“I was ghosting you last night because I was with someone else.” Brad said to Cynthia while running a hand through his hair. No wonder this guy is on a reality show.
“How can you watch this garbage? I mean seriously Brad.” I asked Eve as I forced myself to stop watching.
My sister turned toward me. “No one is holding you here against your will making you watch this with me”- she turned towards the clock- “for the past hour.”
Crap. I didn’t even need to glance towards the clock to know she was right. But I couldn’t tell her the real reason why I needed to keep an eye on her. Everything was just starting to go back to normal. As normal as life can be after our mother was murdered.
I reached for my headphones around my neck as I pressed play on my phone. I closed my eyes trying to remember what happened that night. The only clear memory I have involved me carrying my sister out of the house. I came home late and he was already there. I can’t remember what I saw in the kitchen that made me run to grab my sister and because no one will tell me I can’t imagine that I really want to remember.
A crumpled ball of paper hits my face pulling me out of my thoughts. I open my eyes and pull my headphones off.
“Do you know how to fix the tv?” Eve chucked me the remote control as she continued. “The episode was almost over. And I need to finish it before I can watch the reunion.”
I didn’t dare ask her what a reunion entailed and turned my attention to the television. It wasn’t broken.
No, I wished that was what happened. Instead I watched as the news reporter talked about an inmate escaping from custody during transportation to the prison. Standing now I watched the screen waiting for them to mention the inmate’s name or picture. Something to confirm that I was living my worst nightmare. His face filled the screen.
Before I could tell my sister to lock herself in the bathroom I heard a knock at the door. The knocking turned to pounding. I could tell by the petrified look on Eve’s face that she couldn’t move if she tried. Just as soon as the pounding started it, it stopped. Eve looked up at me.
“Quiet.” I whispered to her.
I moved closer to the door, trying my best to not make any noise. I didn’t think it would matter with how hard my heart was pounding. My hand reached out to the door handle but paused as he spoke.
“Come on. Didn’t you guys miss your dad?”