The Chairs Between Us

Unusual Breakfast

I changed into ripped up jeans and a band T-shirt while everyone was making breakfast. Before leaving my room I saw my black and white flannel on the floor.

Eh... Why not?

I picked it up and tied it around my waist, closing up my room.

The delicious aroma of various breakfast food filled the whole house.

I haven't smelt this in a while. It reminded me of him.

I walked closer to the kitchen and stood in the doorway.

Liam was helping my mom make pancakes and orange juice. 

It all seemed weird to me. 

Seeing my mom smile, cooking, and talking so much. She never does these things. 

Listening to them talk and laugh over the sizzling of bacon was like he was back. 

"So Liam, you play viola too?"

"Yes ma'am. Everyone plays violin or cello so, I went with the one in between." 

She laughed, "Please Liam, you don't have to call me ma'am. Just call me Gloria." 

"Sorry I am just used to that at home. It becomes second nature." 

He spotted me standing by the door and waved me in. I walked slowly over to him like a dog that was caught chewing on the furniture. My mom noticed me too.

"Oh Dominic, can you help set the table?"  

She talked to me again.

I was shocked and didn't know what to say.

He grabbed onto my wrist, "I will help too."

When we got to the table, he laughed, "You are so weird."

I shook my head, "I am not."

He laughed again, "Sure... whatever you say."

We finished the table just as my mom walked out with a stack pancakes. 

We all sat down and served up the plates. 

As I looked at each spotless white plate, my face reflected back at me. 

Why does it feel like I am in an episode of the Twilight Zone? 

My mom walked back and forth from the kitchen with plates stacked high with all kinds of breakfast food. There was pancakes, fruit, eggs, waffles, sausage, bacon, you name it and she had it. She never cooks but now that she had the chance, she cooked everything in the kitchen. 

He used to love cooking with her.

I shook the thoughts from my head.

Stop thinking about him.

We all began to dig into the mountain of food on our plates.

My stepdad looked over at Liam, "So do you play any sports?"

Oh god, don't talk about sports. You're not going to like his answer. Or you will probably say something stupid.

Liam put down his fork, "I actually used to play baseball for about ten years but I stopped."

"Well that's too bad, I believe that every boy should play a sport. It will help them grow and acquire friendship. You just can't get that in that weird music thing you guys do."

I put my head in my hands. 

And he said something stupid. 

Liam gave him a small smile, "Well I did become friends with Dominic in orchestra. I don't really hang out with my baseball friends anymore."

My point exactly.

I thought my stepdad was done but he kept talking.

"What a shame... I have been trying to get Dominic to play a sport for a while but he is too focused on that instrument. He barely has many friends besides you... You are actually the only friend we have seen. And to be honest... I don't really like the music that he plays so we make him practice outside the house."

He did not just say that!

He continued on, "His brother used to play music too. I just don't understand it."

He doesn't have the right to talk about him. I can't take this anymore. 

I threw my fork down, "I am tired of you.... You always try to make it seem like it is my fault. My fault I don't play a sport.... My fault I play viola.... My fault I have to play outside because mom doesn't want to remember.... My fault that she disowned me... My fault that Peter died. When are you two even going to notice everything I go through!"

I said his name.

I shocked myself. I haven't actually said my brother's name in a while.

 When he died his name died with him. 

My mom began to cry and looked down at the table.

For some reason I wanted to hug her but something in my body was holding me back. 

It had to be done. 

For too many years I had lived like this.

My stepdad was about to yell at me and stood up but Liam got up and pulled me away, "Let's go, you two need some time apart from each other."

I grabbed my viola and we walked out the door with Liam at my side.

I heard my stepdad trying to comfort my mom and I was hit with guilt.

Why did I have to snap? 

I felt like running away but Liam held onto my arm, pulling me towards his car. 

He was like an angel directing me to the light.