Memory Lane

Chapter 20: Set It All Free

(Song performed: Set It All Free by Scarlett Johansson. Inspired song: I'm Still Standing by Elton John. Mentioned song: Somewhere over the Rainbow, La Cucaracha)

Whatever it takes.

Falcon was surprised when Miguel gave her a big hug when they both came out of their rooms that bright Saturday morning. She was, well, up with her pets when he came back the previous night, cleaning out their cages. She was not in any mood to do any music, though he could hear heavy rock blasting through the door.

"Good morning to you too," Falcon muttered, returning the hug. Her voice sounded husky from sleep, though Miguel suspected she might not have had any.

"Thank you for today."

"For what?" Falcon asked, pulling back to look at her brother.

"For supporting me." Miguel would not cry. He was a big boy. He will not need his big sister to come and get him tissue.

Falcon pulled away, with a bright smile. "No prob, bob."

Their parents looked up at them that morning, cocking their heads at the siblings. "You're very positive today."

"Don't ruin it," Falcon grinned.

"So what's this about the performance?" their father asked.

"It's for an event, presenting local talents in the neighbourhood," Miguel enthusiastically said.

"Does it help your studies?"

"Well- I... no...?"

"What a waste of time."

Miguel sank in his seat. He wanted to follow in Falcon's footsteps and join the school choir. But their parents had decided it was not worth it, something like the event could happen again. Also, they said the choir was for girls only.

So he joined basketball instead. It was fun and all, but he was unhappy. His skills were great, but his interest was few. He was defiant about his parents' sort of open homophobia.

"You need to study, Miguel," their mother said. "Otherwise you wouldn't have a good job."

"I have been scoring well..." Miguel shifted. "I got 19/20 for an Additional Mathematics test and 98/100 for a Physics test."

"That's good, but you can't be complacent."

They're not asking about the operation, even though they are perfectly aware of their kids being in danger.

"You're not going out."

Falcon spat out the water she had been drinking. "Sorry, what?"

"We will not put you in danger by putting you out there even with the police."

"He needs to do this, he can't ditch the performance," Falcon protested.

"The performance is not important as his studies and his safety. You don't want him to get hurt, right?"

"Leave me be, dad," Miguel grumbled.

Falcon's leg was shaking, a habit she never shook off. It was prevalent every time she sat down.

"Stop that, Falcon, it's very unladylike."

Falcon stopped, but resumed doing it. Their mother placed a heavy hand on the shaking leg, effectively stopping it, but made the other leg move.

"Stop it. No one will want to sit next to you if you keep shaking your leg."

She stopped shaking, but evidently she grew very restless in her seat, shifting and squirming. Sometimes she would be tapping the table, cracking her knuckles, rubbing her hands together. She was trying very hard not to shake her leg.