Emerald Skies

Family Reunion

Ch 23; Family Reunion

I was in the midst of a confrontation with Ross. He and I had bumped into one another this morning outside the movie theatre while I was with our parents and siblings. Now he's here at the same karaoke bar that Rydel and I planned to go to, and he's here with Laura and Vanessa. Rydel was around too, and for some unknown reason she appeared to be... offended maybe? I wasn't concerned with that at the moment though; but more focused on the conversation I initiated with my brother.

"All I'm saying is that mom has a point. As good as it may feel, what we share really is a toxic relationship by all definition of the meaning." I inform.

The sides of his jaw flare out, and I can tell he's biting down on the sides of his tongue. He does this every time he's about to cry to distract himself from the situation at hand.

"Riker, what are you saying? Why now? What has changed other than the fact that other people know about this now?" Ross says to me. "If this was such a big factor for you, then why is this just now coming up?"

I was stuck. I didn't know what to say. "That's not the point Ross. Fact of the matter is-"

Laura snatches Ross by the arm, and physically pulls him away. "It's your turn for a song." She reminds him, and suddenly her uppity mood seems to match the irritation Rydel portrayed moments ago.

What in the world is going on here...?

"It is." He nods to Laura. "Hey, can you go ask that guy to change the song again?" Ross says to his co-star, who nods, and walks toward the front with him.

Rydel huffs audibly, and crosses her arms. "Let's just get the hell out of here Riker. I'm sick of these dumb-fucks stalking us." She groans.

If things keep going the way they are, then it's best I avoid Ross all together. I nod, and Rydel takes the lead out. The song had already started though, and I hear Ross sing the first line to the song he's chosen to sing after our confrontation moments ago.

High-dive into frozen waves where the past comes back to life

And like the recollection that hit me when I spontaneously remembered a dream I had about that sweet blonde boy, I'm suddenly reminded of the last beach day we had as a family. Back before the drama happened between me and Rocky, back before Rydel and I were in debate over her decision-making regarding Laura.

Back before my love for Ross could cause so much chaos.

'Cause you are, the piece of me
I wish, I didn't need
Chasing, relentlessly
Still fight and I don't know why!

Out of no where, Laura socks me in the shoulder. Not enough to hurt, but enough to express her discontent with my behavior.

If our love, is tragedy why are you my remedy?
If our love's, insanity why are you my clarity?

"I honestly cannot believe you'd treat him like this Riker." She scolds; not in an angry tone, but stern and disappointed.

If you pull then I push too deep
And I'll fall right back to you

I glance back, and Rydel's already taken off. I flick my head back to Laura.

"Laur don't do this, just, give me a second to explain." I ask of her.

"You've run out of explanations and excuses Riker. You know, just about every other day you come to me and I get it Riker. I get that you're conflicted. But there is no excuse you can give to me right now to convince me that you aren't in the wrong here."