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“You have a good time with Gran?”
“Amazing. Hold on.” I can hear voices talking in the background. “Jace? Gran says you should have visited this weekend too.” She’s scolding me through the phone for Gran.
“I know. Tell her I promise to come next weekend. We’ll go have lunch with her. Okay?”
She pauses a moment and repeats what I’ve said. “She says you better.”
“When you heading this way?”
“Here in a few. I’ve been trying to stall Gran the best I can without her wondering why I don’t want to be home without you.” Her voice conspiratorially lowers.
“I’m here now, so get your ass home. I feel like I haven’t seen you in a month.” The anticipation is building.
“Be there in twenty!” she giggles, then hangs up on me.
Rolling my eyes, I toss my phone down. She loves hanging up on me.
After unpacking, a shower calls my name. The alarm clock glares the time, informing me Jaz will arrive in ten minutes. Snagging some boxers, I duck into the bathroom to rush through a shower. As soon as the soap’s lathered, I swear I hear the door downstairs slam.
Not taking any chances, I rinse and dry faster than lightning, my twin senses tingling, sensing her presence. I toss random clothes on while wet, as I race out of my room and down the stairs, an enormous smile plastered to my face. Some may say two days isn’t very long, but to me and Jaz, it’s a lifetime. Before this weekend, we’ve never spent more than a few hours away from one another. I can’t wait to see her.
Hopping off the last stair, I expect her to attack. She sounded excited. “Jaz?” I call her name. Maybe I didn’t hear her come home after all. I round the corner, heading towards the kitchen, and stop short.
There in the hallway, Margret has Jasmine backed into a corner, towering over her, growling in her drunken slur. “Where the hell have you been?” Her words are barely recognizable.
“I told you. I went to stay with Grandma.” Jasmine’s words are strong, even though I can see she’s nervous.
“What the fuck are you doing?” I startle Margret, causing her to shriek and turn.
“Jace, my sweet boy.” She moves away from Jasmine and starts fawning all over me. “How’s my boy? Did you have an enjoyable weekend?” She’s trying to rub my hair like she did when we were children. I want no part of it.
“Get off me. Why the fuck are you cornering Jasmine?” I reach around her and pull Jasmine behind me. “Keep your hands and your stinky ass breath away from her.” I turn us both around and move away.
Margret yells at our retreating backs. “If she wasn’t around, you’d be all mine.”
I turn around so fast, Margret stumbles backwards. “Don’t ever threaten her again! Dad may not do anything about the way you treat her, but if you so much as lay a finger on her, I will?”
“Jace!” Jasmine cries from behind me.
Closing my mouth, I reach back and take Jasmine’s hand for reassurance. I don’t say another word to Margret, but I can see it in her eyes. She knows I’m done with her, and as her golden child, she’s panicking.
We turn as one and walk up the stairs. It’s not until we’re almost to the top that I hear Margret whisper, “No.”
My heart trips in my chest. I despise my mother for how she treats Jasmine, but I can still feel my heart breaking at the thought of losing the only one I’ve ever known. I’ll never forgive her. There is no getting help and coming back from her actions.
I tug Jasmine into my room and slam the door, causing her to jump and yelp. Her fingers are shaking while clutching my hand. We don’t say anything as I pull her to me and tuck her under my chin.
After a moment of silence, I whisper, “I’m sorry.” My throat tightening and strangling the letters.
She doesn’t speak, only nods into my chest.
“What happened? You couldn’t have been home for five minutes.”
“She was there as soon as I opened the door. I closed it behind me and turned around. She was in my face, cursing at me. She asked if I was out whoring around all weekend. I know we told her I was staying with Gran. She’s only saying it because she knows it hurts. Why does she treat me like this, Jace?” Her strong voice finally cracks and she cries.
“Shh, shh. You have me. I’ll always be here with you.”
“Same goes for you, brother.” She hugs me tight.
