Alienated [✔] » k.th

20.

Joey

My sister, Vick wanted to meet up with me today. So I suggested that we'd meet at a cafe.

She only talks to me when she wants something. So I'm assuming that she either wants me to do something for her or give her something.

She arrived at the cafe on time, which is a first, because she's always late.

"Hey, sis." I got out of my seat to greet her with a hug. She kinda avoided my hug and sat down. "So, what'd you want to talk about?"

"Oh, well... I just wanted to tell you that I need your help."

Here it comes. "I need a place to stay."

"Why? What happened?"

The waiter took our order. I just got a latte and Vick ordered a toasted breakfast sandwich. "Vick, why'd you order that. That has tomato on it and you know it."

"I don't see what the problem is." She shrugged.

"You hate tomato, ever since we were kids. Plus, you're allergic. Your skin will get puffy."

"Oh," she scoffed. "Well, I tried it a few days ago and I learned how to get over the taste. So let's get back to the topic at hand please."

"Fine," I said. She was acting very strange.

"I need a place to stay. My home is being foreclosed. I have nowhere else to go."

"Well, I'm sorry Vick. I really am, I don't know where else you and the kids could stay. You could stay in a hotel for a little while, while I help you find somewhere to live." I suggested.

"I was wondering if I could stay with you."

"Me?" I repeated. "Vick, I don't live in that apartment anymore. We moved."

"We?"

"Yes, We. V and I, we moved because it was dangerous. We moved in with my boyfriend, Ricardo."

"Oh really?" She raised both eyebrows. "And where does he live?"

"He lives... He lives..." I stopped. "Why do you want to know all this? Why does it matter to you where my boyfriend lives?"

"No reason," she shrugged. "Just curious, I just wanna know where my little sister is and if she's taking care of herself."

"Uh huh," I muttered skeptically. "So how are the little ones?"

"They're fine."

"How's Lavender? Is she doing well with the twins?"

"Yeah, he's fine with them."

"Vick, Lavender's a girl."

"Ok... And?"

"You said he's fine, instead of she's fine." It's strange because, she's always been the grammer Nazi between the two of us.

"Oh, I'm sorry." She smiled. I looked into her eyes and could have sworn I saw them flash red before they turned back to their normal dark brown color.

I collected my things and stood from my seat. "Where are you going?" She asked. "We have so many things to catch up on."

"I have to head home and check on, V. I'll call you."

"Aren't you gonna at least wait for your latte?" She said as the waiter brought our food to the table.

"No, I'm fine." I shook my head. I reached in my wallet and pulled out a ten dollar bill for my latte. "I'll be going now."

But, before I left, I wanted to ask her something to clear up my suspicions.
"Oh by the way, how's Doug your cat?"

"He's doing well." She replied before biting into her sandwich.

I made a mad dash out of the cafe. Something was terribly wrong.