Count On Me

V

Xavier:

"Excuse me?!" Cal says then, and his voice is angry and rough.

"Sandy Jones." I reply quietly. "Your wife. My sister." I state plainly.

I look back at the photo. I should've known. Sukie shadows her mother too; the same frame, face, hair, eyes. Except there's also the Cal in her, the fiery stance she has, the independence she carriers. She's not lost, not like Sandy.

"I think you need to leave." Cal says quietly, and I look back quickly. Sandy and I didn't look anything alike, but we shared a last name for a while.

"Yeah." I bite my lip, and Cal's eyes are angry and helpless. I'm not good at words. I never was. "Bye." I say quietly, then brush past Cal, the banister, and out the door to feel tears on my face.

I wipe them quickly. I haven't cried since Sandy died. So why now? Because I long to have my sister be alive? Because I long to find myself too?

I start driving back to a friends house. I didn't specifically have a home. I spent my lifetime at college, the other at work. I didn't stay at my parents house. I couldn't stand their cold stares, their unsatisfied manner, and especially their quizzing dinners. They used to always test me in the sciences, demanding that I become a doctor and carry on family tradition.

I pull into a driveway, a house that's painted a dark blue, the porch covered in assorted flowers and rocking chairs. I ring the doorbell and wait. I have a key, but I only use it for emergencies, and it's too early for anyone to fall asleep.

The swings open quickly, something that I've gotten used to here, and Elliot stands there grinning. He's got black and yellow checkered pants, and a red shirt with a white stripe through the middle.

"It's about time you came to see us." He says grabbing my collar and yanking me inside. I stumble in and Elliot shuts the door just as quickly. It slams loudly, almost shaking he whole house.

"Issac!" Elliot yells excitedly as he flies past me. I hear him bound up the stairs quickly, probably two at a time, and soon there's more doors opening and closing.

"Elliot, cool your jets!" Issac hollers from somewhere upstairs. Of course Issac and I both know that will never happen, once Elliot is riled up there's no stopping him. I hear a loud thump, probably Issac falling as Elliot tackles him.

I hear some shuffling, and soon enough Issac manages to get downstairs, an excited Elliot bouncing behind him.

"Xavier." He says grinning as he manages to make his way over, quickly pulling me into a hug. "You eat yet? We didn't have dinner so join us." He glances back at Elliot who is already rushing towards the kitchen. "I don't think you have a choice really." He adds.

"How's business?" I ask him as he leads me towards the kitchen.

"Good. Lots of numbers. I have to wear the same thing everyday. Carry a briefcase."

"Weird." I mutter

"Yeah." He agrees grinning to himself. I know Issac had gone through rough times, but since we've attended college together and got closer, he's gotten his life sorted out now.

"How's Elliot?" I ask quietly.

Issac glances quickly at the kitchen, checking to make sure Elliot won't immediately appear in front of us anytime soon. "Here and there. One of his backyard bunnies that we see behind the house has stopped coming and he's a bit nervous."

"Is it sick?" I ask.

Issac shrugs. "Not sure, really." He blushes. "Of course I bought him some flowers and he's been decorating the porch for a while."