Always There

The Carter Kids

When I was just eight years old my father had commited suicide, nobody understood why, he was always so happy...on my ninth birthday I was called to the office, my mother had commited suicide...people said it was from despair. I tried to look happy in front of my friends but deep down in my heart, I knew, I'd never feel normal again. I would always fight back the tears, I just wanted to tell my father goodbye, and then my mother.  A family member took me in but then, she died in a car accident. I got bad depression then, but, by time I was twelve I finally forgave everyone for leaving me and even though the pain was horrible, I finally started healing. Then grandpa took me in, he died from natural causes when I turned 15. I knew it wasn't their fault for dying but, it felt that way, and I was sick of it, so I bought myself  a home after going to school all morning and worked all night and finally, I had saved up enough for a home when I was 16.

My neighbors had a large family, complete with 16 sons and one daughter. They've always been kind to me, I recognized one of the sons but didn't think too much of it.

Their kids names are Ben, Daniel, Eric, Brendon, Dominic, Evan, Markus, Lucas, Axel, Clyde, Carmen, Luke, Romeo, Austin, Zachary, Xena, and Sebastian. It always shocked me how close we were all in age, I always questioned 'how?' But then it was Sebastian who told me.

He laughed and told me "We have four different moms Chi! And little Austin here's adopted!" he then ruffled his brothers hair. Im envious of them, I was an only child so I never had the experience of having siblings.

Oh...did I neglect to mention I'm close and have been close to the Carter kids since I moved in. I adore their mother or stepmother or whatnot. She has always treated me like family.

Like, she once treated me to coffee, that doesn't sound like much, but, it was everything to me.

That day she smiled at me and always asked "Chizuru! What do you think of Ben?" or "Chizuru! What do you think of Sebastian?"
And so on, I honestly think shes trying to hook me up with her sons, but even so, shes so kind and thoughtful. Shes such a happy woman and she adores her sons even if they're not her real sons, even if they're a result of an affair. She doesn't treat one any different than the other. I'm jealous.

The first time she called me by my nickname, Chi, I felt like I was apart of her big, insane, happy family. Its just a comfortable feeling I guess.

She first called me Chi when I was helping her with spring cleaning. She flexed like that woman you sometimes see on cleaners. She told me "Let's do it Chi! We got this! Were young and old beautiful women!" I laughed and smiled
The boys mother, Josephine just smiled at me and then laughed
"You thought I was calling you young. Please! I'm the youngest thing since....I forgot." She then just laughed her sweet laugh

Something that made me also feel comfortable was when Axel hugged me, I guess its not much because Axel hugs everyone...even the mailman. But still. It felt nice.

They all have their own ways to greet me
Ben will just wink and say "hey Chi!"
Daniel will just smile, act like he's special and just yell "Chizuru!"
Eric will just play his piano, until I interrupt him, he just smiles looking at his piano and says "Welcome Chi."
Brendon not the...nicest person in all the world but I still care about him. He'll just look at me and wave.
Dominic has usually just finished fighting Austin. He waves, Dominic won't talk much.
Evan will tell me a stupid joke, I'll laugh and he says.."welcome home Chi." It feels nice when he says that.
Markus is usually drawing but he gets up just to smile at me.
Lucas will just kiss my hand and smile he'll say "greetings and salutations Chi!"
Axel will hug me and just yell "Chi! Chi! I missed you." You wouldn't think it but Axel is actually the exactly same age as me, older by six months actually.
Clyde would probably beating Daniel and Ben in a dumb basketball game but waves.
Carmen will say hi and ask me about my day until it ends up being a three hour conversation.
Luke would be planting something or picking something. Luke loves the outdoors. He'll ask me for assistance but then correct everything I do, its still nice.
Romeo does the familys taxes. I have no idea why they would allow a 15 year old to do that, but I guess he is very smart. I mean he takes junior classes.
Austin likes to act tough but I know he's a big softie. But still he'll just say "yo, Chu!" Or "Sup Chu!" Only he calls me Chu, I hate it but what do you do?
Zachary, Xena and Sebastian usually are hanging out with one another even though they're practically polar opposites. They'll say Hey,Yo,  or How are you Chi.

I can't wait to start school with them.