Chapter Three: The First Call In Five Years

Grandma rushed around the kitchen in a hurry, "Your first day of high school, and you are totally unprepared." Jeremy went towards Charlotte and quickly stole the mug in her hand, Charlotte did nothing but give him a doting smile.

Who doesn’t know that Charlotte is also a brother slave? She loves her brother very much, after all he is the only one remaining from her direct family.

I playfully nudged her, making Charlotte elbow me,"Don't start" she warned, stealing my mug.

I playfully put my hands up in surrender, "I wouldn't dare." I teased, and grabbed myself another mug.

Grandma looked at the only teenager in our midst, "Lunch money?" She asked, holding out a few notes of money.

"He will be okay." Charlotte and I said simultaneously.

Jeremy on the other hand, didn't say anything, just grabbed the lunch money off of grandma’s hand, making Charlotte sigh, she knew exactly why he took the money and it was definitely not for lunch.

Charlotte stayed quiet because she knew nothing she said was going to affect Jeremy, he didn't care for her as much as she cared for him.

Men and their selfish streaks, sooner he will realize her importance.

“Momma! Good morning!!” Kelvin greeted me, my small boy is so smart.

I squatted down and hugged Kelvin into my embrace.

Kelvin robbed his soft face onto mine, looking at me with a puppy eye he muttered, “Momma! I also want some tea.”

I kissed his forehead and stated. “Mom will make you milk instead? Milk is healthier.” Kelvin nodded enthusiastically and I stood up to boil hot water.

"Anything else?" Grandma asked Jeremy.

Jeremy checked his stuff and whispered, "A number two pencil? What am I missing?"

Charlotte snickers but carefully asks, "Don't you have a big presentation today?"

“I'm meeting with my thesis advisor at…" Grandma checked her watch, "Go quickly…”

Hearing her words, Charlotte quickly removed hair from the messy bun it was and attempted to make herself look even slightly presentable.

“Sighs, from a sexy damsel to a haggard woman.” Marriage isn't as easy as one thinks. Charlotte shot me a glare but didn’t say anything.

We left grandma’s little villa and headed outside with Charlotte all dressed elegantly, while I tagged along, carrying Kelvin in my embrace. We planned on driving downtown with one car, I wanted to get provisions for Kelvin, his foodstuffs needs to be replenished.

I carefully tucked Kelvin inside the car, strapped the seat belt on him, and waited for Jeremy to enter since Charlotte sat at the shotgun seat.

Jeremy had a frown on his face since the moment we left the villa.

"You okay?" Charlotte asked worriedly. Jeremy rolled his eyes at her.

"Don't start." He warned, walking out to the other side of the car. The nerve of him talking to his sister in that tone.

Before Charlotte could give him another lecture. He hissed “You better mind your business Charlotte, you are just my elder sister. Nothing more, nothing less.”

“Hey, Jeremy, don't you dare talk back to your sister. She took care of you when you were younger. At least you owe her that. So you better stop being fussy. If you don’t want anyone to care about your iron monkey face, you better put a freaking smile on it! Got it??” My temper rose like a puffer fish.

“Okay! jeez.” He sighed and got into the car, feeling upset that I yelled at him.

“Ruby, you yelled at him too hard, he is still a child.” Charlotte tried to defend him, but I rose my hand mid air, interjecting.

“Child or not, respect is reciprocal.” Then I tilted my neck, speaking to Jeremy. As long as I’m here, you have to respect your sister. At least that’s a basic knowledge.” I clicked my tongue annoyed, they all know my temper, if you get on my nerves, I won’t mind using my fists on you.

Charlotte sighed and drove to Jeremy’s school.

After Jeremy left the car, Charlotte turned to me, "You need to give him some breathing space? Allow him to express his dissatisfaction.” I rolled my eyes and Charlotte sighed, "I know I do, but I can't help but be worried, he's my little brother, after mom and dad died, he is my responsibility.”

“I know, and that’s the reason he has to wake up to reality! You can’t keep babying him. He is already 15 for crying out loud.” I couldn’t help but worry about her.

“Sorry.” Charlotte suddenly apologizes, making me widen my eyes, tears nearly coming out of it.

“Why are you apologizing? Is it our fault that life deceided to fuck us over? Skyler is still cheating on you right?”

She choked on her words, trying to hold back her tears.

“I didn’t expect it to be like this. What a fucked up life.” She muttered, trying to sound all cool about it.

“We don’t have to wait for life to fuck is over, we need to fuck them over.” I stated, comforting her. “If you could be as daring as I am, you would have divorced that jerk long ago, giving him ten punches so he would be afraid to cross your path.”

She suddenly laughed hard, her mood improving. “It’s ok, sooner or later, he will get what he deserves.”

“Oh, let’s go to the shopping mall then, I need to get Kelvin some snacks.” I winked and she rolled her eyes.

Suddenly, my phone rang, I picked it up and saw the name ID on it.

‘Mom.’ My eyes reddened, I couldn’t believe it at first.

This is the first call I’ve received from her in five years. I couldn’t hide my happiness.

I hurriedly picked up the call, not wanting it to cut off.

“Mother!” I was so enthusiastic.

“Ruby, you need to come back.” I couldn’t hide my happiness when I heard her weary voice.

It was my mom, she had finally missed me and realized the importance of my existence.