Nearly six years it had been since Kelcey had last laid her eyes on the house she had so many happy memories in. It was just the average suburban brick house in Houston, but her eyes filled with tears as she stepped out of the car and was lead up the walk. Her mind flashed back to summers with Kyra as she stared at the green front lawn. All the times they'd played tag and wrestled each other to the ground, only to end up in a fit of laughter with grass stains littering their clothes. These were the memories she loved to think of when things got bad, when she couldn't go anywhere but inside her mind. Kyra was closest to her when they were young. Of course, she hadn't seen her since they were what, eleven? Now seventeen, Kelcey had no idea what to expect. She was just glad her Aunt Reba had helped her so much in the last few weeks.
Blinking away the memories, she stepped up to the front door and the social worker smiled and knocked. Kelcey drew in a sharp breath and held it in; her nerves were making her hands sweat and shake. The last thing she wanted was to be in the way, she knew what kind of crazy family issues her cousins had. Even back in the day when she was around she knew—now she had to figure out a place for herself in a family that hardly knew her; hardly knew what she'd been through the last few years.
She heard a call from behind the door, "Just a second, I'll be right there!"
Her heart stopped, she hadn't heard that voice in so long. It was different, but still the friendly voice she'd loved as a child. As the door opened Kelcey looked up and pushed her hair aside. It was Kyra.
Kyra smiled as she pulled the door open, "Oh my GOD! I can't believe it's really you!" She took her cousin in a tight hug and laughed.
As the embrace fell Kelcey looked up, "Hey Kyra, I'm so happy to see you." She didn't realize she'd started crying. Blinking back her tears, she smiled at Kyra.
"Well I think you can take it from here. I'll be back tomorrow to check up on you and talk to your aunt some more, take it easy kiddo." The social worker placed a big brown suitcase in the doorway and turned back to her car.
As she walked forward Kelcey took in the big living room. It was somewhat as she remembered, the old couch and chair were the same, but the carpet had been changed. The family pictures on the walls had grown older and the people changed slightly, but it was still the happy place that resided in her memories. It was good to feel safe.
"So, let's go up to your room." Kyra said as she took the brown suitcase in her hand and began up the stairs.
As Kyra entered the up-stairs guest room she turned and looked at Kelcey who was still studying the house, "I know you haven't been here for a while but I promise you, besides everyone being ten times crazier, not much has changed. See, even the old guest room is still the same. I would suggest decorating it some though, it needs some kind of flare."
"Wow, I can't believe everything is…well….the same. Even you, I mean, you got taller and definitely have better clothes." She winked, "I missed this place a lot Kyra, and all of you guys. Where is everyone anyway?"
"Well, Cheyenne and Van took Elizabeth over the Dad's till tomorrow and Jake is over at his friend's house. It's just me and Mom here tonight, and now you." Kyra walked over to the bed and sat down, Kelcey followed.
"So how have you been the last, what, six years?" Kyra said.
"Ha, yeah it's been a while. I've…uh…well I have to be honest, has Aunt Reba told you guys why I'm here?" Kelcey questioned.
"Well she only told us that Aunt Linda and Uncle Jack had been having some problems and you couldn't stay with them."
Kelcey looked down at her hands, "Having problems is an understatement." She said looking back up at Kyra.
"What do you mean? What's been going on?" Kyra questioned with concern in her eyes. She could see that her cousin was scared.
"Well, I haven't really even told Aunt Reba everything. I knew I needed to get out and she was the only person I could go to. I…." Just as Kelcey began her story she heard her aunt call Kyra from another room.
"Kyra, where are you? Have you seen my nail files anywhere?"
Kyra laughed and looked at Kelcey as she stood from the bed, "Well I'm guessing she's out of the shower, come on."
Kelcey stood up and followed Kyra down the hall to her aunt's room. She was excited to be able to see her again, to hug her, and mostly to talk to her in person again.
As the two entered the bathroom where Reba stood with her back turned Kyra walked over and knelt beside her mother's legs, "Mom, you always keep your emery boards under this cabinet, remember? Oh, and someone is here to see you." Kyra said smiling up at her mother holding the small bag up for her to take.