Our Sick Inheritance (editing)

Chapter 25 - That Wicked Sweater

Jake cut the engine and was amazed at the quietness. Half of the Christmas lights on the block had been turned off, his house included. Stacy still sat quietly next to him continuously rubbing the arms of the sweater she borrowed from Anna like you would want to do to the softest pet in the world.

"If you are going to sit out here all night, be sure the lock the doors before you come inside." Jake said as he exited the cab with Stacy mimicking his actions. They walked side by side up to the front door.

"I can't help it. It is so beautiful. I wonder if this is how mom and dad felt when I was born lying naked in their arms." Stacy said still rubbing her arms as she walked. "Happy and perfect."

Jake laughed not letting his brain catch up as he teased his sister.

"After the hell you put mom through I am sure happy and perfect wasn't the immediate vibe in the room."

"Shut up, that's not true. Though I am sure labor hurt, that pain immediately went away the moment they saw me. All bad thoughts must have disappeared and a glorious haze of heaven filled the air. You've heard how mom tells it."

Jake laughed again too tired to think.

Inside the house was dark that he could see, with an exception of a light to the right at the back of the house where the kitchen was located. Jake smiled. He knew where his father was. Luna who must have been let outside to pee came around the corner to check out who was home. She rubbed up against Jake with a slight nudge that almost knocked him over. He loved how big and regal Luna was. Jake stroked her beautiful coat without having to bend over much to do so.

Stacy was heading towards the front door which would have access to staircase that led to her room.

"Don't you think you should say hi to Dad before you go to bed in that sweater?" Jake asked and waved for her to follow him to the back door of the kitchen.

"Oh, yeah." Stacy replied in a trance. It seemed his sister was still angry about Harmony running off with who she had gone to Bryce's party to meet. Jake shook his head.

Stacy past Jake who found and threw a ball for Luna to chase down before she threw the door open into the kitchen with more force than necessary. Jake was sure she was doing it for dramatic effect for their father, but he was afraid that she was going to give him a heart attack. Jake ran into his sister who had stopped just inside the door.

Kyle was staring at something in front of him with a pink covered cupcake standing upside down on his toes. Jake was shocked when his dad looked up and stared into his eyes. Jake didn't like the frozen expression on his father's white face and thought he looked older for a minute. It was obvious his dad had been startled. He didn't know what Kyle was startled by and wasn't acknowledging their arrival. The same discomfort wasn't noticed by Stacy as she had swished by Kyle in her anger and failed to notice the same thing Jake was seeing.

"Dad are you ok?" Jake asked. "Have you been drinking?"

Kyle broke his nose in a scuff with a runner on the job several years before, so his glasses always looked tilted since the dent was on the side of his slightly smaller ear. It was obvious when he drank because the glasses were pushed farther back up his nose making the difference noticeable.

Kyle must have forgotten he was wearing them and removed them to put into his pocket. Kyle looked at the kids not really seeing them then with his face returning its color as heat rushed up his body he grabbed the nearest rag and cleaned up the rest of his mess as he greeted the kids.

Stacy went to the refrigerator and poured herself a glass of milk. She grabbed the note their mom left for their dad and laughed, then handed the note to Jake who laughed also.