It's Not That Easy

Chapter 1 - Together Again

It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Chapter 1 - Together Again

My childhood room isn't as big as I remember, but then I haven't been in it much in the past four years. I know for sure my bed has shrunk, because my feet can almost hit the footboard, but that could be because I went from a queen-sized bed to a twin. You would think after six weeks of being here I would get used to it, but I'm not.

Being around my family is a foreign feeling for me. Even though I need them more now than ever before, it still feels weird to be here. Since the end of March. it's pretty much been my older brother and me, and before that just me.

I also think something is wrong with my door, since it keeps getting opened without the benefit of a knock. Privacy seems to be an issue with my brothers, as in; I can't get any. Thanks to my 15-year-old brother Peyton, my 10-year-old brother Daniel, and my 7-year-old brother Nate; there is not a dull or quiet moment in this house. But, it doesn't stop me from trying to find one.

My older brother, Mason, was smart; he's at Uncle Michael's house, and Uncle Michael lives alone in a huge two story house five miles away and it's quiet there. Note to self, next time I have to come home for a while sleep at Michael's house, too. But, I know why I am here, it's to recover and to ease their minds.

I hear the backdoor shut, and I know the coast is clear because there is silence. Without checking my appearance in the mirror, I make my way down stairs. I smooth my crazy, curly, blonde mass the best I can in a messy bun before I enter the kitchen.

"Good morning, sunshine," my mother says without a hint of sarcasm. My mom is one of the sweetest people I know. Too bad her sweetness didn't rub off on me. Don't get me wrong, it's not that I'm a bitch, usually, but I am a bit prickly sometimes. Then again genetically we have nothing in common.

"Morning mom." I kiss her cheek before I begin rummaging through the cabinets for breakfast. I look up at the clock...lunch.

"What time did Mason finally leave last night?" She asks, wondering if he is the reason for my late arrival downstairs.

"He left just after midnight, it was Helen that kept me up so late." She smiles at me. "She almost ended up sleeping here until she got a call from her brother." Her look changes to concern; because Helen's brother Edward lives in Tennessee and calling late isn't the norm.

"He drove in for weekend and is staying at least until the 4th of July. He stopped by just after 2:00 to pick her up. I guess he wanted to catch up with her for a little while," I tell her.

"How is he doing?"

"I don't know. He didn't come in, she just got in his car and left. All I got was a wave, but he should be here in a few hours for Dad's party." She listened attentively while I caught her up on all things Helen. Even though I see Helen almost everyday, we usually had our heads together, and Mom has been missing out.

Helen and I have been best friends since she moved here, wow, twelve years ago. We'll be sharing a small house I just bought off Markham Street near the university medical school where Helen and I will be attending. She's getting her pharmacy degree while I'm working on MD.

"What do you need me to do to help you?" I ask my mom, knowing she has a plan worked out to a science when it comes to feeding large groups of people. She usually asks for help at some point when I'm around, but I can already feel she's letting me out of it this time.

"I think I have everything taken care of for now. It won't be until everyone starts showing up, that it'll get busy."

"Woah, looking a little rough there, Addyson." I grimace at the sound of an unwanted voice; the only voice that ever calls me by my full first name. I grab a snack, smile at my mom, and leave the room, without ever looking at the owner of the voice.