I would like to thank Termina's Hero123 for betaing this.
Two Against Two
Chapter 1
I walk away from the attic door, frustrated. I've just sent my youngest son, Kevin, up there for starting a fight with his older brother, Buzz, and for causing a huge mess in kitchen.
'I don't know what we're going to do with that kid. He seems a lot like his older sister, Christine, only worse, as he fights with his siblings...' I think to myself. A pang of sadness suddenly jolts in my heart, and a tear forms in my eye, upon the mention of my first-born.
I will never forget that awful Spring day, when Christine left home. Kevin was just a baby at the time, when a big fight had occurred between Christine, her Father, and myself that day over Christine sneaking out to an out-of-state concert.
Some harsh words were exchanged out of anger, and she marched up to her room. We thought by the next morning, Christine would be calmed down, like always, after a fight, so we could discuss what happened more peacefully.
It wasn't meant to be, as I went into her bedroom that next morning to talk with her calmly about everything that happened the previous night, but to my horror, I discovered she was gone. Her clothes were gone, her bed was neat, and her window in the bedroom was open.
I screamed for Peter. He rushed in and asked what was wrong. I told him about Christine running away and that we should call the police. He was shocked and quickly called the police came and got all the basic information and recent pictures of Christine. The police never found her.
I didn't hear anything from Christine, until she sent a heartbreaking letter about two weeks later, from an unknown address, that she had disowned us and hated her Father and I, and that she never wanted to see us again.
Peter was hurt, and I cried. It hurt that she didn't even mention her siblings, but it left a little hope in my heart that it was her way of saying that she still cared about them.
I'm suddenly jolted out of my thoughts. "Mrs. McCallister, are you okay?"
I notice I'm standing at the edge of the driveway and feeling very cold. I must have gone outside for some air without realizing it. That's when I notice my neighbor, Mr. Marley, was speaking to me."Mr. Marley, I'm sorry, I must have gotten caught up in my thoughts." I tell him.
"It's okay, Mrs. McCallister. Is there something wrong?" he asks, concerned.
"I'm fine, thanks," I say to him, kindly, not wanting to go into detail about what happened with Kevin.
"I just wanted to make sure you was okay. Did you get a visit from a policeman about making sure your house is safe?" he asks.
"Yes. My husband spoke to him," I reply.
"I noticed your house is crowded," he states.
"Yes. The family is going to Paris to spend Christmas with my husband's brother,"
"I think we should be getting indoors. It's getting chilly. I hope you have a safe trip and a Merry Christmas, Mrs. McCallister. I'll be sure to keep an eye on the house, while you're away," he smiled.
"Thanks. Merry Christmas to you, as well," I smiled back.
I head inside the house and upstairs to Peter's and I bedroom to get ready for bed. Peter, who's already in bed asks what's wrong. I tell him about me thinking of our oldest daughter.
A look of anger comes across Peter's face. He was hurt so bad about Christine leaving. He tries to pretend she doesn't exist, even though he still cares because Peter had a close bond with Christine.
The kids, except for Kevin, were all sad when she left home, since they loved her and got along well with her.
Kevin does not even know about Christine, since he was just a baby. We thought it was best to spare him any pain, by not mentioning her to him. If there's a happy memory about Christine, I can remember, is the way she adored Kevin.
I go to sleep, crying, as the wind outside starts blowing very hard...
A/N:Edited chapter for continuity issues. 7-10-17