I stared at my step-brother, he looked more of dad and less identical to Taw. He was more handsome now too,
"Where's Ma?"
I ushered him inside, how come he didn't know about Ma's death. Does he even know Dad is dead too?
"Sit first"
I sat next to him, "where have you been?"
"Oh...um, I sort of ran away..."
"Why?"
"It's a long story, can I see Ma first?"
"You can't"
I picked at my fingers, it's been a while Ma was brought up
"Why's that?"
"She's dead, Keith"
Normally, I would have burst into a crying fit but here I was no tears, just a small sting in my chest.
"Oh, I'm so sorry. I just wanted to see her again and thank her"
"Dad too"
"...yeah, about time he died"
I shrugged, "I was about to cook, will you wait to eat?"
"Ah, nah. I have to head back. I don't want to miss the interplanetary cradle"
"You're living in another planet?"
"Yeah, and I'm guessing you're not living alone"
He pointed to the left over decorations and glue on the center table
"Oh, yeah"
"Creative kid you've got there, what class is he in now?"
"What? No, no I don't have a kid... yet, it's my friend's. No kids, he's an adult"
"Ooooh"
"Sorry for my assumption"
He stood up, patting down his clothes
"When will you come back again?"
"The holidays, I'm bringing my family"
"Oh my, you're married!"
He nodded with a big smile on his face, now that's a happy man.
"I'll treat you guys to my cafe's best!"
"You own a cafe?! That's impressive! I can't wait"
Keith slipped his hands into his pockets, his eyes trained on me
"It was nice coming back here, you were so small when I was last here...how's Eudora?"
"Married as well...I think, we had a fight and we haven't spoken since"
"Oh, Taw?"
"To be honest, we all just went our seperate ways after Dad's death"
"Hm"
He nodded towards the door, indicating his departure. I smiled and led him there.
He gave me his card and collected my phone number.
I dumped the card and saved his number as soon as he left.
The ocean breathers!
I quickly rushed to the kitchen to cut up the remaining ones.
By the time I was done, it was nearly evening. Dream had sent me a text saying the cafe might close a little late today.
I slumped on my bed, tired from all the arranging and cutting up of food.
My phone buzzed, it was Iun
Iun: should I come pick you up?
Me: no, I'm already home
No response.
I shrugged it off and shut my eyes.
A little nap would be nice