Our Summer of Direction

Em's POV FLASHBACK

Em’s POV

FLASHBACK

(A/N) This is to make previous chapters clearer and why Katie is so afraid of motorbikes.  

“Katie, I don’t want to watch Nanny McPhee again. It’s my turn to pick!” I whine, narrowing my eyes at my best friend. Even at 7 years old we butted heads constantly. Before Katie can reply with a clever reason of why she got to pick the next movie, her brother Austin sauntered in. At age 9 he was the cutest boy I’d ever seen.

“Aussie! Tell Emmy that I get to pick the movie not her!” Katie demands, jumping into his arms and wrapping her arms around his neck. He grins at her antics and ruffles her hair. Austin and Katie were always so close and he was gaga for his baby sister. They had a special connection even with their age separation.

10 years later

“Katie Elizabeth. You have 10 SECONDS to tell me where your brother has snuck off too.” Elaine demanded staring Katie in the eyes. I feel intimidated from where I am sitting and yet Katie’s resolve doesn’t falter.

“I’m sorry, Mother; I don’t know where Austin is.” She repeats again. Her mother huffs and storms out of the room.

“Why didn’t you just tell her that he got that motorbike? She’s going to find out eventually anyway.” I remind Katie. She takes a moment to think over her words and at this point I’ve already learned how close they are.

“Austin and I would never rat out one another. He’s my brother. It’s my job to protect him when he’s late for curfew. Even if he is 19…” Katie explains. I don’t understand where she is coming from, because I am an only child. I nod like I do and Katie chuckles at me.

“Emilea, it would be like me ratting you out to your Mum if you were late to curfew.”

“Even though it would be you making me late.” I interject with a smile. She nods in agreement and calls Austin. For the first time in all the years I’ve known Katie, Austin doesn’t answer her call. She stops joking and smiling with me and stares at her phone in complete shock. She quickly redials his number and once again he doesn’t pick up. I can see the panic forming in Katie’s eyes and I feel panic too. After the fifth time of calling Austin, Katie is in tears. She calls a sixth time and I hear the line pick up. Katie sags with relief but becomes attentive when the caller speaks. Katie gasps and she screams for her mother. Katie’s Mum rushes in and grasps Katie’s shoulders.

“Mummy!” Katie wails, clutching at her mother. I  sit back and observe in confusion. Katie sobs as she explains that a paramedic picked up Austin’s cell phone and said there had been an accident. Katie’s mother releases her stiffly and grabs her purse. She rushes out the door and for 2 excruciatingly long hours I hold Katie’s hand and soothe her to the best of my abilities. When her mother arrives back she says nothing to Katie and I and instead she flies into Katie’s father’s arms. When they finally broke the news to Katie and me it had been too long. Austin had died upon impact when his motorbike had been hit because the girl he had been with had jerked the bars. She walked away with slight injuries and Katie’s brother hadn’t walked away. I remember Katie leaving the living room where her father had been waiting with open arms and she ran into her room. I had snuck up our tree to make sure she didn’t hurt herself. She began throwing things around and at walls and she finally collapsed on the ground sobbing and pounding the floor. I walk into her room from the balcony and for a few hours I hold her close and agree with how unfair it was. It felt like I had lost a brother as well, and in a way I had.