Destined

Twenty Six

Andrew

We were only kids when we all met when we became inseparable when we went through puberty. I watched Alex struggle with his home life, we thought since he had his brother that maybe he'd be okay. Then Hailey came into the picture, she became a part of the group, and so the two of us thought they may just make it. Alex was suddenly an entirely different person, he believed in hope and love for once in his life. He had fallen for Hailey quicker than a Nascar racer whereas she took a little longer but that didn't stop him. He was the perfect boyfriend to her, we all knew it, and at a point, I almost thought he was better than I was.
They lasted two years and the breakup took everything out of him. Jo and I had just gotten used to having him home, we should've known better. A week after the split he was gone again. Where to, we don't know, he never told us. I always kept in contact with his brother just in case Alex called home to Tyler or informed him something about the wild adventure. None of us knew when to expect him to leave or when he'd be back. Waiting was the worst part. However, every time he'd show back up he always brought home some small trinket with him. We treasured the objects way too close to how we treasured him. It was all we had while he was gone. Jolene and Tyler saw what Alex picking up and taking off did to me. I'm pretty sure I took it the hardest out of everyone but he and I were better brothers than what he and Tyler were.
Alex did three more disappearing acts before Jolene finally married me and eventually got pregnant, shortly after. We were eager to start a life together. Once we bought a home, Alex offered to move in to help with our beautiful baby girl and of course, we accepted. We would've been crazy to decline. She was about to turn one when he spent the entire day out. He packed his things, at the door Jolene asked him why he was doing this and all he said was "I'm sorry" before leaving. This last time was the longest I had gone without seeing or hearing from my best friend but I knew we'd see him again. We have a life bond that none of us would ever be able to give up. She doubted it for while and that was her mistake because here he is.
Sure many things have occurred since he got home but what life doesn't have hiccups? If I have to be honest, I'm confused why he and Evelyn are having difficulties getting along or at least on the same page. Before he left, the two of them had a bond close to what we three have. He loved her and cared for her with everything in him. Maybe it's because he missed so many defining moments in her life or because they both have such strong personalities but I hope for nothing other than them to reach a mutual understanding.
My darling child sits beside me, looking at me with questioning eyes. I raise my one eyebrow as if asking what she's needing. "Daddy, can you tell me something about Alexander?" This was a good thing, a step in the right direction I think.
"What would you like to know?"
"Anything. Something of when he was my age or younger maybe."
I look in my mind for any good or interesting information about my best friend before I settle on one thing. "Well, that'll be hard for me to do. He's always been a very closed off person because he's been through so much. I do know, however, that when he was about fourteen his mom passed away." Her eyebrows scrunched, sorrow filled her expression.
"How?"
"Overdose. Drugs and alcohol, that kind of stuff. Even though the two weren't that close, he appeared to be affected worse than expected. Got up and left for a few weeks, but you know she was still his mom and I think anyone would have a hard time watching their mom waste away and suddenly not be here anymore. Why do you ask?"
"He's a stranger. It sounds and seems like you hardly know your best friend but yet you still allow him to stay with you. You take him in and care for him without a blink of an eye."
"He's got a good heart and pure intentions always has and always will. But like you said, he's my best friend and Pumpkin, you never turn your back on a best friend. They're far too important."
"But daddy-"
"Baby, you'll learn soon enough. Trust me. There may have been times he wouldn't open up or he'd leave but I know more about him than you do and much more than you'd think. In time you'll learn some things too. Alex to me is Lia to you." I put it in a way I hope she'll understand. She nods and sits next to me in silence for the next half hour before making her way to her room.
"I'm concerned with the lack of noise I heard in here. Especially since she was in here." Alex expresses to me whilst leaning against the frame of the non-existent door to the living room.
"Nothing to worry about, she only wanted to know things about you."
"What'd you tell her?" He was suddenly interested but in a worrying way. I saw his body tense up when his words hesitantly left his mouth.
"I told her about your moms passing and how you left for a bit after it. That's all so you can relax your shoulders now. I don't get why you don't want her knowing anything about you. You get upset when she doesn't try to get to know you and when she assumes that necklace is from me but then you refuse to open up."
"She'll use it against me in our little game. She likes to think she knows me and if you give her information, she'll use it as ammo. I can't let that happen."
"You're insane, you know that? She could learn about you and maybe that would stop the arguing, it could progress your relationship. Get you back to where you were before."
"Before?"
"Before you left, Alex." He gulps and turns towards the arched window.
"Whatever, it's better than being brainwashed by the world." He ignores my wish even though I know it's something that even he wants. "So," Alex comes to sit on the arm of the loveseat, arm resting on the back of the couch, "Andrew, how's my brother been doing? I didn't ask when I showed up but I meant to and I have a feeling you see him every now and again." He's right, his brother and I meet up once a month and have since he ran off. If he's asking me how he's been he clearly hasn't seen him yet but with all the free time he has, I don't understand why he wouldn't meet up with him.
"You haven't seen him since you've been back?" I ask to make sure my assumptions are correct.
"Not exactly."
"What do you mean not exactly, why not?" His shoulders fall and I know he's about to give me his truth.
"I don't know the first thing I'd say to him, plus, I don't think he'd be too happy with me for ditching and not checking in. What would I say? 'Hey, yeah, haven't seen you in about sixteen years - maybe seventeen - I lost count. How've you been?' That doesn't seem like it'd go over well to me."
"He loves you and misses you, he won't be mad. Well, maybe he will be until he sees you. You don't even need to say anything, just see him."
"Andrew, I don't know. It's been so long."
"If you can come back here, you can go back home to him too."
"You guys are my home, not him."
"You share blood, he's a part of your home, whether that be large or small." His head shakes, his hand running over his mouth then running through his hair. "Well then," I stand, "that settles it. We'll all go over tonight so you better prepare yourself for a family reunion."
"Dude, do not make me do this." My feet find their way beside him, my hand resting on his shoulder, eyes meeting his.
"You cannot live your life avoiding Tyler. He's spent this time just as worried as I was."
"Avoiding him has worked just fine up until this point so I'd very much like to disagree with you on that."
"Please shut up and ready yourself while I go call him." I squeeze his shoulder, walking out of the room and to the kitchen where my wife sits at the island looking comfortable reading through her newest cookbook. "I'm calling Tyler and asking to stop by tonight. I don't know if you're wanting to come with." Jolene sends me a warm smile. She and Tyler have always gotten along well which worked well when I was moping around without my magician of a best friend.
"I'll go make sure Evelyn and I are ready."