Babysitting

ChapterNine

I forced my eyes open as the ringing echoing in my room continued. It was still dark despite my phone lighting up the room. I tiredly reached for it and checked who was calling.
"Tio?" I answered.
"Luciana," my uncle Anthony breathed. "We've been trying to get hold of you."
"I was sleeping," I sat up. "What's going on?"
"You have to come back home," he rushed.
"Why?"
"Your parents," he audibly swallowed. "Oh god, Ciana, I'm so sorry."
I stood up, fearing what he had to say.
"What happened?" I asked.
"There was a robbery," he started and I felt my stomach flip. "They went back to the house. There were guns."
My body went ice cold and I immediately walked to my cupboard.
"How are they doing?" I murmured.
"Luciana..." I feared what he had to say next. "They didn't make it."
I squeezed my eyes shut and placed my palm over my mouth to keep from crying out. It felt as though I couldn't breathe.
"You have to come back as soon as possible," Anthony continued. "Julio. He isn't doing well."
"How did this happen?" I choked out.
"I'll explain everything when you get here," he said. "I'm so sorry, Ciana, so sorry."
I bid goodbye to him and threw my phone onto the plush carpet, shoving my hands into my hair and tugging as sobs escaped my mouth.
My parents were gone. The last time I had seen them was almost four months ago.
This had to be a sick joke.
I changed into black leggings and a blue sweater, stopping every now and then to take deep breaths.
I fumbled as I picked my phone up, trying to check the time. It was only half past one in the morning.
Silent tears flowed down my cheeks nonstop as I gathered a few items of clothing and shoved them into a carry on bag. I grabbed my credit card and shoved that in as well, making my way to my bedroom door. I ripped it open and made my way into the elevator.
"Lucy?"
I opened my eyes to see Nathaniel had stopped the elevator doors from closing.
"I'm in a rush," I mumbled. "Please."
He glanced at my face before stepping into the elevator, letting the doors close.
"What's happening?" He asked.
"I have to go home," I cried.
"If this is about our fight, I'm sorry," he sighed.
"It's got nothing to do with you," I sniffed, grateful that the doors finally opened. "I don't know how long I'll be gone or if I'm even coming back. I'll let Debbie know. Please take care of the kids."
"Don't run away from me," he pleaded, stopping me from walking out the front door.
"This isn't about you!" I yelled, shoving passed him. "Let me go!"
I called a cab to take me to the airport while Nathaniel stared at me.
"Why are you leaving?" He asked.
"I just need to go," I wiped my cheeks. "I'll explain everything to Debbie. Go back inside."
His jaw set and I knew he was about to blow up.
"I promise, it's not about our fight," I looked to the driveway to see the cab pulling up. "My parents-"
I choked on a sob and placed my palm back over my mouth.
He seemed to understand and backed away, allowing me to climb into the cab.
"The airport," I told the driver. "Hurry please."
The man shot forward, pushing the speed limit and I was at the airport in a few minutes. I paid him and walked stiffly to a desk.
"I need the next flight to Portugal," I told the lady.
"There's one leaving in ten minutes," she said and I nodded.
She printed the ticket and I paid her before calling my uncle.
"My flight leaves soon. Please fetch me from the airport in seven and a half hours," I told him.
He said he would and we said bye.
A lot could happen there in eight hours. I worried about Julio. He was alone now.
An intercom came on and called us to the boarding gates and I almost sprinted there.
Soon enough, I was up in the air, seated next to an old lady.
I felt numb on the inside and my chest was tight, this felt like a bad dream.
I closed my eyes. I probably wouldn't get a lot of sleep in the next few days so I might as well rest now instead of worrying. I calmed my breathing as much as possible and let the voices around me fade.

                                                                             ***

A loud dinging sound roused me from sleep and I groggily opened my eyes, seeing people stand up.
"The plane has landed, dear," the lady next to me said. "You were out like a light."
"Oh," I stood up, putting my bag over my shoulder. "Thank you."
She nodded and walked ahead.
I rubbed my face before getting into line to get off the plane. Once I was off, I jogged, dodging people in my way.
Julio was the first person I saw, his face seemingly pale and dark rings under his eyes. His demeanor was slumped and tired.
When he saw me, his eyes glassed over and he ran into my open arms.
"Ciana," he cried.
"It's okay," I swallowed, running my hand through his hair.
He continued sobbing into my shoulder as my aunt, Gabby, and my uncle stepped closer.
Gabby had a crumpled tissue in her hand, dabbing at her eyes every so often while Anthony had a grim expression on his face.
"Oh, querida," Gabby said, placing a hand on my upper arm. "This is such a mess."
"We'll explain everything in the car," Anthony said and gestured for us to walk.
I continued holding onto Julio as we walked out to the car. I placed my bag in the boot and climbed in, Julio holding onto my hand with a frown on his face.
Anthony climbed onto the highway and Gabby turned towards the backseat.
"It happened yesterday," her eyebrows scrunched. "The police told us what happened and then we called you after we got Julio to our house."
I nodded, squeezing Julio's hand.
"I'll take over," Anthony told his wife and looked at me through the rear view mirror. "Your mom and dad were shopping. When they got back home, a few windows were broken. Your dad went in first and apparently didn't come out again so your mom followed him. It wasn't a planned thing, it was just a plain old robbery. The robbers had guns and shot. It wasn't fatal shots but because no one was home, they lost a lot of blood by the time the ambulance was called."
"Where were you?" I turned to Julio.
"Ricardo," he mumbled. "I called the ambulance."
I frowned for my brother, upset that he had to walk into a sight like that.
"Julio said they were still breathing when he called," Gabby continued. "But by the time the ambulance got there, your mom was already gone."
I felt fresh tears leak out of my eyes and a lump formed in my throat.
"Your father was still alive, unconscious but alive, when he was placed in emergency," Anthony sighed. "But they couldn't do the blood transfusion quick enough."
There was silence for a few seconds until the sound of my loud cry broke it. I leaned onto Julio's shoulder, wrapping my arm around his waist as I cried.
Gabby placed her hand on my thigh.
"I'm so sorry, crianças," she said. "So, so sorry."
I nodded, closing my eyes as Julio leaned his head on mine.
After a while, we were pulling in Anthony's driveway. I got out, fetching my bag then put my arm over Julio's shoulders again.
We walked into the house and my eyes were immediately drawn to the many bags and boxes sitting in their entrance.
"We moved as much of your stuff as possible to here," Anthony said. "You can set up your room how you like."
"We'll have to get all your stuff from New York this week. I hope they pay out," Gabby added.
"I'm not leaving my job," I stated, looking at them.
"You can't leave your family in their time of need," Anthony said.
"Julio can come with me," I shrugged.
"I can?" He looked at me.
I nodded, pulling out my phone.
"I'll be right back," I told them, stepping out of the front door.
I clicked into Debbie's contact and placed the phone at my ear.
"What is the meaning of you leaving at two in the morning with no explanation whatsoever?" She yelled as soon as she picked up. "And Nathaniel was staying there and there was not one word about it from you!"
"I can explain," I sighed.
"It better be a bloody good explanation," she hissed. "I'm waiting."
"My parents passed away yesterday, Debbie. I'm sorry I didn't inform you earlier but I just got to Portugal now. I have to sort out a few things," I squinted as I looked to the sky. "As for Nathaniel, he wants to prove he can look after the kids so now is a better time than ever."
"Oh, Luciana, my condolences," she said, sympathy lacing her voice.
"Thank you," I looked at my feet. "I don't know how long I'll be gone for. Minimum a week or two."
"Take all the time you need, I'll be home next week anyway," I heard the rustling of papers. "Maybe even today."
"As you please," I shrugged despite her not being here. "I needed a favor."
"Yes?"
"Uhm, my younger brother, he'll obviously have to live with the next legal guardian and that's me," I swallowed the nervousness. "I was wondering if he could just finish this school year and then perhaps come live in New York? You can cut my pay if you like but I need to take care of him. I feel that he blames himself because he wasn't there to help."
Debbie took a deep breath and I heard whispering in the background. There was a sigh.
"Yes, he can come at the end of the school year. But he's your responsibility and your allowance will be used for the both of you. Your rules are going to apply to him as well," she said in a sharp voice.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you," I inhaled. "I honestly can't thank you enough."
"I'll have to get going now, send my condolences to your family and take care of yourself, Luciana," the tone dial sounded after that.
I shoved my phone into my pocket and walked back inside.
Anthony and Gabby were sitting at the dining table as Julio went through a box.
"Julio is going to finish this school year and then come live with me," I said. "I'll send maintenance money every month for you guys to care for him. I just really need to keep this job."
They looked at each other with worry before sighing.
"Okay, Ciana," Anthony said. "Tomorrow we have to go sign documentation so everyone get to bed early tonight."
We all nodded and dispersed to our own rooms.
I took my phone out of my pocket before changing into my pajamas. I then went through my messages. Kira wanted to call me.
I tapped her contact and put it on speaker and placed it back on the bedside table.
"Hello, Ciana," four worried voices echoed.
"Hi guys," I sat on the bed. "I'm safely in Portugal."
"I'm sorry about your mommy and daddy," Kira said.
I shrinked into the headboard and remained quiet, my nose stinging.
"We're all sorry," Alex spoke up. "This must be difficult for you."
"It hasn't really settled in but I'm fine right now," I said. "And I have to tell you guys something."
"Yeah?" They all said.
"I'm now the legal guardian of my brother so next year, he's coming to live with us," I looked at the screen of my phone.
"Thank god, another guy," Jake exclaimed.
"I'm literally standing right next to you."
Nathaniel was on the call as well and my face drained.
"You confessed to Debbie that you're there?" I said.
There was whispering and shuffling then a click.
"I had to, I was worried," Nathaniel's voice came out loud and clear meaning he was the only one on the phone.
"Very brave of you," I muttered.
"I'm so sorry, Lucy," he sighed. "I know saying that doesn't help much but I'm here for you."
"Now you're suddenly here for me," I mused. "We haven't spoken for two weeks and you've brought Kerrie into the house everyday when the kids are at school."
"We shouldn't fight now," he murmured.
"I don't want to speak to you," I snapped. "Put Kira back on the phone."
"Please hear me out," he whined. "Stop being so damn stubborn."
"You're such a fucking jerk," I whisper yelled.
"You can't like me, Lucy," he said.
"I'm sure I'm the one controlling my feelings," I pointed out.
"It's not right to like me after I've hurt you."
"Too bad cause here we are."
"I can't even deal with you anymore," he muttered angrily.
"Then don't. Put Kira on the phone," I hissed.
"I'm staying here even when you get back and we'll talk about this, that I promise you," he spat before the line went dead.
I gritted my teeth before throwing my phone hard onto my pillow.
I sighed angrily, mentally choking Nathaniel in my head. He pissed me right off.
I laid back, moving my phone back onto the table. I clicked the bed lamp off and looked at the dark ceiling.
I had already lost three people in such a short span of time.
I wrapped my arms around my chest, loud cries racking through my body as realization started setting in. I pulled the blanket over my head, curling into a ball.
After moments of loud crying, I quieted down and let silent sobs shake me. I heard the bedroom door open and soon the bed dipped.
"I miss them so much already," Julio's voice whispered above the blanket.
I opened the blanket and let him crawl in underneath.
"I should've been home," he wailed.
"This isn't your fault," I pulled him into my arms. "It's no ones fault."
He nodded, shoving his face into the crook of my neck, letting his own tears fall.
"It's going to get better, I promise you that," I nodded, wanting to agree with my own words.
He sniffed a couple more times before his crying was replaced with a soft snoring.
I fell asleep knowing that my brother was still healthy and alive in my arms.