Dreams We Had

Chapter Twelve - Kian Miki

That night as I lay in bed, I stared blankly up at the ceiling. I wasn't sure what to do. Actually. I wasn't sure if there was anything I could do. She wanted to go back; back to the home I never thought we'd return to. And, honestly, I wanted to go on the trip just as badly as she did, but it was a matter of getting the money to go. The only way would be to go back to our aunt and uncles place and try to convince them to give me some of the inheritance money.

The next morning I got up early, took a shower, and got dressed up in my old black uniform pants, a grey button up shirt, and a blue tie. Normally, I wouldn't have dressed quite that formal just to go over there, but it was the only way I could get Mr. Carlton to take me serious and treat me like the adult I was. I grabbed my keys and slipped out of the apartment. On the ride over to our old house I rehearsed what I was going to say over and over. To say I was nervous was an understatement. I slowly walked up the driveway, staring down at my feet and counting the weeds peeking up through the pavement, trying to stall for time. Our old house was the typical suburban house with cream-colored stucco siding and a three-car garage. The lot was big and well groomed with various flowers and small trees. I stood at their door, taking a breath before ringing the doorbell once. After a few minutes Sheerly appeared at the door. She was wearing a white monogrammed robe that matched her silver-blonde, overly dyed hair.

"Huh? K-Kian? Why are you here?" She stuttered, moving out of the way to let me inside. She seemed extremely concerned and confused.

"I just need to speak with Mr. Carlton about the inheritance money. I know he said never to come back, but..."

"Okay, Okay. I'll go get him right now. Go sit down." She sighed, scurrying up the stairs. The living room was to the left of the foyer and down one single step, much like a den or something. I stepped down and into the room, sitting down on the couch like she had instructed me to do. As I sat down I ran my hand along the arm, thinking about all the memories that that old couch alone held. There was stain on the left arm where, at her ninth birthday party, Momo had tripped and spilt a glass of grape juice. On the right cushion, there was a bloodstain from when Kayden, Momo, and I decided to go sledding down the stairs on the lid to Mo's toy box. About half way down I flew off, hit my head on the railing, and had to get seven stitches. Nothing about the room had changed. I hadn't expected it to. I turned around just as Carl strolled into the room. He seemed to have just woken up and was not happy that I had woken him. I quickly stood up, keeping a stiff stance.

"Kian Brandon Miki, well I'll be damned! I can't believe you came running back so soon." He said in a rough, husky tone. The manner in which he said my name was like a punch in the stomach, mocking and crude. I awkwardly laughed under my breath.

"Well. Uh. Surprise. I'm here."

"What do you need? Sheerly said you had a question about your inheritance." He asked, sitting in the chair across from me. I swallowed hard.

"Yeah. That's right. Okay, well, you see, Mo really wants to go back to Japan and talk with some relatives, y'know to get some closure for us, see some places, and-" I began, trying my best to speak in the most formal tone I could whilst maintain eye contact. His deep frown, thick eyebrows, and wrinkled face were intimidating.

"And you want me to fund it instead of you growing up and paying for it yourself! God! Moving you out was supposed to make you mature, but you still act like a child! Running home to ask me for money! Who do you think you are?" He cussed, throwing his arms up in frustration.

"No. That's not what I'm saying!"

"Then what are you trying to say?"

I took another big breath. "First off, that money is ours, not yours, and all I'm asking is that you allow me enough money from the account that we can go on this trip and have a decent time! We won't have to pay for a hotel or really anything! Only the plane tickets and spending money!" I tried to explain. 

He gave me a disapproving look and mumbled, "This trip you speak of is a luxury" under his breath.

"No, it's not! It's all for closure. You don't understand what it's like to be pulled from a home, a life, and never get answers. Both Momo need's a more in-depth explanation of the situation that we can only get from these relatives!" I argued. He truly didn't understand at all what I was trying to say, and it was frustrating.

"Look kid, the answer is still no."

I bit my tongue. I knew cussing him out was not the wise choice. I wanted to. But I wouldn't.

"Carlton, sweetie." Sheerly cut in, trying to get him to agree to my request. In return, he shot her a dirty look from across the room. I saw my opportunity to speak.

"You need to understand that it's our money, and I understand that you are still in control of the account, but I'm eighteen and technically speaking, I can use it for whatever I want. At this point it's mine. This is really important to her as well as me. All right?" I began to raise my voice. Mr. Carlton glared over towards Sheerly, who was standing behind me, and bit his tongue.

"You know, you've always been a real pain in the ass." He growled. "I am not wasting my money on you ignorant kids!"

"It's not your money! It's ours! I could, in theory, get lawyers involved in this, if that's the route you'd like to take." I threatened. It was a hollow threat, but enough to provoke him. He stood up.

"Try me! And when you lose and are left with nothing don't come crying to me! Go ahead! Fuck yourself over! Mess up your poor sister's life some more, would ya?"

I felt a pain in my chest, a stab. At that very moment, Sheerly slapped Mr. Carlton's arm so hard that you could have probably heard it from a mile away.

"Carlton. Would you cut it out? Let these poor children go back and see their family. Would you just consider their feelings for once? This is important to them! Kian, sweetie, you're taking your sister on this trip. The only condition is that when you get back home you need to pay at least half of the money back, got it? I will let you and Carlton discuss the exacts of the deal later. Do you understand?" She stepped in, standing up for me.

"Understood." I nodded.

"Fine. I agree to those terms. Sheerly and I will work with you to set everything up since you don't have the means to do so. Now, go home and tell your sister the news. Goodbye Kian." He stood up and left the room leaving Sheerly and I in awkward silence. She sat down where he had been sitting and placed her hands in her lap, making me feel like I was intruding.

"Well. I'm going to get going." I said, standing up. She slightly bobbed her head in agreement as I walked out the door. I nearly sprinted across the driveway. I was just so happy and so relieved. Momo had always complained about not knowing anything about our parents, but she never knew them as well as I did since she was so much younger. She didn't know what it felt like to dream about them and wonder about them, or maybe she did. I didn't really know. I was just so excited to go home. There were no words to describe it. And the moment I got in the car I nearly started crying.

We were really going home.