Old home sweet home

The weekend finally came and, for the first time, Alex wasn’t looking forward to it. She had taken the morning flight to her hometown in Birmingham. It took less than two hours to get there and about twenty minutes from the airport to her childhood home. The time had been cloudy since she landed, as it would be Birmingham on early October; the breeze was welcomed under the damp weather and she could feel her sweater sticking on her body.

Passing through her old neighborhood, the memories from her childhood and teenager years started to gain life, like a movie being played, she could see her young self, running behind Adrian, as the two of them would compete to get home first; even though her older brother was faster than her, nearing the corner of their home, he would slow down and let her pass him to get there first, pretending to lose. A smile formed on her lips – those were indeed good times. A few years later from that, she would be not running anymore, but walking slowly, while a sleepy Megan would complain about them walking to school.

The taxi turned left and Alex easily spotted her house at the end. After paying the taxi cab, she got her backpack, since it was her only luggage. She walked through the main path, a few bushes and flowers ornamented the passage. When Alex grew up, it was common to see her mother with gloves and a hat pruning the weed out; she would, then, help her mother with it, just so she could use the shears.

At the entrance of the wine wood door, Alex hesitated, wondering if she should press the doorbell or just use the spare key on a pot hanging on the porch. It didn’t take long for her to decide and she finally reached for the key.

– I’m home – she announced, opening the door.

On the couch, holding a bowl with strawberries, her brother was lying with his feet on the coffee table.

– Hey Lexie – he greeted her with a strawberry on his mouth. Then turned his head and yelled. – Mom, Louise is here.

From the kitchen, a muffled voice shot back, probably her mother’s. – Who?

Alex rolled her eyes. For some reason her brother never called her using her real name, he’d rather make abbreviations of it or just change it entirely, although, on her opinion, Alex's name was already short enough. It didn't need any of that.

– It’s me, mom – she said, after Ella entered the living room. – I’m home…

But before she could finish the sentence, her mom was already holding her and kissing her cheeks. – Oh, my goodness, you actually came home… It’s been such a long time.

– I told you I was coming, though – Alex said, her voice wavering with her mom’s hands pressing her cheeks.

– I’m so glad – continued her mother. – And your brother finally decided to show his face here too. Are you guys trying to give me a heart attack or what?

– I’d never dream of that, Mrs. Moor – refuted Adrian. – Otherwise, how would I get your delicious meals?

– Ah, these children of mine – she murmured, then finally realized the bowl on Adrian’s lap. – And this is for your sister’s cake. – she took it out of his hands, brushing it aside when her brother tried to steal one more strawberry.

– I’m your dear son too, you know? – Adrian pouted.

– Oh, stop it, I already made your pancakes earlier – replied Ella, turning to the kitchen.

Before she was gone, Adrian swiftly moved his hand, getting the strawberry and quickly throwing it on his mouth.

Alex smiled, nearing her brother, and passing one arm through his shoulders. – Good to see you, bro.

– Glad to see you too, kid – he hugged her, then grabbed her hand placing another stolen strawberry on it.

They chuckled.

– How’s work going? – she asked.

– Just as expected – said Adrian with a smirk. – I’m the new youngest successful lawyer on the company. I mean, considering how good-looking I am, it’s only obvious. You should be proud we share the same genes.

– One must have an unwavering peace of mind for self-loathing – Alex quoted, raising an eyebrow playfully for her brother. – Then, I guess you must really doubt yourself, big bro.

A gleam sparkled in his eyes. – You grew up, kid. Or should I say sis?

– I wasn’t your sister before? – she asked, innocently.

– No. – Adrian responded dryly, as if it was a simple question.

Then he disheveled her hair with his hand. – Don’t be stupid. You’re always gonna be my little sister no matter what.

– Now… – he continued. – What about you? How’s school?

– Normal, I guess – she said, automatically.

– And that job? Are you still working there?

– Yup. The payment is good, so I don’t mind.

– You don’t need to work. In fact, it would be better if you just focused in graduating.

She shrugged. – It’s fine. I get deducted school hours for that.

– Then why not work with us? – he asked, pointing the obvious. – If it’s about a job experience, then it would be better to work with a big company than with some small-name one, and you wouldn’t have to worry about scheduling your classes with your job, since it’s our family business… Mom would definitely let you leave earlier whenever you needed; so, you don’t have to worry about demanding bosses.

– It’s not about that – she said. – I just want to do my own things.

Adrian seemed as if he’d disagree with her; then sighed. – Okay. Then I trust your decision. Just promise to tell me if you change your mind, ‘kay?

Alex nodded, silently, knowing she wouldn’t change her mind. She felt heavy as the guilt weighted her down. The truth was that she didn’t have a proper reason to not work on her family’s law company. Everything that Adrian said was true, they both knew that, she would be way better off working for a renowned enterprise than in a small office job. But she was different than Adrian and her mom, they both enjoyed what they did, rather, they were passionate about their profession; her mom worked hard to grow in the company, and when Alex’s grandfather announced Ella as the president, it wasn’t a big surprise, everyone already expected it for the all the hard-work her mom showed during those years, and, as the time showed, that was absolutely the best decision for the company; the same could be said about her brother. Besides the facade of a narcissistic cunt, he was actually decent at his job, indeed, he was smart enough to be considered one of the best, not that Alex would ever tell that to him.

Alex was another story, though. There was nothing she yearned or desired, nothing she was passionate about… Rather, she only cared for her games; and work was just a way to pay those expanses. Her job at the moment offered a nice salary, even though she didn’t need to work there, it was precisely for that reason she liked that job; for she could leave it at any moment. In short, Alex didn’t need to place much effort in it, she didn’t care for making a name for herself, thus, working with her mom and brother that loved their work so much would be impossible.

Her mom came back from the kitchen. – You should rest a bit, you just came from the airport. Why don’t you go to your room and place your things there? Maybe change those clothes, it’s too hot to be wearing a sweater.

– Okay – she said with a nod. Then, gathered enough courage to ask: – Where’s dad, by the way?

­– Oh, your father is on his beast lair as he calls it. – her mom answered, rolling her eyes, but a faint smile was shown on her face. – But he's happy, so I indulge him. You should go check on him, his on the basement. Oh, and bring him this. – her mom handed her a bottle of Gatorade. – For an MMA instructor, the man doesn’t know how to properly hydrate his body!

– Alright.

Alex headed toward the basement, passing through the hallway and climbing down the stairs. She knocked once, but no one answered, then Alex opened the door. Her dad was sitting on bench, his back turned to her. He was a huge man with carroty hair and white skin, like a typical Irish. Adrian and Alex took more from their mother’s family side, both in appearance and their hair color, the only traces of her dad were their grey eyes and the pale skin – that no matter how long they spent on sunlight, they hardly got tanned. The best their skin could do was getting red, like a shrimp.

– Hey dad – she called out to him. – Mom asked to bring you this.

After a long pause, her dad grunted. – Mhmm.

Alex felt the hurry to leave that room. Since that day her relationship with her dad was almost non-existent.

– I’ll leave it on the table, ok? – she quickly dropped the Gatorade.

While Alex neared the table, she got a glimpse of what her dad was working on. The gold light of the trophy reflected on the dim room, as her dad thoroughly cleaned it; she recognized the trophy. On the base, the brass plaque contained the words she had memorized: Judo Championship for Minors 2013 - 1º Place. Behind him, all the other trophies Alex had got were displayed on a case, alongside with Adrian’s and her dad’s.

– Dad... – her voice trembled.

Alex swallowed down the lump that formed on her throat. It was no use to be there. She should just forget. And quickly as she came, Alex went away. This would be a long weekend.