Ch.2-My Crazy Family

I pulled up to the side of the curb next to my house. Turning off the ignition I looked up to the small two story home on Fort Cater Street. I noticed the red convertible in front of me and the silver Passat in the drive way. I smile grew wider as I hoped out of my truck and locked the doors. I walked fast to the front door and flung it open.

“Roxanne?!” I yelled at the top of my lungs. I waited a couple of seconds before I heard the sound of small feet running on the hard wood floors. I soon saw two small brown pigtails flying into view and two bright blue eyes sparkling. I knelt down ready to catch anything that was flung my way.

“Belle!” the little girl squealed as she flung herself on me. I picked her up and spun around letting her toothless grin grow as wide as mine.

“Roxie! I’ve missed you so much sweetie!” I hugged her tight to me.

“Belle.” Her laughter was muffled. “I can’t breathe.”

I laughed and set her down. She began to whine and held her arms out again. I sighed and picked her back up, carrying her on my left hip.

“Where’s your momma?” I asked the 4 year old girl.

“Living room” she replied as she laid her small head on my shoulder. I kissed the top of her forehead before walking to the living room.

When I entered through the door way I laughed at the sight. My brother-in-law and brother were wrestling on the floor for what seemed to be the remote. Whilst my dear sister yelled at them from her seat on the sofa.

“Elijah! Quite being so immature! Cruz! Get up this instant!” She yelled throwing a near by pillow at them. Her beautiful face was grim as they didn’t seem to hear her.

“Don’t even bother Sae. You know they won’t listen.” I laughed from the door way. Her eyes flickered to my face and her expression lightened as her lips curved up to a smile.

“Lise!” My sister exclaimed. She was the only one that called me by my middle name. I laughed at her attempt to get up. Not very well.

I set my reluctant niece down on the ground and went to help my poor pregnant sister. I pulled her arm which somehow made the rest of the body respond with it. She pulled me into an awkward side hug.

“How is my baby sister?” She smiled warmly at me.

“Fine.” I smiled simply.

“Just fine?” She queried me more.

“Just fine” I winked.

She leaned forward. “You’ll tell me later then?” she whispered.

I nodded and looked toward the two boys on the floor. I walked over while Elijah had Cruz in a headlock. I bent down to the familiar black object and yanked it from their grasp. They both looked up in shock. I strolled over and sat down next to my sister who had seated herself back onto the sofa.

“You wouldn’t hurt a girl sitting next to a pregnant woman would you?” I smiled innocently. Both the guys growled under their breathes and got up off the floor. I turned to see my sister chuckling next to me.

“You can have the remote. I’m going to go up stairs for awhile.” I told her handing it over. She looked at me once and nodded.

I jogged to the garage and opened the door. My hand searched the wall in the midst of complete darkness and found the light switch. Light filled the empty room and I walked across to another door. The knob was cold as I twisted the metal in my hand. When the door opened I switched the light to that room on too. Instantly my room came into view. Yes my room was an add on to the garage but I loved it. The hard wood floors, the beige walls and coffee colored furniture. My leather couch was backed up against the wall with the only window. A coffee table in front of it and facing the coffee colored entertainment center. My bed was a mixture of Browns, beige, and greens some how got mixed in there. I walked over to my stereo and put in a CD. Music flowed easily through my speakers as I sat down in front of my computer. I checked my email and various other things. I then sat back and listened to the music. Thinking of Romeo and Juliet. He made good points but usually my opinions were rock solid. I didn’t believe in love. Not since…

I sat back up and made a frustrated noise. I buried my face in my hands for a moment. Romeo and Juliet. Classic love story with a tragic ending. What if Juliet had imperfections? And Romeo told her he didn’t care. What if Rosaline was perfect and secretly, Romeo craved her more than he thought he craved Juliet? What kind of a story would that be? Shakespeare probably wouldn’t be in our text books if that were the case. I used to believe so strongly in love. That used to be my favorite love story. The bonds of two people, who are connected in a way so deep, that they would give their lives rather than to be without each other. Well that memory for me is just that. A memory. Nothing more. I read the background off my computer.

“The pain has ceased

For true love is a lie

And it slowly fades…

Slowly fades away.”

Who would want Juliet if she was a total wreck? Paris? No, not even he would want to repair the damage Romeo left. So what am I to say tomorrow? He’ll be expecting a rebuttal. I’ll have to think of something good. That look in his eyes, they seemed so distant and determined at the same time.

My thoughts were scattered as there was a knock on my door. I grabbed my remote and lowered the volume on the stereo before yelling for the person to enter. The door slowly opened and my mom and sister walked through the door.

“Sorry to interrupt your mad scientist moment.” My mother smiled. That’s what they call it when I lock myself in my room and turn on the music to think. I was basically a recluse when that happens.

“You seem to have a lot on your mind Lise.” My sister commented as she seated herself on my couch. My mother took over my bed as I leaned back in my seat.

“Just Romeo and Juliet.” My smile was sarcastic and empty. I thought I saw my sister cringe.

“Great story.” My mother commented.

I shrugged. “Not so much. We’re talking about it in English.”

“You use to love that story.” My sister looked at me with worried eyes.

“Use to. Not anymore. In fact, I’m in a debate with a guy in that class over the death scene.” I replied casually. We then heard the garage door being opened and a car rolling into it.

“Uh oh. Better go start dinner.” My mother got up and brushed herself off as she went to go meet my dad. She stopped and leaned over to plant a kiss on my forehead. She then turned around and repeated the action to Savannah.

As soon as she left, my sister began on my case again.

“What’s bothering you?” She asked seriously.

“Why would you think anything is bothering me?” I looked at her with interest.

“You look troubled.”

“Are you trying to say I look like crap today Sae? Well thank you, I do try you know.”

“You are so sarcastic! Be serious Lise. I just want to know.” My sister’s fine complexion was beginning to crease in frustration.

I chuckled. “Don’t get your hopes up Sae. I’m fine. My worries and thoughts aren’t something you or the baby can handle right now.”

She mad a sour looking face and then relaxed. “You are just like dad you know?”

I laughed out loud this time. “Wow, where have I heard that one before?”

“Yeah I know. I’ve heard it to. Now what do you say to helping with dinner?” She smiled evilly at me.

“I say Adios!” I turned my back to her while waving my hand good bye.

“Okay well can you at least help a pregnant woman up?”

I sighed. “I guess.” I dodged a pillow before it could get to my head. I laughed and pulled her up off the couch.

“What did I tell you before?” I asked still holding her hand.

“I don’t want to repeat it!” She whined. I gave her a playful/stern look.

She sighed. “Don’t sit down in places that can make me sink into where I can’t get up.” Her head was bowed.

I laughed. “That’s my girl.” I gave her another sideways hug and led her to the door.

“Give me 30 minutes and I’ll come help you guys.” I winked and closed the door.

I grabbed the remote off my desk and turned the music up higher again. I then proceeded to lie down on my bed and stare at the ceiling. Romeo and Juliet? What else is there to say? My sister got her happily ever after? But would I ...No. Never. I was something nobody wanted. Something torn and trashed. Like a burnt photo album of good memories. Or as Sabz put it, “Love Nazi”. I turned over onto my stomach and my head hit the pillow beneath me. The thought of melting the ice barriers around my tattered heart crossed my mind. Maybe some day I could find someone to prove me wrong. Until then, my faith in love…slowly fades away.