Forever Siblings; come what may..

Chapter Six

Three bottles are down...two Black and White and one Gilbeys. One special thing about my family is the ability to overly drink without getting drunk. A tray of roasted ribs goes down with the bottles.
Birthdays!
Oris is dancing to Some old school reggae music with Rene. Truth is, reggae isn't Oris' music but today is Rene's birthday and she loves reggae to the moon and back. I never cease to think that she's so very old school- or uptight if you like it. She lets out a scream when her favourite note is hit and wow, she's so beautiful- my kid sister.

Allie is seated right opposite me looking at them and smiling. "Aren't they beautiful?"
"Sure they are! Wish this would last forever." I say. It is true. The only moments when we get to really connect without some chaos erupting between us is during birthdays and I so wish, everyday was a birthday in our house.

"Care for a dance Allie?" Oris asks Allie as he takes her hand, you would think his was a statement and not a question.  It is a special day and she won't say no, at least for the birthday girl. We all know that Allie is a party animal but when it comes to dancing, she develops two left feet.

Elex and I, are left seated at the table. This is what I like doing during birthdays- sit and watch my siblings enjoying themselves, especially my sisters. I am the only human being that seriously crushes on his sisters. They are super beautiful and elegant. I take pride in them.  Elex opens another Black and White and Rene literally runs out on them.
"You can't open this in my absence. It's my day." She tells us, filling her glass halfway and adding some hot water and some lemon pieces to it. She is glowing in a light foundation and some deep red lipstick.
"Slow ma'am." Oris tells her when she attempts huge gulps from her glass.
"It my..."
"Of course, it your birthday and we want you to be very sober- can't afford not receiving your gifts." Yes, indeed. The gifts' part is one of my favourite parts besides the wishes.
Rene groans sarcastically before placing the glass on the table.
"Let's begin." She says.

We all have our wishes written in blue note pads...we always use blue note pads but if you ask me the reason behind the colour, I swear I don't know. It's just but our tradition. We read the wishes aloud to each other. It is always a solemn moment.
When Allie's time to read out her wishes for us, she looks around us and smiles cheekly.
"To Oris my sweet twin... May you always know nothing but love from me."
So clichè.
We all in some kind, look for whatever Allie's wish to Oris would be. Love has become so clichèd and it does not interest us anymore. We look at each other as the two hug and well, who are we to question someone's wish! It's personal.

Rene wishes  Allie nothing but peace of mind, to Oris, she prays for the spirit to always understand Allie, to Elex, it's love from all of us and lastly, she hugs me with a whisper in my ears. "You know my all time wish, to always remain next to you." That's so selfish of her side but it's sweet to know that she doesn't want me far from her.

After the wishes, we join our hands around the table and say the grace. The food is yummy and I will never know what Oris' secret is. In all our birthdays, he does most of the cooking but insists on ordering deliveries of the main dishes. Delicious is an understatement. We dine and feast to Rene. We wish her good health, love, long life, and wisdom.

Allie and I clear the table, leaving only glasses and bottles. Oris does the cleaning with Elex and Rene just disappears in her room. Ten minutes later, Oris and Allie join us at the living room. We intentionally do country music to bring Rene out. She loves country music too...Dolly Parton is her idol and Kenny Rogers her crush.

"How strategic of you?" She asks as she joins us on the carpet, right beside me.
"Call it,knowing what you like." I whisper in her left ear and she technically pokes my shoulder. "Fuck you!"

We all love gifts, don't we?
She opens a small leather bag that she is holding on her thighs and...
What! It's all bracelets. They look beautiful but for heaven's sake, they are archaic. What is it with Rene's love for old things?
The original excitement in us almost dies at the sight of them. Given any chance, I would turn them down but that isn't possible.
I smile as she places mine in my palms. "Beautiful." Well, but I would rather she gave me something different. Ornaments are not my thing!

"They are special bracelets I got through a friend... I know you might not see anything special in them but trust you me, they are special to me and for you. They are ancient charms and... Of course, they do have protective powers. You will trample on vipers but they might, or wouldn't harm you. They are called The Dark Linen." She explains.

The Dark Linen? What a name for some beautiful ancient bracelets which have a protective charm.

"Rene" I say.

"Wait Coy, I am not done! You will always wear them on and this one I beg of you, if you aren't on them, then keep them close. For my sake." She says. When she exhales deeply, I know that I can now talk.

"I don't know you young sister." Allie tells her before I even speak.

"Me too." I add.

"Well, I am Rene the Sweet, Coy's words not mine. In my thirst for revenge and safety for my siblings I have gone deep in the dark world and this is the result." An hint of pride is in her voice.

She is my sweet sister and at the same time isn't.
"You didn't tell us anything Rene. This is not what we wanted and you know that. Mother won't be proud- just remember how she kept on teaching us about God." Allie counters.

"And who said this isn't Godly?" She asks in return, her tone a bit harsh. "Well, earlier today, Allie asked what my surprise for you guys would be. This is it." She says handing each of us a photo.
A medium height guy, whose hair is unkempt and eyes intense. For a moment, I find myself thinking that he looks handsome but I refrain from it.
"He's Ted, my friend and my...my...love!"

Holy hell!
Now that she has said it, I too can say it. He looks handsome and cute for her. She is the first person to introduce someone to us. A look at Oris, tells me that he's not buying anything like that.

"No, this can't be. Fuck him... " Oris curses throwing back the photo to Rene. I catch it before it falls. She is my sister and she can do what she wants with her life.
Just then, a knock comes through at the door and Oris gets up too fast to go get the door. Rene too swiftly, like a flash of lightening, gets up and before we know it, she's at the door before Oris. She turns to look at us.

"Father! He is here to cause havoc on my birthday. Please leave this to me."