The characters used in this fanfic belong to Dr. Seuss.

Chapter 4
Responsibilities -(Stef's POV)-

"Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple." Dr. Seuss

"Why are you leaving?" The pain in his voice had made a shiver run down my spine. I hadn't seen my brother in over 9 years, 6 months and 185 days. He must be a young handsome boy by now. Still, as much as I tried to picture him smiling, happy and full of life, I felt guilty. I knew that the part of that cheerful 4 year old I used to know so well was gone. He'd lost half of his family at once, and on the same day I asked of him something that seems rather stupid now.

For my own sake, I made my baby brother swear not to cry. I left him broken hearted, and with a burden no child should carry. But I blame my mom and dad. Ever since Ted was born, fights began to rise. Mom could no longer be at home and allow the family to rely on Dad's income. Now with two kids, she also needed to work to make enough money. Then Dad began to overdo it. Working late hours, getting home stressed and tired. It started off with a fight every week, but then as Ted got older and responsibilities increased, the fights grew daily, almost as if it were part of our messed up routine.

The countless times mom would come into my room and just sit on my bed crying. Back then, I used to braid her hair or simply play with it until she fell asleep and got a decent nap. Dad would often just collapse on his bed fully clothed, sometimes he wouldn't even take his shoes off so I would sneak into his room to take them off for him and cover him with a blanket. By the age of 2, Ted began to pick up on all the fights and he would hide in the laundry while the washing machine was on; the noise from it would block the screams and yells. It was there where we spent most of our afternoons, drawing and playing while the adults fought over stupid things in the kitchen.

Then, we meet our neighbour, Audrey; or Orange as Ted nicknamed her, since he couldn't pronounce her name. Thinking back to those times… such a long, long time ago, I still manage to be thankful. I had the world's best brother and the world's best friend, my parents were very kind and loving, but looking back now, there were fights that could be avoided; such as the time when they fought because Grandma Norma was going to be staying with us. Dad could had been nice and said yes. He should have!

Now? Now dad works from 9 to 4 and from 4 to 9 he is at his girlfriend's place. He's been dating her for the past 5 years, and at first I used to blame him for keeping me here when he had a lover. How could he even do this to mom? But he was right when he'd said, "You are too young to understand." It had taken me a while to figure out the reason why he kept me around; he wanted something permanent, something that he could never stop loving, a part of him that would always stay by his side even when things were bad. He wanted a piece of the family he had.

But deep down, my family was with my mom and brother, and Audrey, too. Dad now had bonds with another person and soon they would start a family and I would just be the child from his ex-wife.

That's why today I had to ask him. I had been going around this for the past 6 months. Ever since he'd proposed to Annabel. Dad had met her at work, she was the sister of his colleague and he kind of set them up together. She is 3 years younger than dad, long brown hair and big green eyes. She is rather beautifully and also quite nice, but she has always treated me awkwardly. She tries too hard around me, always trying to make it seems like we are the best of friends and we get along very well. To be honest, it kinda weirds me out.

I want to go live with mom.

I had to ask, maybe even beg. But I had to.

It was 14 past 9 and he should be getting home. Unless, like it often happened, he would just sleep at Anna's house. Still, I waited.

I had a few more months before the end of High School, so maybe if I was persuasive enough, I could get him to say yes.

By the time he got home, it was already 10:30.

"Hey Stefanie." He smiled, taking his shoes off as he fell back onto the couch in front of me.

"Hey dad… how was work?" I asked.

"Same old, same old." He waved his hand "How was school?"

"Same old, same old." I mocked.

"Are you making fun of me?" His gaze fell on me and before I knew it, he chuckled. "Come on tell your ol' Dad what happened at school."

"Well, would you like to know about Mr. O'Hare's family background? His mother was actually the own-"

"Okay, okay. Fine… change of subject." He cut me off. "Anna wanted to know if you would go dress hunting with her this weekend."

"Wedding dress hunting, you mean?"

"Yes… she wants me to drop you off at her house by 10, there will be someone coming to her with a few catalogue dresses, and she wants you to help her pick one." Dad explained.

"Doesn't she have… like… friends to do that with?"

"Come on, Stefanie, she is just trying to get to know you, don't be so harsh." He rubbed his eyes and leaned forward. "Plus, she might ask you to be a bride's maid." He smiled, hoping for a positive response, but all I could do was sigh.

"Dad, the wedding is meant to be next year, remember? She wanted her sister to be there and she can only come next year… Why is she picking dresses now?"

"TELL HIM NOW!" A voice in my head yelled. "I AM NOT PICKING OUT DRESSES FOR THAT WHORE!"

"Plus Dad… there is something I want to ask you."

"Yes, you can bring your boyfriend." He replied, shocking me.

"I…I don't have a boyfriend dad…." I mumbled.

"Then why do you seem so concerned about something? I'm sure Anna wouldn't mind. But I have to say, I would be quiet offended if you didn't introduce him to me before the wedding…" Dad continued. Sometimes, it felt as if he was pushing me out, as if he wanted me to move on with my life, but as soon as I took a step out of the nest he would shut the door right in my face and make up more rules. "Come on, in my time, the boy used to have to ask for the girls hand. Nowadays, you can just do wh-"

"Dad I wanna go live with mom."

"W-what?"

I was already regretting saying it; the frown on his face, the way his skin turned pale, almost as if he had seen a ghost. Damn it, I was already regretting it!

"You dropped the bomb now you have declared war, so fight, soldier! FIGHT!" The voice cried out again. For once, it was right, it was too late to turn back and just wave it off.

"You're getting married, you'll be living with Annabel! I don't want to be in the middle of you two. It'll be awkward. Plus, I'm finishing my studies, so please." I explained, hoping to God that everything would turn out okay.

"You wouldn't come inbetwee-"

"Dad, please!" I begged.

"But… Stef…"

OH NO! NO NO NO! Not the 'But… Stef.' The only time he'd called me by my nickname was when he was upset… too upset to say it all.

"ITS A TRAP! IT'S A TRAP!"

"When have I asked you for something? When have I ever let you down? Dad, for once, for once in your life, don't be so selfish!"

"I AM NOT SELFISH! DON'T BE LIKE YOUR MOTHER! I AM NOT SELFISH!" He jumped up and walked away.

"Then why are you keeping me in this hellhole? Waiting for you when you are out having fun with another woman?" I whispered just loud enough for him to hear me. When he stopped, I knew it had worked. I could see him turn, ready to yell something, but then he just sighed.

"Finish school… At the end of summer holidays, I will drive you down to your mother's." And with that, he walked away. His voice had sounded awfully low, almost as if it pained him to say it. I was sure it was hard. After all, I had spent my past 9 years with him.

But now that Dad had someone to take care of him, it was my chance to take back the responsibilities I handed over to Ted on the day that I left. I was the eldest after all, and now I had to assume that role and be the one to take care of my mother and brother.

Damn, I was looking forward to being the one to hand over that reassuring smile again.