All Too Well - Erik Menendez

I'm Suffocating!

Beverly Hills. CA. 1988.

Whispers POV:

It's not long before Kitty comes back outside. Thankfully, she has brought a homemade lemonade, instead of an alcoholic drink that I expected her to bring out. Lyle continues practicing by himself, mostly with this strange tennis ball machine that shoots tennis balls out from the opposite end of the court. That being the most entertaining to watch. Kitty showed little interest in watching Lyle practice, she was much more interested when Erik was playing.

But unfortunately, Erik has not come back out since, and neither has Jose. It feels too similar to the other night when Erik was in his room all day. It's weird how Jose treats him like a little child. He's 17. Dragging him to his room to yell at him seems so inappropriate given his age.

I'd say it's half an hour before Jose resurfaces again, however he doesn't communicate or stay. He simply grabs kitty, points a 'thumbs up' at Lyle and heads back into the house.

Lyle, evidently concerned at where Erik is, looks to me for the answer. However I shrug my shoulders, letting him know I'm just as confused as he is. As well as concerned.

After some time, Lyle takes his hourly break and we opt to spend some time in the living room together. We notice as we walk by that Jose and Kitty are in the kitchen, seemingly in quite good spirits as they laugh about something Kitty presents to him in a magazine.

Lyle and I place ourselves on the couch after closing the living room doors. Our glasses of fresh lemonade on the table. Perhaps now is the best time to bring up the Craig topic? I seriously just can't leave it alone.

"Can I ask you something? It's about Erik." I start. Lyle's attention picks up, nodding his head slightly.

"I spoke to Craig earlier, about Erik. Craig says Erik's confused with his sexuality and that you were lying about what happened that night at the party. Is that true?" Hesitation is spread through my entire sentence. Lyle's eyebrows furrow immediately, his eyes role back and look back at me with anger. Pure anger.

"Craig's a fucking idiot, and a liar. I saw him do it to Erik and saw Erik trying to push him away. He's some dumb jock that only preys on Erik because he knows he can make a fucking victim out of him."He responds. His hands rush through his hair, obviously trying to make any movement to get the emotion out of his body.

"There's some stuff it's best you ask Erik about, because it's his personal business if he chooses to share it. But Erik likes girls, he's just shy. More shy than he's been before. I've been at Princeton for six months and he's more reclusive than ever." He adds, biting on one of his fingers.

I can see the stress and worry Lyle is feeling just by looking at him; those brown eyes are filled with panic for his little brother.

"Why do you think that is?" I inquire further, asking softly, hoping not to cross his boundaries.

Lyle doesn't answer straight away, instead he looks at me, assessing my question before releasing a deep sigh. Please open up to me.

"I don't know. But I know it's something to do with my dad. I want Erik to move in with me; to come Princeton once he graduates."

"Do you think your dad will be okay with that?"

"No, but frankly h-" His response comes to a halt as the double doors to the living room open.

Erik.

His face blotchy, its evident from his pinkish eyes and blushed cheeks that he's been crying. His hair is very messy, and he has a new change of clothes on. Blue jeans and a baby blue sweatshirt now occupy his body. Regardless of his puffy face, he looks extravagant.