Chapter 3
History
Angel
James didn't lie all my stuff was up in the attic, along with all his old junk too. Still, it looked like he had moved everything from my room into the far side of the attic including my bed and dressers. I pushed two more stacks of boxes together so I could get to the bed. As I pushed the top box fell and landed with a crash on the floor. Its contents spilled out everywhere. It was all my stuff old books and clothes that I had forgotten about, there were even my old scrapbooks. I bent down picking up the stuff, one thing at a time, and thinking back to happier times. There were a few of the classic books I used to love like Pride and Prejudice and Beauty and the Beast. But apparently, I had still been living here when her taste changed because I saw my books on ancient mythologies and curses. Seeing them sent a warning shock to my system. I quickly pushed everything back into the box. Moving cautiously now, I managed to plop down on the bed with my duffel bag without upsetting any more boxes.
I wearily stripped off the t-shirt and jeans not looking towards the floor-length mirror in the corner. After a quick rifle through the duffel, I managed to find an oversized shirt to sleep in. Pulling the shirt out I saw a strange dark blue nightgown. Dropping the shirt I pulled out the gown knowing that I had never seen anything like it before. Well, not among my possessions at least. It felt like satin or silk it was hard to tell the difference since owning either had been a rarity in my life. Savoring the feel of the fabric against my skin I smoothed it out running my hand over the silver embroidery along the hem edge. It was perfect. I could tell it was hand-stitched that I had experience with. The swirls were all different like they were trying to decide whether they were leaves or flames. It had been made by either Rose or Lilly, who were both skilled with a needle. Just touching it was giving me back the balance I had been missing recently. I missed both of them, but I couldn't regret leaving them behind.
I suddenly heard footsteps coming up the stairs and I quickly stuffed away the nightgown and scrambled for my shirt again. I just managed to get it over my head before the door opened, and James stepped into the room closing the door behind him.
“I was beginning to wonder when you'd show up.” I greeted him with a smile momentarily forgetting about the awkward dinner, and instead of remembering all the happy memories we had together. It would be easy to fall back into our routine. I thought.
“Yeah well, I had to talk to Hope first. I had to wait until she was snoring I mean sleeping for me to come up here, or else we’d have to have another talk in the morning.” Explained James with a sigh, sitting down at the foot of her bed.
“You do realize I'm not a little kid anymore? I know when you say to ‘talk’ you mean argued.” I asked him raising an eyebrow. ‘Talk’ had been his code word for either a fight or an argument when we were younger. He never wanted to worry me, but turning up with black eyes and split lips defeated the purpose.
“I guess not huh?” He chuckled sitting down on the edge of my bed.
“So anyway, what’s the story with you two? How long have you been going out?” I asked tilting my head to the side. I knew it had to be a while if she reacted this strongly to a random girl showing up.
“I guess I had that one coming huh?” he asked with a hint of embarrassment. “About eight months. We're pretty serious Angel. I mean tonight was a rarity we never argue.”
“I knew you two were serious, idiot. Why else would she be living here? Still, eight months isn't that long. I mean it is a long time but she should have realized that something was still bound to come out of your closet.”
“Trust me she’s been through that closest,” James answered with a grimace.
“Claire or Shari?” I asked curious to see just how serious this woman was.
“Both” He answered frowning.
“Wow, if she wasn't so rude I think I might actually like her. Though I guess with looks like that she never needed to learn manners.” I did have to give her props though for being able to deal with that craziness. After dealing with those nut jobs I would freak out if another girl popped up. “You've got some taste bro. It seems like you attract all the crazy ones. I’m including Hope. I think she was plotting the best way to dispose of my body.”
“Your one to talk, ever heard of breaking and entering?” James joked.
“I didn't break anything. I've still got a key. If you guys didn't want visitors then you should have changed the locks.” I retorted sticking my tongue out at him.
“I kind of wanted to, but mom wouldn't let me.” James said. “Not because of you!” he quickly continued seeing my face. “It’s just Shari had a key and she actually did break in once about a month after Hope moved in. I’m not sure who told her, but she trashed our bedrooms.”
“Well isn't that obvious?” she asked shaking her head. “Are you still friends with Chris?” I watched him nod slowly not seeing where this was going. “Then that means Claire knew, and trust me Claire wanted to get even. So she told Shari, even though they hate each other they were willing to work together to get you back for breaking their hearts. Honestly, I can't say I blame them.” I finished shrugging.
“Wait, WHAT?!?” he asked shocked that I could say something like that.
“Really, James, you don’t think you could have been a little more tactful when breaking up with them?” I asked shaking my head. I love my brother, but sometimes he’s just plain cruel. “You broke up with Claire by telling her brother. Then when she didn’t get the hint you just started dating Shari, and taking to all of Claire's favorite spots!”
“I know it wasn’t- Wait! How do you know I did that?” He inquired. Clearly shocked again since he had dated Shari in the last year and he hadn’t heard from me in the last three years.
“Mom,” I stated as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. “I know she never told you, but we kind of kept in contact. When I first left I’d e-mail her once a week then it turned into once every two weeks. Soon it was once a month now I rarely talk to her, but she still writes every day and leaves a voicemail once a week. She always believed I’d come back. Just like you.” I concluded with a sad little smile.
“I-I-I can’t believe she never told me.” He whispered after his initial shock into silence wear off.
“I asked her not to. You would have come after me or tried to find me. I’m sorry but I really couldn't take that chance.” I knew he wouldn’t want to hear it, but it was true. I couldn't have him trying to drag me back home.
“Why? What is so important that you couldn't even tell me about it? We've always been able to talk. Ever since we were little you could always come to me with your problem.” I shifted back onto the bed. While we had been talking I had started to lean towards him just like old times, ready to cuddle up and joke around until I fell asleep. But having him mention my leaving had brought me back to the present. We weren’t little kids anymore. The troubles I was facing were bigger than some lousy bully at school, and this time I had to fix it myself.
“You know what? I'm a little tired. It’s been a really long day. I think I just want to go to sleep okay?” I told him. It wasn't a lie it was as if suddenly all the events of the day caught up with me. I didn’t have the energy left to talk my problems out with James. I crawled underneath the covers and faced the opposite wall.
“Fine, we don’t have to talk about it yet, but when you’re ready I would really like to know where you disappeared to,” he said morosely. He understood that he wasn’t going to get any answers until I was ready. “Good night Angel” he whispered starting to lean forward to kiss my forehead like he used to, but he pulled back realizing just like I had that I wasn’t that little girl anymore.
“Good night James,” I said turning my face just in time to see him as he left the room.
“Angel, you can still call me Jamie if you want. Some things will never change. I hope you realize that ‘cause no matter what happens in our lives you always be my little Angel.” He told me shutting the door. I had to wipe away a tear as I drifted off because I wasn’t sure if he knew the truth head ever call me Angel again.
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