Love In Colour

CHAPTER THIRTY ONE: SIBLING BONDS & CHILDHOOD PETS

I used to think that my life was some cosmic joke that the universe was laughing at, because I could not catch a break. It was always one thing after the other. Being an adult and finally feeling like I can have some control over my life and what happens to me is all I have. The one thing that would not go awry because I am the captain of this ship, and I am steering it the way I please.

Somehow, the universe found a way to screw that up as well, because now, I am about to meet up with my siblings.

My siblings.

Siblings.

The word brings a weird taste in my mouth.

A laugh bubbles out of me as I sit in my car, afraid to leave its safety. I stare at the cafe's door like it holds all the answers to the questions I have circling around my head like hungry vultures.

Nothing bad is going to happen, I'm just going to have coffee with my siblings, who I didn't even know existed until two months ago. Geez... has it been two months already? I feel like I've aged a few years since that day I saw her.

I eventually exit the vehicle and walk towards the cafe entrance. The smell of coffee, hot chocolate and danishes envelopes me the moment I walk in.

My eyes search the space for the familiar faces of Lwandle and Zoe; I spot them sitting on a couch by the window. Zoe's leg is in a cast and elevated on a cushion. As a nurse, I'm happy to see that she's taking care of that injury. So many people think they know better than healthcare practitioners.

Seriously, though, I remember a time when one patient had to get another cast on their leg because they decided to get rid of the one they had, all so they could attend a party and didn't want to ruin the vibe by going with a cast and crutches.

Sigh...

Their smiles blind me when I reach them. Lwandle stands, and for a moment, he seems unsure of what to do, so he settles for a fist bump. I do the same with Zoe, then take a seat on the couch across from theirs. Grateful for the table between us because I need the small space to anchor me.

"Uh, Hi." Zoe breaks the silence.

A shadow of a smile tugs at my lips, "Hey."

Lwandle chuckles, "Didn't think the vibe would be this awkward."

That prompts Zoe and me to laugh. This is good, laughing at ourselves is one way to get rid of the tension that we're all feeling.

This is foreign ground for all of us, and we need to navigate it in a way that won't go south.

A waitress comes over to take our drink orders. Thankful for the distraction, I send a quick text to Gray.

Me: I'm scared.

This entire situation scares me. Everything from meeting my birth mother to being here at this coffee shop with my newly-found siblings. I'm scared out of my mind, and I am hoping that I have enough strength in me to see all of this through.

My phone pings with a response from my boyfriend.

Gray: I know, baby. You've got this. I'm sending you all the strength you need. Xo

A sense of calmness washes over me at his words. He's right. Even though I may be scared, I can do this. I've been through way worse things in life, and this conversation isn't about to be the first thing to defeat me.

"How's the leg?" I gesture toward Zoe's leg. It's adorned in unicorn stickers and a few scribbles –probably from her friends.

She smiles, "Better, I just can't stand the itchiness."