Every Breath You Take

30

"Oh god, I think I'm going to be sick!"

Well, that sure sounds familiar...

"Oh, shut up! My driving skills are awesome! Suck on that Lightning McQueen!" My brother yelled, smirking to himself as he hit the break about a thousand times.

The stoplight was 12 feet ahead of us and Aiden was pumping the break, making the car jerk forward every second until I was sure I was turning green. I felt like this car was in one of those stupid hip-hop videos where the car bounces or goes on its hind wheels or whatever!

"The stoplight is up there! Don't pump the break like that or you're going to break my car!" I pointed an accusing finger at him, narrowing my eyes dangerously, "And if you break my car, I'll break you, buck-o!"

"I'm not going to break your damn car!" Aiden scowled, finally stopping his stupid lurching.

Thank god. My eggs weren't sitting right in my stomach.

So far, my morning had gone pretty well... that was all until I decided to let Aiden test drive my baby! I was going to kill when once I stopped having the urge to puke all over him.

"Hey, is dad alright?" Aiden blurted, his brows sinking down his nose as he continued driving. "He didn't look so good this morning and I don't think he even thought about coming to work today...which is totally unlike dad."

Dad needed sleep and rest. It took a lot of convincing, but he eventually realized I was right. The boys were ready for this week's game, one day off wasn't going to kill him or the guys. And over everything, football and the championships, dad's health came first.

My fingers fiddled with the end of my braid, twisting the loose strands around my finger and letting it unravel. "Dad was in his office again..."

It didn't take Aiden even a second to realize what that meant.

Whenever mom's anniversary came around the corner like it was now, dad always found himself spread along her little rug, looking at our pictures. 

Aiden cursed under his breath, taking one hand off the wheel and running it through his hair. "Shit."

"Keep both hands on the wheel!" I screamed as the car lurched a little on the road. I glared at him.

"I took it off for a second!" My brother glared back at me.

I threw my hands in the air, "Doesn't matter! A second is all it takes for you to get into a car accident or kill someone!" Exasperated, I let my head slam back into the headrest.

Dad better not get him a car anytime soon...

My brother shook his head dismissing my last comment altogether. And I probably would've bashed his head in a few times if it weren't for the question he asked next. "Is he alright?" Aiden glanced at me again.

I don't think any of us were really 'alright' whenever mom's anniversary came around, but every year we made it together.

"Yeah... He will be."

Silence fell along the car until all I heard was the wind whispering as it hit the moving car and the softest melody of my favorite oldies radio station playing.

"Did dad...say anything about her anniversary?" My brother asked quietly. The car suddenly felt suffocating.

I shook my head, "No. No, he didn't." Aiden swallowed again, his eyes slowly zoning out as if he were thinking about something. "Why?"

Aiden shook his head, "Nothing..."

My brows furrowed.

Did he want dad to say something in particular? Maybe he was wondering if Isaac was coming out, but he always did. We always went as a family to see mom.  Maybe Aiden just wanted confirmation...