ʀᴏᴏᴋɪᴇ | ᴋᴏ ✔︎

14

It's been a few days, but I'm finally getting out of the hospital. Although I quickly grew frustrated by everyone telling me 'at least it's not broken, you'll be back in no time', I was told I'll be back in about a month if all goes to plan with my recovery and rehab.

My doctor came by 30 minutes ago to tell me I can finally get back home, which is why I've ordered an Uber to get me to the airport to catch the flight that the club booked for me. I'm almost ready to leave when my phone goes off, I embrace the grin when I ready the caller ID.

Kevin🤴🏻

"Hey Kid! How are you?"

"I'm good, Lo. You sound happy. Good news from the doctors?"

"Yeah, I'm nearly ready to go catch a plane and come home." I tell my brother, internally whincing when I realize that it sounds like I'm coming back to my brother. "Anyway, what's up, buttercup?"

"Ugh. I hate you." He mumbles which only makes me laugh. "I was wondering if you were free someday this week. I want you to meet the couple that fostered me." He tells me, blunt as usual, and though I don't mean to, I hesitate. "You don't have to, forget I mentioned it."

"No, no. It's okay. I'd love to meet them. Just...tell me when and where and I'll be there."

"Really?!" My brother yells through the phone, almost bursting my eardrum, but I still chuckle at his enthusiasm.

"Yes, really. Anything for you, kid. I gotta go though, got a flight to catch. Love you, Kev."

"Love you too, Lo!"

***

I've been home for a couple days, dealing with the usual crap that my mother has to offer, drink, drugs, random guys. I'm a few weeks away from having enough money saved to get out of here, all depending on if there's an emergency that requires money.

I get dressed after taking a shower, I opt for a more casual attire, not in the mood for fancy and formal, not that I have anything in that catergory anyway. I'm mostly going to see my brother, I've not see Kevin since he was taken away and while we text almost every other day, it's just not the same.

I finish lacing my Nike's and grab my keys for my truck from my dresser. It runs a lot smoother now that I paid for the repairs it really needed, which means that it's still a ratty, old beat up piece of shit, but now I don't need to continually punch the dash just to get the thing to start up. Not sure if it really makes a difference but it definitely helps relieve my own frustrations.

"Ahh, my baby." I grin, climbing into the drivers seat and running my hands on the steering wheel. "I've missed you." I put the key in the ignition and start the engine, happy when it roars to life without any violence on my part, and I begin the 40 minute drive to Kevin's new house on the other side of town.

By the time I get there I'm a nervous wreck. 'It's what's best for Kevin, it's all for Kevin', I keep telling myself and it's true. He has a better chance for his future, whatever that may hold, if he stays with a stable family in a friendly neighborhood. I climb out of my truck, patting the roof of my baby because she actually made the full journey and I make my way to the front door while taking a few deep, deep breaths on the way. Before I can even get close enough to knock, the door flies open and my brother comes barrelling out, running towards me at full speed. Thankfully he slows his pace before he makes contact with me, and I manage to hold my ground.

"I've missed you so much, Lo!" He tells me as his arms snake around my waist and squeeze me. I can tell that he's trying not to cry.

"I've missed you too, kid." We wait a little longer, both of us having missed this. "So, let me meet the amazing couple who manage to put up with you, somehow."

He only laughs, wiping his eyes before I can see any stray tears, and he takes my hand to lead me into the house that he now calls home. The nerves I felt on the way here quickly deteriorate as my brother gives me the tour of the house, the typical white picket fence type home, but seeing the smile on my brothers face puts an end to any doubts I have. That, and the closet full of new clothes, none of which have holes.

He doesn't let go of my hand until we're in the kitchen where I see a man and a woman, who look about ten years older than I am. They look happy and I can only hope that looks aren't deceiving, in this case.

"Ahh, Logan. It's wonderful to finally meet you! Kevin here speaks about you all the time." The woman tells me as she approaches, making Kevin blush. "I'm Clarissa and this is my husband Alan", she introduces me to her husband and we shake hands. "Dinner's ready, why don't you both wash your hands and then we can eat."

***

"Wow, Mrs Griffin, this is delicious."

"You're just like Kevin." She chuckles lightly. "I told you, Logan. It's Clarissa, and thank you." She smiles. I hate to admit it but she emits a real motherly vibe. After we've all finished, I try and help with the clean up, only to be pushed out of the kitchen by Clarissa.

"So, how are you liking it here?" I ask Kevin once we're left alone in his bedroom.

"I think I'm finally starting to settle in. It was hard at first, I felt like I didn't belong, like I was intruding but I guess I'm getting over it. I miss you though, I wish I could see you more." Kevin mumbles towards the end, letting his head drop.

"Hey, listen. You call me, whenever you feel out of place, or if you miss me. Don't ever feel like you can't call me."

Our talk goes back and forth like that for the next hour, until I realize it's almost 11PM and I gotta get home for early morning practise tomorrow.