Death Avenue: Answers

Supper

I roll my eyes at the sight of my mother's car and walk in the house. I march right up the stairs and straight into my room, trying my best to avoid her.

"Hello to you young lady." I mentally curse at myself for being so noticeable. "Hey mom. I've got homework to finish before dinner, no time to talk bye".

I ignore whatever else she said and head straight to my room to start on my homework. I toss my bag on my bed kicking my shoes off in the process.

I grab my phone and check my messages.

5:32 Val: Still up for the group FaceTime?

5:33 Sierra: Sure, I still have homework to finish though

5:33 Val: Ok just do it while we're on the call

*knock knock*

"Yes?" I look up to see my brother in my doorway. "Mom says she's cooking tonight and that it will be ready in an hour or two." I let out a small huff. A dinner with mom means conversation time. Which doesn't always go well.

"Alright thanks kid." I grab my books and folder from my bag to start on my homework joining the group call as well.

*Later*

I pack up my books and lay them across my bed scrolling through my Instagram. I see a few pictures of Bree and Luis. Some hugging, some kissing, and some laughing. I try my best to ignore the cloud of jealousy forming in my chest and look at something else.

Instead, I blast some of my favorite songs playing a card game on my phone.

"Sierra come down for dinner!"

I groan quietly. I turn off my music and head downstairs scowling.

"Help you're brother set the table will you?" I sigh loudly on purpose and help DeMarcus put out plates.

We sit in a calm silence while filling our plates with hot pasta and fried chicken drizzled in BBQ sauce.

We pray and dig into our meal. I find the silence comforting.
I spoke too soon.
"So, how was school?" She asks my brother.

I should've seen that coming from a mile away.

"The day went by pretty fast. I didn't get much work either and for the most part my teachers seem to like me. I wish dad was here to see this." My brother says this a bit glumly. He's been really struggling without dad. Since dad left before he was born, he never really got to have a bond. Neither did I, since I was only 2 years old.

I watch as my mom shoots him a look. He doesn't even notice as he's chomping down on the chicken. I never understood why she won't let us mention our own father.

"I think he'd be proud of how grown up you've become." I say smiling at him. He looks at me with a mouthful of food and smiles widely.

"And how about you Sierra?" I stare straight into her eyes shooting back the same glare she shot me.

"It was good. Not much happened that I didn't expect."

"Did you finish all that homework you were talking about earlier?"

"Of course." I can tell she's waiting for me to say something that will upset her. As if she's mentally daring me.

Being completely aware of her little game I give her exactly what she's asking for.

"Why is it that we don't get to talk about dad?"

I watch her eyes go wide, then she darkens her gaze not looking up at me. My brother chokes on his water in shock.

"Mom?" She drops her fork against the plate making a sound that makes DeMarcus jump.

"We've already talked about this, it's not a subject I'm comfortable with and we need happier things to think about anyways."

The stern tone in her voice is enough to make me laugh. I barely feel threatened which only makes me want to test her more.

"But I think it would be nice for DeMarcus to talk about how proud dad would be. I think DeMarcus also deserves to hear about dad and how nice he was. Instead of hearing it from family friends at occasional social events. You should be the one telling him about dad regardless."

"Do not start this right now Sierra."

Instead of acknowledging her request, I ignore it, feeling my irritation rise.
"Well you could at least support him instead of crushing his confidence. He never even got to meet him. Never got to get that bond or feel his embrace."

"Sierr-"

I turn to my brother and say, "You know that dad would be incredibly proud of you. You love us as much as people say he loved us. You are so, so loving DeMarcus." He looks at me wide-eyed. His eyes start to tear up. It has always been a touchy topic for him. My brother is so soft. How can you not love him? How can you leave him?

"Sierra stop." I feel my hand clench into a fist from the sound of my name on her tongue.

"No, I think it would be good for him to hear about dad at least a little bit."

"Sierra I swear if you-"

"What? Don't stop? I bet you've never once tried to imagine what this could be like for him ever!"

"Do not raise you're voice at me!"

"I'm just saying that-" The sound of her chair scrapping the ground shuts me up quickly.

"Enough! Just go to your room!"

I stare at her. DeMarcus's gaze goes from me to my mom and then back.

"Did I stutter young lady?"

Her cold unmoving glare deepening every second.

"Fine."