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Behind the mammoth yard sign, the house is still the same butter color it always was, but more of the surface is now covered by the vines of ivy that tangle every which way. It’s a mystery why anyone thinks that looks good.
There’s no hint whether Tess is home. I have the bizarre, fleeting thought of marching right up to her door and knocking.
To say what?
“Hey, Tess. Remember that time last night when I finger fucked you on my bed and then made you beg for my cock? That was fun, huh?”
She’d be mortified. Furious.
And turned on as hell, whether she wanted to be or not.
I rub my jaw so Conner doesn’t catch a glimpse of me smiling again and wonder why.
Anyway, it’s time to set dirty thoughts aside. Conner slows down, pulling up at the curb before cutting the engine.
The house I grew up in has its own personality. Matilda and her sisters grew up there too. Charlotte is probably being coached to carry on the tradition. Every few years Matilda spends an ocean of money to redecorate in some silly theme that she discovered on the internet. I could never keep track of any of them.
Right now when I look at the house I see my father showing me how to catch a baseball on the wide ribbon of front lawn.
“Showtime.” Conner shoots finger guns and jumps out of the driver’s seat.
He rings the doorbell by pressing it again and again until the door is flung open. Dani stands on the other side. She surges with her arms open, hugging each of us with real affection.
“I wasn’t expecting to see you guys today.”
Gage is right behind her with a more muted greeting. The two of them live within walking distance, choosing to remain close to be near Charlotte and Cecile.
“Micah!” My nine-year-old sister barrels past Gage with a squeal and makes a flying leap into my arms.
I catch her and twirl her in a fast circle, as I always do. She throws her head back and laughs.
It still gets to me how she’s so delighted just to see me show up. Charlotte was born while I was locked away and I didn’t even get to meet her until she was already walking. Matilda didn’t want me around her too often and for once, I thought Matilda might be right.
After all, what little girl wants a violent ex-con packed with ink and a shitty attitude as a big brother?
I didn’t even know how to be a big brother. As it is, I’m still kind of winging it.
Charlotte doesn’t seem to mind. She acts like I’m her best friend in the world.
Conner complains about the neglect. “What am I, invisible?” He pretends to catch Charlotte’s nose between his fingers and she hugs him with a giggle.
Then she pulls on our hands. “Come on, you guys. You have to meet the puppy. He has to stay in the morning room until he’s trained. His name is Total.”
“Total?” I look to Dani. Gage stands behind her and she leans back as he wraps his arms around her waist.
“Matilda’s contribution,” Dani explains but she smirks.
Charlotte keeps dragging us through the house. “Mother says he will make a TOTAL MESS out of her flowers and her carpet. So I decided that should be his name. Total.”
Total is a globe of brown fur with beady little eyes. He yips and wags his tiny nub of a tail when Charlotte climbs over the barrier of the enclosure where he’s penned in.
“It’s okay, Total.” She coos and bends down to kiss him. “Look, my brother is here. I told you about him.”
The puppy cocks his head and appraises me, like he understands her words and is ready to pass judgment.
I reach my hand in and scratch behind his ears. He wiggles and scrapes my hand with his pink tongue.
“He likes you.” Charlotte picks Total up and rocks him in her arms like a baby.
