Rabbit Hole Carnival: Siblings

“Wow.” Renee replied as she checked her phone. “You actually came alone this time. You all can go then! I should be home by 5 at the latest!”

Adam watched Renee’s group walk away though not before many glared at him. “Do you know how much trouble I’m going to be in?” He asked.

“I have some idea actually, so mostly.” Renee replied. “Why it makes sense to you that you’re going to be in trouble for wanting to have a real talk with your sister escapes me, but at least I was given some respect this time.”

“You know it’s not like I haven’t come alone before?” Adam said.

“I also know it’s not like you have come within less than 24 hours of mom trying to call me, so I’m not sure what your point is.” Renee replied.

“That I’m your older brother.” Adam said. “Aren’t I?”

Renee took a deep breath. “That depends.”

“How could that possibly depend?!” Adam asked. “Depend on what?!”

“In the sense that I’m quite required to share blood relations with you, and be born from the same parents. Yes, you're my older brother.” Renee said. “In the sense of what I was told an older brother is or is supposed to be, no you’re not.”

“I… Just what is that supposed to mean?” Adam asked.

“That every Psychology class, and every sex ed or health class, and some show and tells taught me an older brother is supposed to be protective of his young sister.” Renee said. That a family is supposed to do more the basics of taking care of you, and mind failed to do even that.

“Why did you even bother to come if you weren’t interested in listening.” Adam said.

“You’re one to talk.” Renee replied. “Why did you bother to set up this meeting if you weren’t here to listen?”

 “I was hoping you were starting to see reason.” Adam replied.

“What reason, Adam?!” Renee asked. “Reason to crawl back to a house where I was getting beaten up, emotionally abused, and know I’d be basically locked in a prison in misery for the rest of my life?!”

“They would make it that bad you’re—” Adam started.

“Then what would they make it like?” Renee asked, crossing her arms. “Since they’ve so clearly told you differently.”

“Renee, look if you just come back, then things will get better.” Adam replied.

“Better for who, Adam? Renee asked. “Becuase, it’s definitely not going to get better for me if I go back there.”

“You don’t understand what they’ve got like.” Adam said.

"Mom's frequently ordering you to do more and more chores Mike butters you up as his favorite still, but god forbid you even one, not explained to you, line. Nick is being slandered endlessly for tearing family apart, and I’m an ungrateful little parasite. And if dad had only had 2 sons things would be different now.” Renee replied “How’d I do?”

“Mom is crying more than assigning, actually.” Adam said. “Really wishing you would just come back.”

“So she stops feeling like she failed as a parent, maybe” Renee grumbled.

“That’s not her reason!” Adam said.

“You sure? That’s your final answer?” Renee asked.

“Yes, because she's nowhere near as cold hearted as you make her out to be.” Adam replied.

Renee pulls out her phone, and scrolls through it. “Just how long are you going to make your own mother hate herself?... We didn’t mean to harm you. We just know what is best… Your father thought about you today, sweetie… please come home, I miss you.” Renee scrolled more. “Where is… ah here we are no doubt from drinking last night—”

“Okay, okay fine.” Adam said. “Your point?”

“That one of us is lying to their sibling, and the other is going on her walk home as for now.” Renee replied, before heading back to Nick’s place.