought he would feel resentment towards her but her warm pretty face had a childlike innocence made him sympathetic to her. Stepping away from the window, he accidentally knocked over a flower pot, shattering it loudly. Cursing under his breath he tried to conceal himself as the girl came closer to the window and moved the curtains to look outside.

As their eyes met he felt the blood drain from his face and he internally berated himself for being so careless. She on the other hand watched him with confusion and curiosity before disappearing from his view altogether. Using the opportunity, he bolted upright and retreated from the window but before he could make it back to the driveway the front door of the house opened.

"Luke! What are you doing out there!?" The girl asked as she went out to him.

Dumbfounded, he immediately froze as he realized she had mistaken him for his twin brother.

"Come inside, it's getting cold out here." She said dragging him by his arm.

His heart raced as he dreaded being in this situation but it would be much worse if he tried to run away.

"Did you and Dad find the car you were looking for?" His sister continued, "I know it's your birthday but it shouldn't have taken you guys this long."

Ignoring her he walked around the finely furnished home that sported decorative paintings and expensive rugs. He seemed so out of place in this environment in his worn hoodie and rugged shoes.

"Hey, am I crazy or have you gotten a bit taller?" His sister asked as she walked around him and examined him closely. "Wait, what are you wearing and I thought you said you guys would be meeting up with Mom to go to a restaurant?"

Still ignoring her he went to the living room.

"Also, why did you come home alone? Where's Mom and Dad?"  She asked as she followed him for an answer but Johan was too busy looking at the photos on the walls; His father who he greatly resembled, his mother who looked so warm and bubbly and his brother who seemed like an exact copy of him. They all looked so content.

Johan hadn't cared about the nice things in the house or their apparent wealth but he felt a bitter Jealousy when he saw all love they shared that he never received.