It was that morning, when Vanessa Moore-as she went by now, received a call while retrieving her breakfast from the toaster. The woman never got calls and she almost always let it go to voicemail unless it was work-related.  Lucky for her, and the caller, she happened to have answered that day. 

“Hello,” she said in a quick huff, taking the smoking bread with a torn piece of paper towel. "Hello?" She said again as she picked up a knife and spread her melting butter. The crunching snap from the corners of the bread indicated she’d left it in too long. A bitter, burning sensation was all that awaited her before she took the first bite. She knew it as well. but Vanessa had become accustomed to poor quality food long before her kids, hectic job, and the lack of time for herself. She was just glad she no longer had to go hungry. As she lifted her “breakfast” to her mouth, she stopped at the sound of his voice. 

"Hey, Van," Carlo’s distinctly raspy throat hummed through the receiver. The sound made the hairs on her neck stand at attention and her stomach turn. She didn't answer at first. Carlo waited before speaking again "Hola, Van, you there?" She could feel the anxiety in his voice. 

"Well, this is unexpected. Didn't know if I'd hear from you again," Her words were frosted. He felt the sting.  

"Hey come on, that's not fair," He said. "That's no way to speak to your brother." She let out a snort. 

"Oh, I have a family now? No me había dado cuenta." Her tone dripped with malice. Carlo was taken aback. 

"I...That's not fair. You know why I haven't been around, dammit," He stammered. 

"No, I don't. -I don't know anything, Carlo." 

"Well have you been getting those checks I've been sending at least?"

"Is that why you called? To see if your money ended up in the right place?" 

"No - Hey! What's with the fucking hostility? I've been taking care of you every month, making sure the rents on time and that your car is paid off-” 

"I could give a fuck about the money Carlo!" She barked into the phone. 

"W-what?" 

"It’s been damn near six months since you last spoke to me. It's been a few months longer since I've seen you. In the past few years, everything has changed for me, I don’t even know who the fuck I am anymore and the first thing you ask me is if my car is paid off yet? vete a la mierda!" She snarled into the phone. 

"I'm...I’m just trying to figure out where we are, so logically-" 

          "Logically my ass,” Vanessa cut him off again. “What are you? One of your stupid robots? We’re your blood, Carlo. It's bad enough you threw us in the middle fucking chaho land in an empty house with no plan in place. Now you don’t even have the decency to call-." She paused. She realized she was screaming. "You almost had me wake up Josh. He started daycare this week and he is not a morning person. Carlo, so help me if you cause him to have a fit. I will track you down so I can kill you myself." 

          "I...yes ma'am." Carlo realized he wasn’t going to win this exchange. "Where's Tenisha and Layla?" 

         "Tenisha already took Layla to school. I'm waiting for her to come back with the car so we can drop Josh off, then I gotta go to work." She replied. "She’s doing fine too by the way. If you were going to ask, and she wants to hit you as much as I do." 

         "I...ok good. I mean not good, ugh. Can you tell her I'm sorry too?"

          "You can’t do it yourself?" 

          "I'm not very good at articulating..."

         "Been a while since you spoke to someone?" 

         "Do I sound that out of practice?" 

         "You've never been good at it. But since you came back from the funny house it's like you forget how to talk. Estas loco hermano." 

"Yes. There’s not a lot of great conversation up there. Mostly screaming and conspiracies. Though the one about lizard people raising the city's rent to push out all humans seemed passable." 

"Huh. it does…” she said. He felt the ease of tension in her voice

"Sí ... por eso me fui, no quería caer mas profundo,” Carlo said with a slight chuckle. He could tell she held one back herself. He knew things weren't fine but that felt good to see he could still feel that from her, even if it was muted. Unfortunately, as usual, he was short on time. "Van, I need to discuss something with you." His tone was serious. 

"What is it? Is Sonny ok?" 

"Uh...he's good, for now at least. I got that covered."

"You promise?" 

"Your big brother hasn't let you down yet, has he?" 

"You don't want me to answer that." 

"Fucking aye...Van, you don’t know what I've been going through for-” 

"-You're right I don’t know. Carlo, sería más fácil si me lo dijeras. Soy como un pollo sin cabeza. I’m left wondering if the next time I hear from my only family is to collect money or to hear you're in a ditch somewhere.”  He said nothing. Van let out another slow breath, collecting herself again.  “I don't know if you know this Carlo, but anger is not the same as hatred. I don't want to have to talk to you like this.” 

“Yeah, I get that a lot these days…”

“I...I’m on edge too Carlo. I miss you. I’m not the same baby you had to carry around looking for dinner in a dumpster. I’m grown, I can handle things, you can talk to me.” 

“I..hmmm” he grew quiet. Failed again she thought. 

  "...Carlo...what is it you wanted to talk about?"

      "I’m uh...look what time you get off work today?" 

      "Five. Why?" 

     "I got something coming in for Josh. I need you to pick it up. It was his birthday last month, right?” he said. “I need you to follow my instructions perfectly.”