To Long and Belong

Chapter 5

Breakfast was long and awkward as Willy, Lana, Seth and Kylie sat at the dining table together. Seth toyed with his cereal, trying to find the right words to break the silence, but nothing was coming to him. Willy and Lana had edged away from Kylie, closer to their brother, as if seeking protection from their oldest sibling. They knew he'd always protect them.

"So," said Kylie at last, "I trust you all behaved yourselves last night?"

She'd gone out to the club with this truck driver she'd met a few days ago. She hadn't been home when Seth had returned from work. "Mum, we're not 12," Seth said. Kylie kissed her son's cheek affectionately. Willy and Lana shifted uncomfortably in their chairs, hoping their suspicions that Seth was Kylie's favourite child weren't true.

"You have a shift today, Seth?" Kylie asked.

"No, Mum. Today's my day off." Seth wouldn't miss his date with Charlotte for the world. He was far too fascinated by her to pass up the chance of learning more about her. He prayed his phone wouldn't beep. He'd tucked it into his pocket.

"How would you children feel if I had another man in my life?" Kylie asked.

"What?!" the three of them all screamed at once. They all had the same shocked expressions on their faces, Seth's mouth hanging open in horror. The idea of a man replacing their father was horrifying, and the thought of it made them all sick. But Kylie seemed unfazed.

"Well, I've met someone," she said in a tone that suggested I don't care if you children like it or not. Seth pressed his lips together, not willing to start a fight with his mother in front of his two siblings. He'd become good at supressing his anger, especially since his father had died. Lana and Willy loved that their brother was always mindful of their presence.

"Um, I'm going out today," Seth said awkwardly. Willy and Lana smirked at the thought of their brother going on a date. "Who's the lucky girl?" Lana said instead, meaning all of it. She loved her brother to bits.

"Charlotte's her name. We're going out later, so I'd have skipped work if I had it."

Lana and Willy smiled.

"We're happy for you, Seth. I hope she's right for you," Lana said, leaning over and putting her slender hand over Seth's strong, masculine one.

Seth gripped his sister's fingers, squeezing them affectionately. "Thanks, Lana."

"Would you like to know more about the man I've been seeing?" Kylie said in a pathetic attempt to steer the conversation back to her.

"No," all of them said quickly.

"You really aren't interested?"

"Mum, Dad died two months ago. It's too soon. The truth is, it's always gonna be too soon." Seth looked at his mother sincerely, hoping desperately that she'd understand.

"You're right," Kylie admitted, hugging her son tight. "I love you, Seth."

"Love you too, Mum."

Jealousy was written all over Lana's face; Willy no longer cared about his mother and who she loved and whatnot.

"Hey, that's the same outfit you wore yesterday!" Lana exclaimed, pointing at Seth's chest.

"And?" Seth said stupidly. It was his green basketball singlet.

"Which reminds me. Willy, I think I left my bag in your room," Kylie said, rising from her stool.

"No, you didn't!" Willy said defensively, reaching out with his arm and blocking his mother's way.

"Yes, I did!" Kylie insisted, smacking Willy's arm away.

"Mum, I promise you didn't!" Willy was yelling, but it was too late.

There was a shriek from Kylie. Then there was a moment of silence. Then Kylie came rushing out of Willy's room with a small bag of familiar looking tablets.

"What is this?" Kylie screeched.

Seth and Lana took a deep breath.

Narcotics.