Things are Complicated

Chapter 6: From Alone to Step-Sibling

Locking myself in my room I firmly decided that I hated my mother. If dad were around, he’d say that sulking over the matter wouldn’t help me, feeling sorry for myself wouldn’t either and that I need to take this like a reasonable adult. But he isn’t around and knowing that will never stop hurting.

I am just so sick of her. I’ve never gotten a pleasant word of encouragement from her! She’s always being so kind and lenient with her sons, but me? Yeah, I don’t think she even cares. I don’t think I’ve ever been truly apart of this family, except when dad was around, he always seemed to be able to cheer me up. Now this woman wants to bring this strange man into my life.

A slow knock jerks me up from my bed, I didn’t know who it could be. My mother’s knocks are so impatient and my brothers never knocked, merely inviting themselves in. So it had to one of the two enemies.

“Who is it?” I demand taking in deep breaths, a technique I developed to stop myself from crying.

“D’Angelo,” he says from the other side of the door.

At first I thought about screaming at him, but I am too tired from being angry all day, besides we are in the same boat here.

“Come in,” I tell him before I realize just who I’m inviting into my sanctuary.

However, when he opens the door and takes two steps in. I’m not sure what I expected of him, but it wasn’t to collapse against my door and slide all the way to the floor.

Leaning his elbows on his knees and staring at my dusty hardwood floor he begins to talk. “They say that after the wedding we’re moving in. Our apartment on the north side isn’t big enough for everyone.” He says as if to offer a feeble excuse.

Of course they would. Wasn’t that just great news?

 “Go ahead. I’m not going to have anything to do with this ‘family’ anymore.” I tell him. “As soon as this school year is over and I get the chance, I’m going to put as many miles between me and this ‘family’ as I can.”

“Is it really that bad?” he peers up at me with a very tired expression. “I mean, yeah it sucks, but they’re still your family.”

I roll my eyes at him, he had no idea, none whatsoever. “Yes, it is.” I assure him, as I roll over on my bed to lie on my stomach. “Don’t be fooled by that act just now. That wasn’t my mother.”

“Then who was it Jed?”

“That was an act,” I started to pick the lint off the quilt that covered my bed. “My mother has never baked a day in her life.”

D’Angelo snorted at my excuse and peered around the room, taking in the bare walls and almost barren room with little interest. Wait till he tries to clear out one of the boys’ rooms. He’ll need a tank and seven armies just to get rid of their trophies alone.

“Do you think your brothers are going to be as welcoming?” he leaned his head back against the door and looked at the ceiling this time.

 “How the hell should I know?” A breeze blew through the window above my bed, reminding me that I still needed a hot shower and three or four blankets. “My brothers could probably spit on you and your dad without receiving a single bit of criticism. Better get used to it.” I tell him.

“Your brothers wouldn’t spit on us,” D gives me a small chuckle and rubs the sides of his pants.

My turn to laugh, “I’m looking forward to the day your little image of my brothers shatters into a million pieces. Don’t get me wrong. They’ll play nice until the wedding, but after they’ll be a total menace.”