Sins of the Brother (On Hold)

A New Beginning

Chapter 1 

“Do you have everything you need,” my mom asked me for the twentieth time.

I'd reach a point where I never what to hear those words again. I gave my mom a flat look then turned and responded over my shoulder, “yeah mom of the umpteenth time I have everything i need.” I said as I grabbed my hand luggage and carried it to the trunk of my car.

It was 8:30 am on a Saturday and I was on my way to college. God that sound so normal it amazed me. I’d sent out applications in November last year and was accepted at the Washington State University to major in Business Management. Since I got up this morning, my mom has been fretting over me like a mother hen.

“Are you sure you don't want me to pack you some lunch or something for dinner?” she tried again.

“Mom, I’m good ok,” I told her in an annoyed voice. I instantly felt sorry when i saw her face fall. I tried not to hurt her feelings by adding, “I’ll most likely meet up with Remy and Abby when I’ve settled in.”

The commute to campus took about forty-five minutes but i couldn't stay at home anymore. I needed to get out and do something. My parents were driving me crazy. Don't get me wrong. I love my parents. It's just that they smothered me too much and sometimes I felt as if I'm suffocating. So, I've decided to stay at the college apartments to get the whole “college experience”.

At the front door, I almost collided with my dad who had two suitcases, one under each arm.

“Clara, stop pestering Payton,” he told my mother as he makes his way towards the trunk of the car. “She’s a big girl and can take care of herself.”

I heard the words but I didn’t believe them. Ever since “the incident”, as my parents termed it, they've been walking on eggshells around me. For the first two years. I went into a deep, dark depression. I couldn't face anyone. I am ashamed to admit it, but I even tried to kill myself one time by overdosing on pills.

After that failed attempt, I was past around from one psychiatrist to another at a home for troubled teens. I must confess it was rough. I quickly learn the ropes and told the shrinks what they wanted to hear, they deemed me fit for humanity again and released me back into the wild. Or in this case, back into the custody of my parents.

For three years I was afraid to go outside my own front door. I had nightmare which could scare even the coldest hearted criminal. I still have those nightmares every once in a while. I’d get up shaking with my clothing soaked. 

On the outside, I tried to give my parents back their daughter. But on the inside, it was a different story. I’d finished high school with the help of private tutors since I didn’t want to have to deal with people staring at me like a freak.

Abby, Remy and Bradley were like faithful puppies. (Lovable faithful puppies) They came to see me every day despite my pleas to be left alone. Our friendship wasn't the same after my "sweet sixteen" but they never abandoned me. I was grateful for that in the later years.

Approximately a year ago, the three of them went off to college Abby and Remy are at Washington State while Bradley got accepted to Yale. Who would have thought Bradley would be a Yale man. I stayed behind and helped my mom with her floral business. I saw Abby over the holidays but Bradley and Remy stayed on campus. It was late last year when frustration got the better of me and I told my parent I wanted to go to college as well. It was the first time in a long while since I've seen my parents look so happy. You would think I told them I was going to get married or something. The good news is that Abby, Remy and i will be at the same university. For me it was a big step.