"Mommy, where has brother gone?"
The woman crushed the note in her thin fist with frustration.
"Away, Angela. Away."
--
His face turned beat red, exactly the way it used to when the older boys teased him in the school yards, and he grabbed me fiercely the collar. He opened his mouth to speak but all that came out was an aggravated sigh.
"Not here…" He whispered to himself. With a strong tug, Anthony dragged me into the tiny wood hallway.
A beat. He took in a heavy breath before closing in on me.
"Why are you heah?" He demanded with a newfound thick accent. I didn't ask on that, I knew he must have picked up on it quickly from the other boys.
"Same reason you are." I tried to keep my voice calm, but he frightened me so much. He could be so aggressive with me.
Why aren't you happy to see me?
"You're part of the reason I left. We ain't da same person no matter what you say."
I wasn't sure if he could read my mind or that's just how he worded his reply, but I sure did think he knew me better than anyone.
"I'm not saying we are. But don't you care about me? You had me worried sick. I haven't slept soundly in years, Anthony."
"Don't call me that!" He hollered sharply. The words pierced my ears and caused my eyes to flood with salty tears. My vision grew blurry.
"Who are you? Because you are not my brother, clearly." I pushed him back from me to give myself space to wipe my soaked cheeks.
"It's good ta know ya've finally figured dat out." He sneered strolling casually back into the bunkroom. With one final glance he slammed the door close. The bang of the hollow wood door echoed in my ears.
How could he just reject me?
The thought sat heavily on my mind. Rejected. It hurt to even think about. These thoughts raged inside me. I pounded my fists on the hard oak walls; my teeth bit so sharply on my lower lip blood began to flow from it.
No one can see me like this… What will I say?
I took to the set of stairs and flew down each step. I wanted to go home but Anthony had his time alone and it was time to make things right between us.
Did I say something to him to make him leave? The thought repeated itself through my head as I ran.
--
"Anthony, come play with me!"
The little boy shook his head hard; his dark hair flew around him.
"No!" He stated.
Her eyes dropped to the marble tiles; she hid her teary eyes under the perfect curls that looped down from her scalp. A whimper escaped her.
"But you never play with me…" she wept.
"That is not true! I do play with you. Every day, all the time. In fact, I have played with you so much I do not wish to play with you no more. I am all played out."
"Do you not love me brother?"
He thought about this for a moment.
"No Angela. I do not think I do..."