Rachel Shore's Answers

15: Rye

Morning came earlier than I wanted it to. I heard my door open and felt someone looking at me.

"Good morning" I mumbled then turned to see who it was.

Charlie stood there awkwardly.

"I'm glad you're awake. We made you breakfast." He said.

"Thanks." I took a slow deep breath and yawned, stretching my tired limbs. "I'll be out in a bit"

He closed the door and the smell of breakfast was my motivation to climb out of bed. I was tired and didn't want to move. I sat up and put my slippers on. I don't care if they see me in my unrefined morning look. I'm too tired to care. I sat down at the table grateful that I didn't have to cook. Chris sat down with two plates. He put one in front of his seat and the other in front of me.

"There you are Rye. I made you an egg sandwich with rye toast. Absolutely disgusting." Chris said handing me a plate.

Startled I looked at his face. Why did he use my brother's nickname for me? How did he know it? He had oops written all over his face. For the first time since we met I looked closely at his eyes. In that moment I noticed that his eyes weren't just brown they were brown and hazel mixed together. He has heterochromia.

My mouth dropped open. "How do you know that nickname and my favorite bread?"

Charlie and Timothy both looked confused. They didn't know what was happening.

"Well, um, Will talked about you a lot." He said.

I glanced at Charlie and he was giving Chris a look that said watch your words. In that moment I knew Chris was Will. There was no other explanation. I looked at him again. I can't believe I didn't see it. His hair is so much darker than it used to be. He was a chubby little guy and now he is a full grown man who can easily defend himself.

I looked back and forth between them for a while before I decided not to push it. I pretended to believe them. I secretly hoped that he would open up and tell me the truth.

I want to tell him that I know the truth. I want to wrap him in my arms rejoicing that I have my brother back. That moment didn't come because out of my mouth came "That makes sense" just to make it more believable I added "He did talk a lot about people he loves."

I caught his eye again and tried to read his face. He looked relieved and guilty at the same time. If that's even possible.  Charlie caught his eye and they had a mini gesture conversation. I was able to.read this one though. Charlie wanted to talk to Will alone.

They left the room together and I sat with several questions that couldn't be answered. I again heard loud voices and chose to give them privacy by not listening.

"What just happened?" Timothy asked.

"I'm not really sure." I said as if in a daze.

"Charlie didn't look too happy"

Wait, is Charlie his real name? The thought just popped into my head unbidden.

"Yeah." I really felt out of sorts. Why won't he admit who he is. Does he not want me as a sister anymore?

There was silence for a few minutes as I sat there trying to process it all. I have my brother back, but he doesn't want me back. Is he mad at me for not rescuing him? There was no possible way that I could have though.

"Are you ok?" Timothy asked looking at me with concern.

I jumped. I was way too absorbed in my thoughts. "Yeah, yeah. I'm good."

"Why did you react so strongly when he called you Rye?"

"Will is the only person who has ever called me that." I laughed a little "It sounds nothing like my name." I changed my voice to sound like a little boy as I added "But your name starts with an r and has an e somewhere near the end of it." I smiled at the memory.