Whiskey & Vows

T H I R T Y

T H I R T Y || SEMI-CHARMED LIFE

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Joel appeared at my door two days later. My first instinct was to slam the door, but I had to keep in mind that he didn't do anything to me; he had no idea what his father did or any knowledge of my existence. Still in a pair of baggy shorts and Derek's t-shirt, I let him inside. Glancing outside, I saw the sun had barely risen.

What time is it?

"I brought you both coffee." He chimed as he made his way inside. Grunting, I closed the door, yawning as he walked inside, as if he's lived here his whole life. I watched as he set a box of donuts on the counter along with a tray of coffee. Slipping an apple juice in the fridge for Andy, he smiled brightly at us. Derek ran his hand over his face and narrowed his eyes at the chipper Joel.

"Dude."

"It's eight-thirty; aren't you up earlier?" Joel grinned. Derek looked between us, grabbing a cup from the tray.

"Jesus, it's too early to see the similarities between you two." Glaring, I smiled tightly at Joel.

"Not to be rude, but what are you doing here?" Joel seemed to find that funny, and handed me a cup of coffee.

"As of yesterday I got placed for my residency at the local hospital here." He stated, pleased with his accomplishments. Scowling, I glared at him.

"Aren't you from California?"

"Let's just say things are a little different now." He answered vaguely. That wasn't what I was hoping for.

"You're moving here why?"

"For one, I got an awesome internship. Dad was at the hospital and they gave me something too good to pass up." I pressed my lips together, afraid of spilling my thoughts again.

"Couldn't you get something in California?" I muttered, opening the box of donuts. Inhaling the sweet sugar, I sheepishly glanced at Derek. Shaking his head, he reached in the fridge for some yogurt. Shrugging, I took a chocolate donut.

"Possibly, but because of how good Dad is they'd want me to follow in his steps."

"Aren't you?" I asked dryly.

"Not entirely." He smiled. "I also came here to talk about him."

"I don't want to." I huffed.

"I'm sorry you grew up the way you did." He said softly. "It's not fair what he did to you. I feel guilty that I grew up the way I did and you had nothing. It's his fault and it's not right that I feel the guilt." Glaring, I tensed.

"You're not hanging around here because you feel sorry for me. If that's the case you can leave."

"Too early." Derek groaned in between bites of his yogurt.

"Look," Joel sighed. "All things aside, I want to get to know you. All my life I wanted a sibling and instead I got a fish." He grunted in annoyance. "I know you have some bitterness towards my mom and I; that's understandable. Now I have a sister I never knew I had and life is different. I things would have been different; we would have known each other growing up. You wouldn't have grown up without a dad, I would have grown up with a sibling; there's a lot to take in." Listening to him, I started to feel extremely guilty for the way I acted.

Casting my bitterness toward Joel or Sarah didn't do anything for me; they were merely pawns in my father's game. Swallowing the donut, I started to sympathize with Joel. We grew up without knowing each other existed. Understanding, I huffed.