Things are Complicated

Chapter 31: It started with a Bubble Bath

Bubble baths are a rare luxury. Add jets to the tub and one has literally created a little piece of heaven. With the right type of bath salts, or soaps, it can be as therapeutic as purging yourself of all the secrets and anger that you’ve kept inside for months, even- dare I say- years.

Sinking below the soapy surface, I rubbed my tired face and sore head of all the grime I collected from the last few hours. When I resurfaced, I heard someone knocking lightly on the door.

“Come in,” The words slipped out of my mouth before I caught my mistake. I should have asked who it was first.

Thankfully D’Angelo poked his head in, eyes covered. “Are you sure?” he inched his way in regardless.

“There’s plenty of bubbles, but if you’re not careful, someone might think we’re being scandalous.” I raised my eyebrows at him when he lowered his hand.

“You’ve got bubbles on your head,” he pointed at the top of my dark head.

“They’re meant to be there- what’s up?” I laid my head back on the towel I folded for the edge of the tub.

“Well, you see, Jett and I were playing rock, paper, scissors and I lost.” D stared at the crown molding and then down at the tiles.

“D, I’m about this close,” I held up my thumb and forefinger an inch apart. “-from drowning you in the bath water.”

“Calm down,” he laughed, giving me a wide grin as he sat down on the close-lidded toilet. “I just wanted to talk to you before the others came back.”

“About what?” I pushed the thick bubbles into a tiny mountain, struggling to get the peak just right.

The grin on D’s mouth slowly pulled back into a straight line and he took a deep breath. “I forgot,” he shrugged.

“Well that’s so unlike you,” I drew out my sarcasm, hoping he’d look up from his clasped hands. But he didn’t.

“Everything’s going to change for you,” he moved his legs apart and leaned forward onto his knees. “The operation and radiation therapy are going to make you sick, you’ll lose your hair and probably have to quit school for a while.”

“It’s not like I was doing all that great before,” I rolled my eyes, trying to steer the conversation away from the dark road D’s words were leading us. “At least I have a legit excuse. Besides, there’s always summer school. I mean, I’ll get my diploma eventually.”

“Yeah,” he nodded, but his face turned away from me.

“Hey,” I scooted forward in the tub, collecting a wave of bubbles around my chest. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” he gave me a half smile.

Outside we both heard the front door open and my brothers shuffled in. Their heavy, dragging footsteps were easily the most identifiable sounds. How? Well, let’s just say I’ve been conditioned to feel an instant pang of dread at their every footfall.

D and I shared a panicked look.

“Maybe I should-,” he started to stand.

“Yeah, definitely,” I motioned for him to move quickly.

“Jed?” Brien called out as he entered the bedroom. “You in here?”

D leapt to his feet, looking between the door and me, eyes wide in fear. “Shit-,”

“Jed?” The doorknob began to twist and D jumped into the tub, pulling the curtain around half the tub.

He just barely missed stomping on my legs, “Do you mind?” I yelled.