Affair With My cousin

8.New neighbors

Walking in our house all alone late in the afternoon feels intimidating. My dad insisted on driving me back home, and almost convinced me he would stay with me. He was so worried today after he saw me crying. Thank God he didn't ask any questions during the ride. He parked into the driveway and was ready to come inside but I just got off and thanked him for driving me, reassuring him that I'll be fine.

I turn on all the lights, chasing away any disturbing images from my brain and go to the kitchen. I make sure to clear all thirty missed calls and the few messages the screen displays. If there's anything that can take my mind off of this, it is baking. And angry eating.

I did a great job hiding things from mom and dad but now I feel like everything is coming apart. A week ago, I was thrilled and eager to see Shanon, to get my yearly dose of him. Confessing my love felt like a pleasant and promising idea, like it would open doors for us, or set me free from all the thinking and hiding my feelings. But all it did is ruin us, and break us apart. I never thought that he would do what he did. I put my faith in him. Like a blind person, I let him guide me and he drove me straight to my tomb.

Tears start blurring my vision and I suck them back. I really feel like giving up and crying, and just sleeping it off. Pushing everything to the back of my mind, I splash my face with some cold water and massage my temples as I sit on a chair and take deep breaths.

My phone rings making me jump slightly. At first, anger consumes me, thinking it's him again. But then when I see the caller, anger flies out of the window.

"DEBBY!" I shout as the same time she shouts "JOSY!"

"I'm on a hurry right now but there's a change in plans and I'll be in town tomorrow. I'll come see you at the beach house-" she says as fast as she can.

"I'm back at home alone. Come here instead. There's so much to catch up on."

"Cool. I have so much to tell you. I'll see you tomorrow at noon." With that, the line goes off.

It's weird how one phone call can change your mood. I'm about to wear my apron to make something to eat when a knock is heard on the front door. I debate whether or not to ignore it. Shanon couldn't have come all the way here, it would seem suspicious. Who else could it be?

With a frying pan in hand, I reach for the door handle and pull it slowly, swallowing hard.

"Hello. Oh I'm sorry we didn't mean to scare you..." A woman that looks in her late thirties stands in front of me with a platter of cookies in her hands and a boy next to her. He seems to be taken aback with my action as he playfully raises his arms in surrender, a sweet smile forming on his face.

"Oh no, I'm sorry. I thought it was someone else." I put the pan away and give them a weak smile.

"Oh I'm sorry, I knew it was late. But the cookies couldn't wait till tomorrow." She giggles mostly to herself and hands me the tray. The smell envades my system that I forget to thank her.

"We're new in the neighborhood. I just moved here with my two sons. I'm Vivian Dilorenzo, and this is my son Charles. You can call him Charlie, everybody does." Her warm smile is contagious and spreads a lovely vibe in the air. I instantly feel like we would get along, despite the age difference.

"Ma, stop it." Charles nudges her, a sweet dimple showing on his cheek as he smikes shyly which makes me stare for a little too long but I quickly turn back to her.

"Um...nice to meet you. I'm Joseline but you can call me Josy, everbody does." I see a glimpse of another dimpled smile and I smirk. "Would you like to come in? My family is not here but I can be your host."