The Boys of Summer

12.

"Im back! I came as soon as I heard little Charles was awake." Raven came through the door holding up a bunch of food and a VHS tape. "I got us some snacks and a movie rental." She laid the things on the bar table.

I watched inconspicuously from the couch as Hank helped her with the items. Fixing my glasses, My eyes followed her as she went around the kitchen to unload some more things from her pocket. To my suspicion, I noticed a bottle of insulin along with some pills and an orange cannister. What was this? She didnt look sick to me.

Then I remembered what Jean had said to us back in the room. "I saw her douse the boat with chemicals not just the propeller. I knew I had to say something but I knew I wouldnt stand a chance I all of you didnt believe me. This is why im telling you Charles and Erik; its either somethings wrong with her or somethings wrong with the house." Those words sent a chill down my spine.

I know Raven and I were extremley close enough to read each others minds and tell each others secrets, but that was just the tip of the iceberg like everyone else. I had my own screts to keep and so did Raven. Something inside me though told me it was sinister.

But I couldnt just straight up ask her if the allegations were true or I might break Jean's secrecy. So ive decided to keep a close eye ob her with the help of Jean and Erik who gladly accompanied me.

I was worried about Erik though, he was a strange man with mixed motives. First he's all lovey dovey towards Raven then next he's being intimate with me withot his ring then next he's back hugging and whispering sweet nothings into her ear while she hid away the goods in the pantries.

"Hey little bro, are you feeling all good?" Raven suddenly asked as she approached me. The first thing I said was to inquire about the outrageous clothes that she was wearing.

She placed her hands on her hips. "What? Its Paula Abdul inspired." I raised a brow. "You look like some wannabe vagabond."

"Whatever you suck anyway in fashion because youre so preoccupied with your brainy crap." She hopped over the sofa beside mine and landed on it with her feet above the ottoman.

"Oh Raven you're back back. Nice jacket you got there." Uncle Logan commented as he webt and sat down on the lazy boy. Raven smirked at me victoriously. "See? His statement is valid."

"Whatever, your shoulder pads are the size of dinner plates." I said as I continued watching the television. Raven took out the VHS from her leather jacket and threw it over to uncle Logan.

"The Shining? Again with this horror flick." Uncle Logan groaned in protest. "Raven we've seen this too many times before."

"Yeah sis its overrated." I added in. Raven muttered a string of trumpery, crossing her arms and glancing away. "I dont care." She said.

"Why can't we just watch something else rather than a megalomaniac psycopath trying to kill his wife and kid." Dad walked in with popcorn on his arm. "How about Psycho?"

"Dad thats like basically the same thing." Raven said. Hank and Scott nodded in agreement too. "Plus its super old and boring."

"What about Nightmare on Elm Street? Thats new apparently." Mom suggested as she strutted and joined the debate. Logan shook his head. "Nah thats too lame."

"Beverly Hills Cop?"
"Oh no not that again."
"Oh Xanadu that was a great film."
"Dad that was like the 70s."
"Electric Dreams!"
"Scott ew why that?"
"How about that new film Ghostbusters?"
"No Hank."
"The new Star Wars film?"
"We dont even watch Star Wars."
"Okay what about Flashdance?"
"No."

I chuckled to myself as my entire family debated on what to watch. It actually felt like...home. The way they conversed was a long distant memory to me.

I actually genuinely felt welcomed.