Okay, you're all like, what the hell? An update? So soon???? I know, I know. Is it the end of the world? No, folks, I just have a LOT of homework that I'm just so damn determined to avoid, so instead of doing it, I'm working on the story. Not to mention, I have a great sympathy for my wonderful readers.
Also, so I'm posting this without going back and rereading it, so beware! Okay, also.
ENJOY.
He woke the next morning to an empty house. A pot of coffee was made, still hot. A note sat on the table.
"Be back tonight. Party's at 7."
He poured himself some coffee and sat down to stare at the table, rereading the note. At least Tommy was "talking" to him. Even if it was only through writing. Sighing, he stood to make himself a breakfast of eggs and toast, turning on the radio and flipping through the stations and listening with only half-hearted interest.
After polishing off the coffee and his breakfast, he washed his dishes and the few that were in the sink and soon he had broken out the vacuum cleaner, washed the counters, and was in danger of mopping the kitchen floor when his cell phone rang. He had to hunt around for his cell phone before finding it on the TV stand and realized Tommy must have set it up there since the last time he'd seen it, it had been in danger of disappearing under the couch. He didn't recognize the number and flipped it open, somewhat nervous, hoping that it was Tommy.
"Hello?"
"Hey, Chuckie."
"Oh, hey Kimi." He said, and tried to fight off the wave of disappointment but it was clear in his voice.
"Well, geez, don't sound too excited." Kimi said, and he could clearly see her rolling her eyes.
"Sorry. Tommy and I kind of had an argument last night and I thought you were him."
"Oh." She was silent for a moment, "Well, I was calling 'cause we haven't had any quality time and I wanted to see if you wanted to go to lunch."
"Yeah sure."
"Cool. I'll pick you up in about an hour. How's that?"
"Sounds fine… where we going?" Chuckie asked looking down, still wearing the rumpled clothing from the first morning.
"No place you need to dress up for, don't worry." She said, grinning.
"I wasn't worried about that." He lied.
"Well, I was going to take you over to Target to pick up some clothes anyways. It just wont do to have my brother walking around looking like a hobo."
"I don't look like I hobo."
"Walking around for four days in the same clothes?" She said, "That's the kind of thing they'll bring up when I run for president."
"What?" He gave a half laugh.
"Hey, they look for anything nowadays, and well, since I'm perfect, they'll be looking at my family." She said and he could her the smirk in her voice.
"Yeah, perfect, sure." He said and she broke down and laughed.
"I'll see you in a bit."
"Alright." They hung up simultaneously. He went into the bathroom where he shaved and took a quick shower and did his best to straighten out his clothes, all the time doing his best not to think about Tommy. He and Tommy rarely ever fought growing up, and when they did, all they had to do was back off for a day or two and then one would call the other and it was as if it had never happened. What if time apart wasn't going to be enough? He groaned and rubbed at his face. He feared that maybe whatever was in the bag was going to be the biggest wedge they'd ever had driven between them and it might be something that they couldn't come back from.
A knock on the door startled him and he jumped. Kimi smiled at him when he opened the door and she turned to walk back toward the car. She wore a gray pantsuit that was a stark contrast to her usual bright, creative clothing. He locked the door and followed her.
"I don't know about you being a politician." He said when they climbed into her Benz.
"Oh? Why not?"
"You wont be able to keep up this good behavior for too long. Or the clothes." He said. She laughed in response and started the car.
"So, where we going?"
"Target first, you look worse than I thought." He made a noise of indignation but said nothing. "And a steakhouse for lunch."
At Target, Chuckie was thoroughly and severely reminded why he hated shopping with anybody, let alone his sister. She insisted on picking clothes for him to try on, knowing full well that he'd never wear them. She refused to let up on several outfits and he somehow found himself walking out of Target with two bags full of clothes he was sure were going to end up in the bottom of his dresser once he got home. He wore a pair of jeans and a black tee out of the store. Kimi had a gloating smile on her face but said nothing when he grumbled about wasted money and wasted space.
The steakhouse was only several minutes away and they were soon sitting across from each other in a booth against a window. The waitress took their orders and Kimi soon had an iced tea and he, a water, sitting in front of them. He sipped it in silence while they waited for their food.
"So, what were you n' Tommy arguing about?"
"Huh?' He turned to her, having forgotten he'd told her that morning, "Um, well, you know."
"If I did, I wouldn't be asking." She said lightly, smiling.
"I'm just worried about him, and, you know how he is. He doesn't like to be worried about." He said, hoping that she'd buy it.
"You amaze me, Chuckie." She said.
"What?"
"You honestly think you can get away with lying? To me? You sorely under estimate me."
"I'm not lying." He said.
"Oh please, you know your voice gets all squeaky and you get those little beads of sweat on your forehead." He instinctively brought his hand up to wipe his forehead and she laughed when his hand came down dry.
"So come on, what's up?" Kimi persisted. Chuckie looked, trying to figure out the best way to satiate her curiosity and still not give up everything, especially since he wasn't really sure about anything.
"I'm worried he might be drinking too much."
"Hmm." Kimi said in response and the waitress thankfully chose that moment to appear and slide their plates in front of them. He dug into his mashed garlic potatoes and ignored Kimi's gaze as she sliced her steak.
"I'm not really surprised." She said after a few moments and he looked up, startled.
"Huh?"
"Well, he's had so much happen. Their parents dying, Dil going off to college, and you, of course."
"What?" But Kimi took that moment to flag down the waitress to ask for some more of the steak sauce, and then as she walked away. Kimi's phone started ringing and she opened it. Chuckie glared at her, as though she'd planned this.
"Hello?…. Oh hey, Tommy." Chuckie dropped his fork and it clattered loudly against his plate. Kimi looked up and grinned at him. "How's everything going?… Oh, yeah, not a problem. What all did you need?… Okay…. No, really. It's not a problem… Okay, see you tonight." She hung up and went back to eating her food, not bothering to even glance at Chuckie who was waiting for her to speak.
"Well?"
"Well, what?" She asked.
"What'd he want?"
"Oh, just wanted me to pick up some stuff for tonight."
"And, what'd you mean earlier? About me?"
"You? You're such an egotist." Kimi said teasingly.
"C'mon, you have to explain yourself." He said, more than a little frustrated and Kimi simply went back to eating. Chuckie stared at her, waiting for her to cave. She didn't and carefully avoided his gaze.
"You're a jerk." He finally decided and they finished their meals.
Kimi dropped him off with the promise to be back at about 6, saying she had a few things to do for her boss before she came back. He flipped the TV on, determined to zone out until Tommy got to the house and he was forced to address all the issues that had come out in the past couple of days.
At about five, the front door opened and Chuckie shot up. Tommy came in, two grocery bags in hands. He refused to glance his way and, after setting the bags on the kitchen table and walked to his bedroom without a word.
Chuckie sighed and sat back against the couch. Perhaps he should just get his car ready to go. Tommy was sure to kick him out when it was all over and done with. What a pain.
I know I'm mean. You thought you were getting something good. Anywho... Reviews are always appreciated.
