Two Against Two

Chapter 3

December 22, 1990-8:20 A.M.

(Christine's POV:)

I'm currently sitting at my desk, going over some paperwork for my boss, Chanice, when the phone rings. I pick up the receiver and politely say, "Russell's Auto Repair, Christine speaking. How may I help you?"

"Christine, this is Thomas. Your parents just left for Paris. I think they might've forgotten your brother Kevin..."

I drop the receiver. My voice choked up, and a feeling of dread overtakes my body, while I hear Mr. Marley asking if I'm still there, as I go into a trance. "Hello? Christine? Are you there?"

Hi, my name is Christine Miranda McCallister-eldest child of Peter and Kate McCallister, the-not-so-greatest parents in the World.

They were great parents, until I was the age of seven, or was it eight, when I had to move away from my wonderful hometown of Indianapolis to the city of Chicago, because my Dad, or I should say, Peter, got a promotion at the investment firm he worked for.

Dad's new job in a different city didn't mean much to me, because it meant I was leaving behind my first cousin on my Dad's side, who's also my sister/best friend in the whole wide world, Tia.

I begged and pleaded with Kate and Peter not to move, but they came up with some story how life for the family would be better living in Chicago. Kate also brought up that the family needed the extra income after announcing she was pregnant again. It wasn't that long ago she give birth to my brother Buzz.

I knew life was going to suck in Chicago, especially without Tia, even though Kate and Peter both promised I could call her. Personally, I believed they wanted to separate the both of us.

My resentment really grew about several months after Jeff was born, when Kate announced she was pregnant again.

I resented Kate about having so many kids so close together now and not when I was little, but my resentment softened quite a bit, after my meeting my younger twin sisters, Megan and Linnie for the first time.

Then, about a year and a half, or two before I left home, Kate announced she was pregnant again with child number six.

Around this time, my wild side and hotheaded nature was beginning to show and it was causing major problems with Kate and Peter, especially the arguments between Kate and Peter, and I .

I hate to admit it, but I loved Kevin, when I first laid my eyes on his blue ones. I spent as much as I could with Kevin, knowing I wasn't going to be living at home for much longer.

I knew a big fight was on the horizon with Kate and Peter, when I ran into Tia at one of my local hangouts. It was total surprise, but I was very happy to see her after so many years.

I discovered from that meeting, that Tia had been living in Chicago for over a year, and she too had mixed feelings about moving away from Indianapolis.

I was angered at that revelation that Tia had been living in Chicago for a whole year because Peter and Kate had to known this and they didn't tell me. It just gave more reason to believe that Peter and Kate wanted to keep Tia and I separated.

It was on that day she invited me to an out-of-State concert in Muncie, Indiana. Kate and Peter told me I couldn't go. Being the wild hothead that I was, I went, anyway. That concert led to the fight that I had with my parents and the motivation to leave my home for good.

A few weeks after I left home, I wrote a letter to Mr. Marley, explaining where I was, and how to reach me in a emergency. I also kept in contact with Mr. Marley regularly. I secretly stayed with Tia, until I could find myself a place of my own.

I had to keep out of sight from Uncle Patrick and Aunt Cindy, because they would tell my parents where I was. I made a promise to myself I was going to leave Chicago, if my parents found out.

I also discovered from staying with Tia that she had two newborn baby siblings, named Miles and Maizy. A pang of sadness struck me, when I noticed the resemblance that Miles shared with Kevin.

I thought the gig was up, when Uncle Russell, known as Uncle Buck by his friends, discovered me in Tia's room a few months later. Tia and I were both shocked at his appearance, since he was not well liked by Tia's dad, my Uncle Patrick, and Uncle Frank. Uncle Buck was closer to Peter, and my Uncle Rob.

Tia explained that Uncle Patrick and Aunt Cindy had to leave home, due to an illness with Cindy's Father, and that Uncle Buck was in charge. Uncle Buck, at first, asked me what I was doing there, and not at home.

I explained to him everything that happened between my parents and I. Uncle Buck of course scolded me about running away from home, but he also understood my position as well, being the black sheep of the family.

He promised he would not tell a soul about where I was, and that it was up to me to decide when I should tell the Mom and Dad about my whereabouts, much to my Aunt Chanice disapproval when Uncle Buck told her the news.

Uncle Buck offered me a place to stay at his place, until I can find one of my own, knowing it would be big trouble with my Uncle Patrick and Aunt Cindy, if I continued to stay with Tia.

Uncle Buck also gave me a part-time job at his wife's auto repair business, doing paperwork, answering phones, and my uncle teaching me how to fix cars, something I dreamed about doing for a long time…

(Snap, snap, snap)

"Hello? Christine? Are you there?" I hear my Uncle Buck laugh, snapping me out of the daze I was in.

"Oh, Uncle Buck... Hi...I must have gone into a trance for a second, after finding out Kevin was home alone. Oh my, I was talking to Mr. Marley, before I suddenly went into a trance, and I must have left him on hold for a long time.

"Oh god, Kevin is home alone...I need to get to him and make sure he's okay, because Peter and Kate had the nerve to abandon him!" I say, feeling a mixture of anger and panic.

"Christine, calm down. Here, take a drink of water," Uncle Bucks says, handing me a cup of water, which I quickly gulp down.

"I also talked to your old neighbor on the phone, and he explained everything to me about the situation with Kevin. I know you and your parents have your differences, but I don't think you should blame them about Kevin being left alone." Buck says, calmly.

"Why shouldn't I?" I retort, my temper flaring.

"Well, place yourself in your parents' shoes… And do not give me that nasty look, young lady!" Buck points his finger as a warning to me, while I scowl at Buck at the mention of Peter and Kate.

"I'm sure your Mother and Father are worried about Kevin, too, and even more so, since they are thousands of miles away on a plane to Paris. They must feel helpless right now, being on a plane, no way of knowing if your brother is okay. And, from what your neighbor told me, phone lines are down in Winnetka."

"I guess I'd better be getting packed up and get on the road to home, before traffic becomes a nightmare, especially since it's the holidays,"

"Christine, a piece of advice before you go: just promise me that you'll use this time you have at home to be willing to forgive your parents,"

"I'll try, Uncle Buck, but I'm not making any promises",

"Just try, then. I will explain to your Aunt Chanice everything about why I'm giving you time off with pay. I'm just a phone call away, if you need anything,"

"Thanks, Uncle Buck," I hug him.

"You're welcome, kiddo," he says to me, returning the hug.

"Tell Tia where I'm at, if she needs to reach me. I know she's going to spend Christmas with her parents and siblings in Indianapolis,"

"I will, and remember, Christine, miracles are known to happen at Christmas. Tia and her parents patched up things around close to that time,"

"You don't have to say any more. I get the hint," Rolling my eyes.

"Stay safe, kiddo," he says, grinning.

"I will. Bye, Uncle Buck," grabbing my things and giving Uncle Buck one more hug before leaving my office.

I exit the repair shop and head out to the parking area located behind the garage.

I climb into my Blue 1989 Ford Escort. I pull out of the parking lot, leaving the garage, which is located in Downtown Chicago, and began heading in the direction of my apartment, which is located in Lincoln Park, which is about several blocks north. Traffic isn't bad, thank goodness.

As I'm walking up the stairs to my second floor apartment, I realize I need to buy Kevin, and the rest of my siblings something for Christmas. I can do that, after I make sure Kevin is OK.

I make sure to pack up enough clothes and personal items. I also make sure I have enough money for Kevin and I to spend on things we might need like food for example. I suspect Uncle Buck might have put some extra cash in my purse while I was not looking.

I also grab my Walkman and several of my favorite tapes. I pack all of that up, head back to my car, and start my journey back to Winnetka, a place I haven't called home, or visited in seven years...

END