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“Well…” I start, but SJ quickly intervenes.
“We don’t know yet, but she’ll be here as long as I am.” SJ’s tone changes from playful to more serious, and everyone at the table reacts to the change. His shoulders tighten as he continues to eat.
“I was just asking a simple question, big bro. No reason to get all grumpy about it,” Sam says. She looks at me. “You know, I almost called him the Jolly Green Giant a second ago when I cracked that joke.” She looks back at her brother with a sarcastic expression. “Seems he’s the Grumpy Green Giant.”
“I’m not grumpy, but you could be less intrusive, Samantha.”
Her eyebrows raise. “How was that intrusive?”
She seems truly confused, and so am I since I wasn’t offended at all. However, I think SJ was. I just don’t understand why.
“You said ‘you,’ referring to her and not us. Implying that she would leave before me.”
When SJ answers, my chest tightens at the fact that he made that distinction so quickly. I didn’t think anything of her word choice, and I don’t think Sam did either, but she digs her heels in even more.
“Well, fe fi fo fum, I smell a lie on my brother’s tongue. I thought she was ‘just a friend.’” Sam raises her eyebrow in challenge as she makes air quotes.
Somehow, SJ manages to not react with words, even at another giant joke, quick witted as it was. Instead, he simply shrugs his shoulders and continues to eat.
I toy with my ring as I look at Camilla and Charles. There’s no reaction from them, either. Huh, is this what it’s like to have siblings? Because I’m completely freaking lost.
SJ’s lack of response finally gets Sam to back down as she digs into her food. I’m unsure if I should say anything or not, but before I can decide, I feel a hand touch my leg. I look down and watch SJ’s giant palm engulf my thigh, gently squeezing it.
My eyes snap up to his, and that warm sensation takes up residence in my heart at his touch once again. Twice in one night. A girl could get used to this. He smirks and subtly shakes his head, indicating for me to let it go.
Well then…
“What time do we need to be at the store in the morning, Dad?” SJ asks.
“Around six. Think you can do it?” Charles asks in response.
SJ briefly looks at me, squinting his eyes a little. We haven’t talked about any logistics once we got here. We were in such a rush to leave, and then our time was spent talking about other things, i.e. the crazy stalker. I don’t know if I’ll be staying here during the day, or if I’ll go with him.
Frankly, I’d rather stay with him for several reasons. Some of which I’m not ready to dissect.
“Can you be ready that early?” he asks me quietly.
“Sure, whenever you need me to be ready, I’ll be ready.” I smile, relieved he chose for me, so I don’t have to voice all the reasons I want to go with him.
“Six works,” SJ simply says.
“Great! I’ll get up early and make breakfast for everyone,” Camilla adds with a cheerful smile on her face.
“Will you save me some, Mom?” Sam asks hopefully.
“Only if you get up and help me.”
“Uuurgh, whyyy? That’s too early to even be alive, and you aren’t making SJ help!” Sam whines.
“Because, kiddo, you need to learn some responsibility. It’s about time, and your brother has already learned that lesson,” Camilla says.
“No, he hasn’t, or he’d be back here helping you with the store!” Sam accuses, her temper flaring.
SJ doesn’t react, but Charles does. “That’s enough! You will not disrespect your mother like that. Apologize or go to your room.”
“But Daddy! It’s the truth,” Sam says with indignation in her tone.
You can tell she feels a certain way about her big brother not being here, about not helping as much as she thinks he should, and my heart goes out to her. However, I also understand where SJ is coming from. The hardware store wasn’t his choice or dream, but I think more and more he feels like it’s his responsibility now.
