"You know, I missed you after I got adopted."

How much did you miss me?

"Like… A lot." Alexander smiled to himself, shifting the phone to his other side and holding it with his shoulder. He loved talking to her again, even if she always sounded like she just woke up when he called. It felt like when they were kids, her a little six year old who had a knack for getting in trouble and him a ten year old who was a little too eager to fight anyone who said something bad about her. He liked waking her up in the morning and telling her to go to sleep, even though he wasn't going to any time soon. He liked hearing her talk about little things in her day and asking about what he was working on. It all felt like home again.

So descriptive. I'll have you know I was absolutely devastated that you left me. I cried for a week when you weren't there to tell me it was nap time.

"I spoiled you, didn't I?"

A little… I was adopted a year after you, though. And I got way more siblings than I could have wanted.

"Five sisters and how many brothers?"

Three.

"Right. How do you all fit at the table?"

It's a big table, Alexander. I could have three board games going at once on that thing.

He laughed, imagining Johanna running three games like Monopoly at once. She could probably do it. She was pretty good at juggling a card game and a board game when he left. If she kept practicing, he had no doubt she could manage that many things at once.

It's still kind of lonely though… They're all so careful around me now. They refuse to talk about certain things and they're always asking if I'm okay. It feels like the house is really kind of… Empty.

Alexander wanted nothing more than to put an arm around her as she spoke. He never wanted her to feel like that. She was his best friend, even after all those years of separation. She deserved to be happy, not lonely.

"They love you, Anna. They're just scared for you."

I know… I wish you had been there. You would have stopped me before I did anything in the first place. You always knew what to say to make me feel better.

"I hope I still do." He meant it. He really hoped he could still help her feel better just by talking to her.

I think so. If the coffee shop proves anything. Or maybe it's just you in general. I feel better with you around.

"I feel better with you too…"

…Hey, I gotta go. Peggy says dinner is done and dad will flip if I take too long to get down there. I'll text you later, okay?

"Yeah. Go eat. I'll talk to you later."

They said their goodbyes and Alexander hung up, staring at the phone. He suddenly didn't feel much like doing the essay for his English class. It wasn't even due for another two weeks. He could afford the break. Leaning back in his chair, he looked around the room.

"Empty, huh…?" His eyes landed on the old notebook on the desk and he sighed. "I guess I get that feeling."