The Cold Ones

Chapter Two - Brothers

The car was dry, and the heater was on high. It was warm and smelt like leather.

‘Is it warm enough?’ Josh asked, looking at me expectantly.

‘Yes, thanks,’ I smiled.

I still couldn’t believe that I, Marney Goldstone, was getting a ride home with Josh Staples.

‘Thanks for calming me down out there. It was rough,’ he said looking on the road, probably shy about what took place in the woods.

‘No problem, I like being there for people. And I know how it feels to lose someone that you loved a lot.’ I said remembering my mother. She passed on when I was in the eighth grade.

‘Your mom,’ Josh said with sympathy in his voice.

‘Yeah,’ I said, feeling a tear wanting to break through. I pushed it away, and thought about Josh again.

‘Thanks for giving me a ride home.’ I said, smiling, looking into my lap.

‘Well, it wouldn’t have been nice of me to let you walk in the rain, now would it?’ he said.

We both laughed.

I looked out through the steamy window at the harsh rain. The roads were already starting to flood. How joyous.

That was the thing about living in Earnest Peaks. Because it was on a mountain, the weather was unpredictable. It could be really hot and summery one minute, and bang the next minute thunderstorms.

We turned up in my driveway.

‘Thanks again for the ride, Josh.’ I said preparing to get out into the storm, pulling my hood up. I came prepared.

‘No sweat, Marney. And, thank you, for you know, helping me. I really appreciate it. I don’t know what I would’ve done if you’d just left me there.’ Josh said looking intently at me.

I smiled at him, and hopped out of the car, closing the door carefully.

I ran onto the porch and opened the door.

I waved goodbye to Josh and walked inside my house to be welcomed by my two brothers, quarrelling.

‘What’s going on?’ I asked opening the fridge.

I haven’t eaten in a really long time, and my tummy was beginning to make noises.

‘Ben ate the last fruitpop, and it was mine.’ Brad, my 15 year old brother said.

‘No, Brad it was mine.’ Ben said looking angry.

Did I forget to mention that I have two brothers, which are twins? No, I’m not part of the escapade. I was born one beautiful year before them. One year of being an only child, and then they came.

I don’t hate them or anything. But it does get annoying having two boys around. Oh wait, make that three. I forgot about my dad. See, things are really difficult in this household, being the only one with a brain.

My dad’s a policeman. The sheriff, actually.

There’s hardly any crime in Earnest Peaks, except the occasional robbery, but hey, it’s a sleepy town on a mountain. Not a lot of action is gonna take place.

‘Is Dad still patrolling?’ I asked lightly, heating up some left over lasagna.

‘I don’t know and I don’t care either. I wanted that fruitpop you turd.’ Brad said, punching Ben’s arm.

‘Whatever.’ Ben said, going upstairs.

Brad seemed to have gotten over himself and went upstairs too.