Enchanted: The Run

Chapter 9 & 10

Chapter 9

Dad and Yasmin were still asleep in the living room, Austin and I snuck upstairs to borrow some of my brother’s old clothes that dad had kept locked away.

“I didn’t know you had a brother?” Austin whispered.

“Yeah I do but we don’t talk to him because he’s in the army and I’ve learned not to talk about him because mum gets upset and I don’t think dad wants to listen, so I don’t talk about him to anyone unless he comes home which is hardly ever. I really miss him a lot!”

“Maybe I shouldn’t borrow his clothes?” Austin wasn't keen because he didn't want to offend or upset mum or dad - or me.

“No you can, dad buys him new clothes all the time but he keeps them at his office these are some that my brother didn’t like when he came home for my sixteenth and he never wore them and dad is trying to sell them so you can keep them if you like?" I whispered loudly as I handed him my brother's unwanted clothes.

"Where can I get changed?" Austin held up the clothes and looked a tiny bit embarrassed but I thought it was cute.

“You can get changed in the guest bathroom; I’m just going to pop into the shower in my bathroom.” I informed him.

I felt bad for not telling anyone that I have a brother considering what he does every day but I promised not to talk about him unless he’s coming home. I wanted to know more about my brother like: his favourite colour, what his personality is like, did he love me, was he smart, his hobbies and the list goes on and on and on...

The hot water washed away my worries, my brother should be spoken about he’s my brother, I know it’s upsetting but he’s still family and not invisible, I thought to myself. It was true. He's fighting for us and were not even talking about him! If that was me I would find that a little upsetting, disrespectful and rude.

I tip-toed downstairs to the kitchen table where Austin was sitting and waiting for me.

“Do you want some breakfast?” I asked.

“Toast will be fine please.” He whispered back.

Ten minutes later, dad then walked into the kitchen with Yasmin and they were laughing. That's the first time I've heard my dad laugh. I liked it. It was different from his busy personality.

“Morning, you’re up early.” Yasmin had a spring in her step and then she began to boil the kettle.

“Dad, Austin doesn’t have any new clothes that fit him, so I said he could borrow the clothes Mason didn’t want and you’re trying to get rid of them.” I said expecting him to go off on one, like when I didn't eat my broussel sprouts. I feel sick just thinking about them!

“No that’s fine.” He checked the newspaper for the weather (like usual), “in fact” he added, “how about I take you shopping for some clothes?”

“Are you sure, sir, I mean I don’t want to be disrespectful?” Austin was surprised as much as I was.

“No it was pay-day yesterday and I got a promotion.” Dad surprised me again.

“Meaning you bought the firm.” Yasmin gave me a cup of tea.

“So what do you think?” Dad asked.

As I took a mouthful of my tea I thought typical dad, only accepts a strong answer and as I swallowed my tea, Urgh this tea’s too strong; I’ll pour some milk in it to make it weaker.

“Only if you don’t mind, then that’ll great.” Austin was being very polite and smilely.

“What’s brought all of this on?” I asked as I poured some milk into my tea.