Chapter Twelve
It's been months since Kimi's miscarriage. She has started coming out of her room. Eating meals at the table, going for walks outside, babysitting.
Chuckie was extremely happy to have his little sister back.
But he also wondered why there was such a sudden change in her behavior. What was it that brought her out of the depression? Well, did it matter?
Chuckie lost interest in Nicole. They had broken up, but on good terms. She and Kimi were still good friends.
Spring was in the air. The birds were belting out their melodies and the grass was green and lush. Chuckie, after taking his allergy medication, took a deep breath and smiled. Spring was his favorite.
He had woken up to the house empty. Parents at work, Kimi out, so why not take a walk?
Walking downtown, he passed the library. Little kids playing and sharing books outside in the fresh air. Children climbing trees. It reminded Chuckie of when he and his friends were younger. Him, Kimi, Tommy, Phil and Lil would come to this same library all the time.
He walked a little farther to the small diner. He thought for a moment and decided he could go for a vanilla milkshake. He stepped inside. He was not expecting to see what he did.
Two booths from the front door was his little sister and his best friend since childhood. Feeding each other French fries. Sharing a chocolate shake. Giggling. Smiling.
Maybe it's nothing. Chuckie thought.
Just as he was about to turn around and walk out, it hapoened.
THEY KISSED.
Chuckie's jaw dropped. That's why Kimi was suddenly so happy. That's why she was coming out of her room. Why she was better.
He was glad Kimi was happy, but he didn't want it to be him. Not Tommy. If anyone knew Tommy, it was Chuckie. And Chuckie knew Tommy all too well. He knew what he did to girls. How he treated women. Chuckie did not want his sister treated that way.
But he also didn't want to cause a confrontation in public. That would be embarrassing. Almost as embarrassing as getting caught watching people make out in a diner. People were starting to stare at him. But he was frozen.
He caught his breath and ran out of the diner.
He ran all the way home. Tripping and stumbling on his shoe laces. He only stopped to breathe when he got to the front door. Chuckie didn't know what to do with the information he had just gathered. Who would he talk to? Kimi or Tommy? Both of them? Neither? Forget he saw the whole thing? He made his way to his room and jumped on to his bed. He hung his head upside down off his bed. Thats what he usually does to think. Confused, angry and a little hurt, he came to a conclusion. He would talk to Tommy.