Breathe

Chapter 3

Lucie

As Vinny and I were backing out of the parking lot with all of our loot—some graphic T-shirts I'd just barely allowed him to buy, khaki pants and shorts, boat shoes, a jean jacket that was slightly too big, and let's not forget the way-too-hipster beanie I was planning to judge him for later—Cian called me.

      "Hey. Where the heck is my brother?"

      "Uh," I said, startled at how out of breath and anxious he sounded. I glanced over at Vinny, who gave me an interrogative look, twitching an eyebrow upwards. "He's in my passenger seat. Why?"

      There was a long pause. Cian sounded as if I'd just told him a major scientific discovery when he spoke next. "Vinny...in your passenger seat. As in, out of the house? As in, you guys went somewhere?"

      I blew a bubble with my gum, popped it, and switched the car's gears from reverse to drive. Stationary cars, packed into the lot like sardines in a can, zoomed past us as we left the mall behind. It had been a successful trip, considering no one had recognized Vinny, and he hadn't caused any scenes. Held his balance well, and everything—didn't act like someone whose body had been buried underground for a fifth of a decade. Even though his style was severely lacking, and would have to later be adjusted. "Yeah. What's it sound like, genius?"

      "Is he okay? Is he sick? What's gotten into him—"

      "Cian. Cian. He's fine. Here, I'll put you on speaker so you can talk to him."

      He grumbled something I couldn't understand, but said lucidly into the other end, "Ugh, fine."

      Taking the opportunity of pausing at a stop sign, I hit the speaker button and placed my cell phone on the car console between Vinny and me. "You're on."

      And Cian exploded. "Vinny? Have you gone insane? A week ago you threw up just at the thought of taking a step outside, and now you're just throwing yourself out to the public—"

      "I'm tired of being a prisoner in my own home," his little brother replied nonchalantly. He gave the phone screen a weary look, eyelids half-lowered over irises. "And you're not my mom, so you can't chastise me."

      "Too late," snapped Cian. "Look, I know Lucie's reckless" –I gave an outburst of "Hey!" at that moment—"but I wouldn't expect this from you.  You don't have to listen to everything muffin says. You know it's too risky out there right now. What if someone sees you?"

      "No one saw me, so it's okay. If anyone had seen me, anyway, Lucie would have handled it."

      Another pause. "How on earth would she do that?"         

      Vinny flicked his eyes up to mine, expectant. I shrugged and answered, "Dead men tell no tales."

      "Lucie!" cried Vinny at the same time that Cian yelped, "Muffin!"

      "What?" I responded. "I was joking! It was a joke. What I really would have done is got him out of there ASAP. Made the person think he hallucinated out of, you know, grief. No worries, Cian—you know me. You know I'd take care of Vinny even if it cost me my life."

      "Don't be melodramatic," Vinny scolded, but he shot me a furtive smile. I remembered when it was nearly impossible to bring that grin to his lips, remembered how I'd do anything for it anyway. I didn't share the same love with Vinny as I did with Cian, but there was enough adoration in my heart for him that he had grown to become my family.

      And I did everything for family.

      "Yeah...I know that," Cian admitted. His voice had dropped in volume, and I heard him sigh. "Just get home quick, alright? I love you both. Bye."