A Twist Of Fate (PREVIOUSLY A Purple Garden)

Chapter 11

Walking into the kitchen, Sydney could see her brother standing outside on the porch. Their mom was seemingly still in bed but she herself couldn't sleep. After the short nap her body generously let her take, her mind resumed it's racing from the events of the night before.

When Lucas brought Sydney home, it was only a little after 1:00 that morning and even though he had just called her maybe 20 minutes prior, Jeremy was already asleep on the couch when she came in.

Unsure how the conversation was going to go, she collected herself best she could and made her way to join her brother on the porch. The screen door creaked as she pushed it open. Not a muscle in Jeremy even tensed at the noise. He looked completely relaxed and still as he stood leaning against the railing of the porch, watching the cars pass by, their drivers out and about as they got a start to their day.

Sydney moved to stand beside him, leaning comfortably against the wooden railing like he was. He didn't even turn his head in her direction. "Good morning," she greeted, pulling the hoodie she had thrown on tighter to her.

"Morning," he said in a flat tone.

She inspected his side profile, his face completely flat aside from the way his jaw was visibly set. "Are you mad at me?"

His jaw relaxed as he shook his head, not tearing his eyes away from the morning traffic that flew past. "No. I'm not mad. I just didn't expect for you to be out late. It's not like you. I was worried."

"I know," she agreed. "I should've called."

"Called. Texted. Just something." His voice was still flat as he listed off options to her as if she could rewind time and change something. "You've just never been the type to stay out past 9pm."

Although she was a night shift nurse, this was true. Outside of work where she pulled twelve hour shifts until 7:00 am, she really wasn't much of a night owl. "I know."

"Oh well," he began after a long pause. "You're alive so I guess I shouldn't berate you too much. Care to share what happened? What kept you you out at a sports bar until after midnight?"

Sydney couldn't lie to Jeremy. She knew he'd see right through it. "I wasn't at Bdubs the entire time," she admitted. She couldn't contain the smile that lit up her lips.

That made him turn to face his sister. She met his dark wide eyes. "Oh, no," he groaned dramatically. "Syd, I specifically told you 'not to do what I wouldn't do'." He emphasized, gesturing with his hands.

Chuckling at her animated brother, she shook her head. "It's not what you're thinking."

"Okay look," he began, his voice matter-of-fact. "I really don't care what you do. I mean I do, but you're an adult. Just be responsible and don't get killed, okay? You're not stupid."

"Woah. What do you think I did?" Sydney asked, now amused more than anything.

Jeremy shrugged. "I don't know. Out smoking pot?"

She chuckled more as she made a face as if to ask 'Are you stupid?' "You think I was out doing drugs?"

"Well I don't now," he pointed out, a faint smile creeping on his face. "So tell me, what were you actually doing? I suck at guessing."

Her grin came back. "I ran into someone I used to know."

"Dear God." Jeremy groaned again as he started massaging his temples. "That's worse."

"How's that worse than drugs?" Sydney laughed but her brother ignored her.

"Just please tell me it wasn't Jonathan."