Two Against Two

Chapter 4

December 22, 1990-9:30 A.M.

(Christine's POV:)

It usually takes the average commuter 1 Hour to reach Winnetka from Downtown Chicago. Not today, as unfortunately, traffic is very sluggish, mostly because of holiday travelers trying to reach their destinations. In addition, it's also morning rush hour for those unlucky people that didn't get a day off from work.

I use this time driving through traffic to sort the mixed emotions that I am feeling about going home for the first time in seven years. I should be feeling completely upset about the thought of even returning home, but I'm not, and I don't understand why.

I always cared about my siblings, even though they probably have no memories of their older sister, especially Kevin. Mr. Marley has been keeping me updated about my family's well-being, even Peter and Kate's. I consider Mr. Marley one of my dearest friends.

In the last conversation I had with Mr. Marley, before he called me about Kevin being home alone, he mentioned something about Uncle Frank and his family visiting my family.

I never cared for Uncle Frank; he came off as a greedy jerk that put himself before anyone else. He always made snide remarks about my lifestyle of living spontaneously, and he got under my skin, whenever he asked me, "How's my little wild hothead doing today?"

I knew he was baiting me to get into trouble with Peter and Kate, because I always took the bait and got sent up to my attic bedroom afterwards. I become upset, when I think about Peter and Kate, and how stupid they must have been to forget about Kevin. Were they in too much of a hurry to do a headcount?

After an hour and a half of commute, I finally reach the exit that will take me into the City of Winnetka. Lincoln Blvd. is about ten to fifteen blocks North from the off ramp.

I notice that I'm getting closer to my old home, when I see the little store I used to spend time at, when I lived at home. I notice gas is a little cheaper here than in Downtown Chicago.

I use to ride my old Moped here to the corner store during the summer time. Kate hated my Moped, especially when my siblings wanted me to give them rides on it.

I might as well try to call home to see if Kevin's OK and call Mr. Marley, as well. I pull into the gas station, next to one of the gas pumps. Get some gas too perhaps, since I am below half a tank and some food, since Kevin might be hungry.

The temperature feels a lot colder in Winnetka, with a little more snow on the ground when compared to Chicago, as I step out of the car and head inside the store.

I stroll over to the payphone, located inside the store and dial my old home phone number. I get a message, saying that this line is not in service. Uncle Buck did mention the phone lines were down in Winnetka. I pay for the gas that I pumped into my car, and for the food that I purchased for Kevin and myself.

I get back into the car and head for my old house, which is three blocks East-Southeast from my current location. I'm overcome with mixed emotions, as I turn onto Lincoln Blvd

I try to distract myself, by looking at the nice house decorations that the residents have put up for Christmas, and then it hits me; my old house is right in front of me.

I start crying, as I stare at the multi-story house I have not seen in years, as the good and bad memories start flowing through my mind. I gain the strength to put those memories behind me, for now, for the sake of my youngest brother.

I pull into the driveway and park my car in front of the garage. I notice the doors hasn't been closed, and the cars inside are open to invitation to be stolen by thieves. My family must have gotten dumber since I left.

I may dislike some of my family, but I don't want anything bad happening to them, or something of theirs getting stolen, because of their stupidity. I take the time to close the garage doors and make sure they are locked tight.

My nerves are fluttering, and my teeth are chattering from the cold, as I search for my old house key that will unlock the front door. I don't want to scare Kevin, by going in the back or the basement door, especially. I walk the path that leads to the front door, as I carry the food I had purchased.

I can get the rest of my stuff later. I notice an ugly, beat-up blue van parked at the house across the street. I also notice several utility repairmen working on the lines and cleaning up down tree limbs.

" Well that explains why there's no phone service." I mused.

I walk up the front steps and check to see if the front door is locked. It is, so I stick the key into the lock and turn it. My nerves are really fluttering, as I'm just inches away from meeting Kevin.

I take a relaxing deep breath to calm my nerves, as I open the door and stroll into the foyer. "Nothing has changed, except for the furniture..." I mutter to myself, as I close the door softly, locking it, as I look around at the new things that Peter and Kate have bought, since I left home, while looking for Kevin.

I could shout his name, but I don't want him to panic. I head toward the kitchen, where I can prepare Kevin the breakfast that I bought for him at the corner store.

A look of disgust appears on my face, as I immediately notice the mess of ice cream and chocolate fudge dripping from the kitchen counters. I set the food on the kitchen table and mutter, "I would have had ice cream for breakfast, too, if I was his age and left home alone..."

I figure out where my brother is, when I hear gunfire and a crazy laugh from the movie, Angels with Filthy Souls. I panic, when I hear Kevin scream loudly for Mom. I quickly make my way towards the den.

My heart jumps, when my eyes spot Kevin, who's in the leather chair, cowered under the blanket, scared. I notice strings of blonde hair sticking out from under the covers, as I stand at the entrance of the den, watching Kevin...

I become anxious, when I notice the blanket stirring and suddenly drop on to the floor. "I'm about to meet my baby brother," I muse to my myself. Oh god, how is he going to react to seeing me standing here? I'm just a complete stranger to him.

This isn't going to go well, after he proclaims he's going to trash Buzz's room (which causes me to snicker inside)... He starts running toward me, like a white blur, due to the white sweater he's wearing.

Apparently, he's not paying attention to his surroundings and looks hyper. Oh god, he is about to crash into me, and he doesn't know it. I stumble backwards a bit, as Kevin's face hits my midsection, and he falls on his behind.

Kevin looks like he's fine, as he's not crying. Kevin just shakes it off and looks up to see what he bumped into. He makes eye contact with me. A look of fear shows on his face, and he starts screaming. I have to hold my ears, because Kevin has a set of lungs.

I notice Kevin starting to back away and about to make a run towards the kitchen.

"Kevin, stop! I'm not going to hurt you!" I command. Kevin freezes at his name and turns around...

(Kevin's POV:)

I'm starting to regret a little that I wished my parents to disappear... Maybe just my mom. The rest can stay disappeared, especially Uncle Frank. I'm eight years old, and I shouldn't be hiding under a cover, scared like I'm five. I should be running around the house, acting crazy, since I'm home alone.

"I have free reign of the whole house, and I should be taking advantage of exploring it, especially Buzz's room," I muse.

I smile, suddenly, as I get an idea. "Buzz, I'm about to trash your room, you'd better come out and stop me!" I yell.

I leap off my Dad's chair, full of excitement, since I had a large intake of sugar and start running toward the stairs, without paying attention to my surroundings...

Before I realize it, I hit against something soft and fall on my behind. It didn't hurt or anything. I just shake it off. I'm interested about what I bumped into, because I don't recall a wall being in front of the den entrance.

So, I look up, and notice that there's a strange red-headed woman that I've never seen in my entire life, staring at me, with a concern look on her face. A sense of fear creeps into my mind, as I start wondering how she got into my house and why she's in my house. It's also scary that she looks like a younger version of my mother.

The only thing I can do is scream and run away for help. I notice that she holds her ears, as I begin backing away, screaming, and preparing to make a break for the kitchen.

I don't get very far, as I unwillingly freeze from running, in fear, of course, after the strange woman yells at me to stop. She sounds a lot like Mom, which makes me more scared. She somehow knows my name, which scares me even more.

She mentions that she's not going to hurt me. The only thing I can do is turn around and ask, "Who are you? What gives you the right to break into my house, you burglar? And how does a burglar, like you, know my name?..."

END