"Lippy Kids" - Elbow
CAN I JUST SAY... THANK YOU TO THE INFLUX OF PEOPLE JUMPING INTO THIS STORY. SO MANY NEW FACES! HI, HELLO! WELCOME!
Okay... moving on ha. I don't know if anyone actually like the children chapters, but I feel like we need more content on them. Their names have been thrown around a fair bit and I've had this chapter brewing for some time now.
I uh... should probably put a warning on this chapter. So WARNING! This chapter does exhibit mild content. In the sense that some households are not all sunshine and rainbows. We all deal with different things in our homes that make us who we are. Elaine is kind, compassionate, and understanding to the mentally ill because she is around it 24/7. Her mother was a living soul living in Hell for years, being tortures and experimented on. She has flashbacks and traumatic dreams about those days. We've seen how Malcolm acted, same with Charolette Richards. Being a teenager isn't the easiest thing in the world. You're an outcast and feel alone. Bundle that up with being the daughter of an angel, you got our lost Elaine.
It's not all sadness, don't worry! There's banter and sibling fun!
I am not sure if anyone caught on that this small family is not in the US. They are in the UK. In the comics, Elaine was raised in England. I wanted to keep that as true as possible. Some of the accents come out, some don't. I'm not British! I know there might be different words they use, but remember this family has been traveling around trying to stay hidden. As we found out in the last chapter, they were in New York for a little. So you have chopped up accents from all of them.
Hope you all enjoy! I absolutely love writing for Elaine. Hope to see her intergrade with the rest of the characters very soon!
Oh yeah! Song title is brought to you by, Elbow! It is the song Elaine is listening to when... well you'll see.
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Cal's room
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Elaine sat at her brother's desk engrossed in the notebook that she pulled from her dream. A small lamp was the only thing illuminating the pages. She picked her right leg up and placed it on the chair. Her chest rested against her thigh as she leaned forward. She couldn't believe what she was reading. She flipped through the pages like she was reading a best selling novel.
There were drawings of monsters and horned beasts. Women with half burned faces. Weapons and knives straight out of the middle ages. And it wasn't just drawings. There were texts inside that blew her mind. Elaine couldn't believe the imagination her brother had.
She knew Cal was artistic and imaginative, but this was a whole new level. His writings were in the first person, almost as if he'd been to the place himself. The details in his writings were heavily constructed and enriched. There was no doubt he hadn't been to the place he had visited.
As a sound of a creaking board echoed out into the room, Elaine hurried and shoved the notebook into the drawer. She pulled her school work in front of her and pretended to be doing her homework. The doorknob to the room opened and Alastair opened the door.
"What in the…" He reached his hand out and found the light switch. He turned on the light, lighting up the room. "Christ child, you're going to ruin those eyes. Why are you doing your school work in the dark?"
"I have the desk lamp on…"
Alastair shook his head. He opened the door wide and stepped inside. Elaine put her leg down and sat up straight. She flashed a smile on her face as her uncle came to stand beside her. He placed his hand on the textbook and hummed.
"I see you've finished."
"Yup! I was just checking to see if the answers were right."
"I can look over it for you, if you'd like."
Elaine shook her head, "I'm fine, uncle Al."
"You sure?"
"Yeah... I don't want to take up your time."
"Oh, I'm not doing much tonight. Your mother has retired for the night... She wasn't up for dinner."
"Bad day?"
"Yeah…" He ran his hand along Elaine's back. "Are you hungry?"
"A little."
"Come, I went out and got us some grub."
"What are we having tonight?" Elaine asked. She pushed herself away from the desk and stood up.
"I ran into town and got us some fish and chips. It was the only thing open."
"That's fine."
"Alright, well put away your school work and meet me downstairs."
"Aye aye, Captain!"
Elaine gave her uncle a salute that earned her a head shake. As Alastair made his way out of the room, Elaine sprang into action and grabbed the notebook out of the drawer. She just knew her uncle didn't buy her little stunt about doing school work, so she knew she had to hide the notebook in a better spot. As she kept circling the room, trying to find a spot, Elaine opted to shoving it in between the mattress and box spring.
"Elaine!" Alastair called out. "Are you coming?"
"Yes! Just…" She didn't know what to say. "Ugh, just getting out of the loo!"
She rushed over to the private room and flushed the toilet. Worried he'd start calling out again, Elaine rushed down the stairs into the dinning room. Alastair was placing drinks for them out on the table. As he turned around, he noticed his niece reaching out, grabbing a hold of a bag that was on the table. Her grubby hands already began to take the food out from inside the bag.
"Nuh-uh. Get ya' grubby little hands off." He brushed her hands away. "Hands. Washed. Now," Alastair ordered.
"But…"
"No butts, young miss. Off you go. Don't think for one second I wouldn't know you didn't wash your hands."
"I… Fine," she grumbled.
Alastair watched her go. He let a smile form on his face as he listened to her complain. He shook his head and picked up the bags Elaine was working on. He pulled out the food and began placing them on the table.
"Save me the crispy ones!" Elaine called out. Her head popped out from the bathroom and then went back inside.
"There are no crispy ones," Alastair called out. He picked up a crispy chip and shoved it into his mouth. The sound of the faucet turning off alerted him to hurry up his chewing.
"I've told you repeatedly to air out the bag."
"I forget," he smiled.
Elaine came out of the bathroom waving her hands in the air, attempting to air dry her hands. She gasped as she caught her uncle swallowing something.
"What did you just eat!"
"Nothing…"
"Are you eating all the crispy chips!" She rushed forward checking the small bags the chips came in. "You ate all the crispy ones, huh?"
Alastair let out a chuckle, "there was only one crispy chip."
"Mhmm." She rolled her eyes and had herself a seat at the head of the table. Alastair looked at her as she sat in his seat. As soon as her butt hit the cushion, she gave her body a quick shake to rub it into his face. "Take my chips, I'll take your seat."
"Oh, you big baby. There was only one."
"I highly doubt that." She crossed her legs under her butt, sitting criss-crossed.
"Come on now. Don't sit like that."
"Nope, sorry," she popped a chip into her mouth.
Alastair rolled his eyes. He pulled his food over to her designated chair and had himself a seat. As his butt hit the cushion, Alastair scrunched up his face.
"I swear… I just had these reupholstered the other month."
"Would you like me to get you a butt pillow?" Elaine asked. She popped another chip into her mouth.
He gave it some thought.
"No… It's fine."
"Can you pass me the ketchup?"
He reached over and placed the bottle in front of her.
"Thank you." She blew him a kiss and squirted half the bottle on her paper bag. Alastair shook his head. There was a small pile of ketchup on her makeshift plate. "What?"
"That's a lot of ketchup."
"I like ketchup."
"I can see that," he chuckled. "Should I get you your own bottle the next time I go into town?"
Elaine leaned forward and smiled.
"Maybe… You know they have these mini ketchup bottles at the American store in town. They are so cute! I wouldn't say no to one of those."
"I'll check it out," he smiled.
Alastair's eyes found the food in front of him once more. He went ahead and picked up a piece of his fried fish, breaking it in half. He shoved the smaller piece into his mouth, savoring the taste. While it was quiet, Elaine leaned forward to grab her uncle's attention.
"I was thinking..." She started.
"You're always thinking."
"But this time it actually makes sense."
Alastair hummed. He kept his eyes down on the food in front of him.
"Well, I was wondering…" She began.
"Yes?"
"I uh… I was wondering if I could visit Cal alone this weekend?"
"Alone? Why?"
Elaine shrugged her shoulders. Alastair looked up from his food and leaned back into his chair. He lifted his eyebrow waiting for a response.
"I… I just thought he'd like some sibling time. It's never just the two of us anymore. Not to be mean… but he isn't always in the best mood when you tag along…" She gave her uncle an apologetic look. "He still hasn't forgiven you for admitting him."
"We just saw him three days ago, Elaine."
"I know. I just…" She let out a sigh. "I don't know. I miss him." Elaine looked down at her food and frowned. She pushed around her chips trying to play the part of a saddened teenager.
"I understand that not having your brother around is hard. He was the heart of this household and things haven't been the same since he left -"
"But he didn't leave, you put him in a home."
"That wasn't my…" Alastair took a deep breath. He grabbed a napkin off the table and whipped his mouth clean. "My hands were tied, Elaine. He hurt that poor woman with his last episode."
"But Cal wasn't thinking straight. He said he thought something was chasing him. And... and he apologized profusely to the woman and the town."
"I know… But it wasn't enough. He's done this too many times, Elaine. You are too young to remember, but this wasn't the closet call he's had… Your brother…" He let out a sigh. "Your brother has had a hard time figuring out what's real and what's not for some time now. The town committee and I have agreed that Cal would be better in a care facility."
"But he's —"
"Being well taken care of," Alastair stressed.
"But he's miserable…"
"I know he is…"
Alastair pushed himself off the back of the chair. His elbows were on the table between his food. He looked over at Elaine and frowned. The look on the child was breaking his heart. He let out a breath of air when the look on the teenager's face was too great. He nodded his head finally giving in to Elaine's request.
"Fine… fine." He pulled his arms back and sat up straight. "You can visit your brother after school from now on."
"From now on? Like I can go after school, any time I want, by myself?"
Alastair nodded his head. He couldn't believe he had caved.
"Really?" Elaine uncrossed her legs. A smile started to break out on her face.
"I've gotten word from the facility that he's being uncooperative… Maybe seeing you will lift his spirits."
Elaine climbed out of the chair and rushed over to her uncle. She instantly wrapped her arms around his shoulder as she flew out of the chair.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" She peppered his cheek with kisses. Alastair scrunched up his face having not expected the show of affection.
"Alright, alright…" Alastair called out. His hand peeled the child away from his cheek, seeking space. Elaine relinquished her uncle's cheek, but kept her arms wrapped around Alastair.
"Every day?" She asked.
"Hmm… How about we try every other day first."
"And the weekends with you?"
"Yes."
A squeal squeaked out of Elaine. "Thank you so so much, uncle Al!" She gave him one last hug before pulling away.
"Mhm," he hummed.
Deep down inside of him there was a pit in his stomach. His hands slowly fell from her back and let Elaine pull away. There was so much happiness on her face, he couldn't get himself not to say no to her.
"Now, eat your good. It's getting cold."
"Okay, okay."
Elaine walked back to her chair and had herself a seat. There was a big smile on her face as she looked down at her food. She had gotten what she wanted without having to persuade her uncle. She achieved the impossible. She bit down on the inside of her cheek as she got what she wanted. She didn't want to rub her win in Alastair's face.
"I can still see that smile on your face, young miss."
Elaine's eyes widened. Her smile tightened trying not to smile.
"Mhmm." He lifted a chip up to his mouth and stared at her. "I can read your mind, you know?"
"Can you?" She asked, intrigued. Her legs folded under her butt once more getting comfortable. "What am I thinking about?"
"Pudding…" He said, surprised.
"Pudding?" There was a laugh that escaped her lips. "That's… Wow that's actually pretty accurate. I was thinking about pudding earlier. How did you…" She made a face. The sudden realization that he could actually read thoughts suddenly scared her. She immediately started scrambling her thoughts just in case.
"You're learning," he mumbled.
"Don't read my mind!"
Alastair had himself a chuckle as he managed to worry his niece. Instead of picking on her anymore, he picked up a chip and stuffed it into his mouth. His eyes were down on the food in front of him once more. A light smile spread across his lips as he managed to get her to believe he could actually read minds.
The two enjoyed their meal and retreated to the family room when they were done. Alastair sat in his favorite chair, while Elaine sat on the floor watching her favorite television program, Supernatural. Alastair tried to keep his comments to himself as the child watched her show. In the end, he had to excuse himself. He just couldn't seem to keep his comments to himself. The man retired to his study in the other room. The door stayed open just in case his niece wanted an audience with him. A few hours flew by before anyone demanded his attention.
"Alastair!" A woman's voice called out. The man in question placed his pen down on the desk and looked up from his notes. "Alastair!" Jude called out again in panic. Al shot up from his chair, pulling his glasses down.
"It's mum," Elaine met him at the door.
"I got this." He pushed her aside and knocked on Jude's door before entering. "Judie? Can I come in?"
"Alastair!"
The man hurried and opened the door, not bothering to wait for approval. As he made his way into the room, Elaine turned on the lights to help her uncle. In the corner of the room, she found her mother in the corner, terrified out of her mind. Alastair was on his knees trying to calm her down.
"I'm right here, dear. I'm right here. Can you focus on me?" He asked. His hands cupped the side of her face trying to get her to focus on him.
"Uncle Al?" Elaine called out concerned.
"Go to your room, Elaine. I got things from here."
"But I want to help…"
"You can't hel…" The statement died as he struggled to move Judie from off the floor. He moved her from the floor, placing her back on the bed. "I got things from here, niece. You don't need to see your mother like this."
Jude clung to Alastair's chest as she was once again placed into her bed. The woman was whispering foreign dialogue to Alastair. Language Elaine had never heard before. Just as the girl was about to question the words, Alastair turned over to his niece.
"Your mother wishes for privacy. Go to your room and listen to some music. You don't need to see this, little dove."
"But…" She tried getting another word, but her mother started crying. It sounded like she was in pain. Elaine stood rooted in her spot staring at the pair.
"Elaine… Room. Now," her uncle ordered.
Instead of questioning his words, Elaine nodded her head and retreated back into Cal's room. There were tears in her eyes as she listened to her mother cry out in pain. She closed the door behind her and let her back slide against the door. Her legs folded against her chest. She wrapped her arms around them pulling her legs closer. Tears poured out of her eyes as the screaming started.
Without warning, the sound system in Cal's room started playing music. The gentle key of D being played on the piano filled the room. Elaine looked up from her knee and over to the sound system. The bass followed soon after it. The whistling came as a surprise. She looked up interested to hear what came next.
"Lippy kids on the corner again... Lippy kids on the corner begin, setting like crows. Though I never perfected the simian stroll. The cigarette scent it was everything then… Do they know those days are golden? Build a rocket, boys… Build a rocket, boys!"
Elaine closed her eyes and let the voice take her on a journey. She laid her head back on her knees and held onto her legs for dear life. Something about the song had her in tears. It spoke to her in ways she didn't understand.
The muted cries of her mother could be heard over the softer part of the song. Elaine dropped her arms and hurried to cover her ears.
"One long June I came down from the trees, and cursed on cue. You were a freshly painted angel... walking on walls. Stealing booze and hour-long hungry kisses. And nobody knows me at home, anymore... Build a rocket, boys! Build a rocket, boys! Build a rocket, boys!"
Elaine rocked herself back and forth trying to drown out the pain that was flooding in her chest. The tears continued to pour as the words sunk into her brain. She shook her head trying to get her to drown out the tune. But it didn't work. In the background, she could still hear her mother screaming.
Unable to hold it in any longer, Elaine let the walls that were folding her together drop. A gasp came from her as she tried to steady her crying. She took deep breaths trying to get everything under control, but it didn't work. She went ahead and dropped her arms. Her head rested against the door once more. Her head tipped up, looking at the ceiling.
In. Out. Breath.
Elaine told herself. She clutched onto her necklace to help ground herself. As the song came to an end, she heard nothing but the soft key of D playing on the piano once more. Like a wave, the episode passed. She was fine. She took another deep breath to help steady her nerves. Once that was accomplished, Elaine picked herself off the floor and turned off the sound system. She was terrified to see what song would play next. With that done, Elaine climbed on the bed and slipped under the covers. As soon as her head hit the pillow, she fell asleep.
.
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St. Mary's Care Facility
.
Elaine waited patiently in the lounge area. Her backpack was on her lap, protectively guarding the notebook that rested inside. She'd been waiting for about twenty minutes now. The nurses had assured her that her brother was finishing up his session with his therapist. Elaine relaxed into her seat on the couch, twiddling her necklace around her fingers. It seemed to ground her when she needed it the most.
It was a new addition to her wardrobe. Alastair had given it to her. It was a simple black twine necklace with a crystal attached. She couldn't remember the name of the rock, but it stood out against her dull shirts with its rustic green shine.
As the minutes continued to drag on, Elaine opted to opening up her bag and pulling out Cal's notebook. She pushed herself to one half of the couch and angled her body so no one could see what she was reading. Just as she was about to flip the page to start reading a dialogue section, a woman hesitantly sat beside her. Elaine lifted her eyes off the page somewhat taken back by the girl's presence.
"Sorry to disturb you… I'm Julia," the girl extended her hand out, offering it to Elaine.
"Oh! I uh… Elaine." She placed the notebook face down on the side of her, extending her hand and shook Julia's hand. The woman flashed Elaine a smile as formalities were exchanged.
"I know who you are... Your brother talks a lot about you."
"My brother… you know Cal?" Elaine turned in her seat so she could face Julia better.
"Yeah! Your brother and I are friends. He's such a sweetheart."
"Cal, a sweetheart?" Elaine let out a hearty chuckle. "I wouldn't let him catch you saying that. He's very… well macho."
"Oh, I don't think he'd mind."
Elaine looked at the girl in front of her with fascination. She couldn't have been much older than her. Julia looked to be in her late teens, early twenties. Not exactly the same age as Cal, but just a year or two younger. Julia gave off innocence, but secretly crazy vibes. It was hard to describe, but Elaine could just feel it. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up on end. Something wasn't right about her. It was no wonder she was her brother's friend.
Elaine politely smiled at the girl. She didn't know what else to say to her. Just as she was about to place her brother's notebook back in her bag, a ruckus came from down the hall. Shouting between two men could be heard from the other side of the room. The two girls turned their heads and found Cal shouting at a man out in the hall. Elaine's face dropped immediately as she knew her brother was having one of his episodes. Julia stood up from her seat ready to help, but an orderly stopped her.
"I said it's real! I was there. You don't get the right to tell me what's real and what's not, you haven't been there. You don't know a thing!" Cal yelled out.
"Easy now, Calvin…" The man held his hands out trying to calm Cal down. "Easy. I believe you. I'm sorry… You're right, I haven't been there. I should not have said what I said. Who am I to tell you what's real and what's not? You're completely right."
"I know I am."
The man turned his head out into the lounge and found Elaine with a frown on her face. He motioned for her to stay where she was at. As Cal began to pace up and down the hall, the man turned his head back to his patient.
"Calvin…"
"What?" He snapped.
"You're baby sister is here. I'm sure you wouldn't want her to see you like this."
"No, she's not…" Cal turned his head and instantly saw Elaine. He stopped dead in his tracks and frowned. "Elaine? Elaine, what are you doing here?" He tried advancing, but stopped. He shook his head confused. "I… I'm seeing things," he told his therapist. "I'm… I'm seeing things!" Cal backed himself against a wall trying to ground himself.
"I see her too, Calvin. Elaine is here."
"I'm here, Cal. You're not seeing anything," Elaine called out. She slowly walked over to Cal and held her hand out. "I'm right here, Cal."
"Why… How… Does Alastair know you're here?"
"Yes…" She grabbed onto his hand and smiled. Like kindered spirits, electricity flew through them. He snapped out of his little episode and smiled down at his sister. "He gave me permission to come see you after class."
A chuckle escaped the boy's lips.
"How did you manage that?"
"Persuasion…" Elaine gave her brother's hand a squeeze.
"Miss Prince…" The man tried to grab Elaine's attention, "we weren't unaware of your arrival, but I'm happy that you could help de-escalate the situation. He seems to listen to you more."
"He's a bloody nutta'," Cal whispered to Elaine. He started fidgeting in his spot as the man kept his eyes on him.
"Alright… not helping, Cal." Elaine directed her attention off her brother and to the other man. "I'm sorry, I haven't seen you around, you are?"
"Dr. Murphy," the man stepped forward and offered his hand.
"Oh! Dr. Murphy," her eyes widened as she remembered Cal's heated discussions about the man. Elaine made no effort to shake the man's hand out of respect for her brother. She instead turned to her brother and told him to stop moving. "Sorry for my brother."
"I wouldn't apologize, you didn't do anything," Cal stated.
"Cal…"
"Mr. Prince… seeing as you have a visitor, I'll end our session here. Today was… productive."
"Don't call me Prince! I want no ties to -" Elaine stopped Cal from talking.
"Thank you, Dr. Murphy. My brother and I will be going now." She jerked Cal away from the hall. "Can't you be civil with people for once in your life?" Elaine dragged him into his room. As she went to close the door, Elaine found Julia with her backpack on Cal's bed.
"I grabbed your bag for you!"
"Oh… Thank you, Julia."
"Your notebook as well," she outstretched her hand with the black book in her possession.
"That's my book!" Cal called out. He rushed over and took it from the girl's hands. "What are you doing with this?" He turned to Elaine.
"You gave it to me, remember?"
"No, I didn't…"
"Uh, yeah you did."
A sudden realization hit him. "You little astro projector," he whispered. Cal's face lit up in a smile. He was sure Elaine didn't even know what she was admitting to. "I know for a fact I didn't give this to you, Ells." He waved the book in her face.
"Yes, you did."
"No, I did not." He stressed.
"Yes, you…" She stopped talking as his eyebrows lifted. "You didn't give that to me, did you?"
"No, I did not. I've been looking for this everywhere! I thought the orderlies took it away. I've been accusing Miss Tilly for days now." He opened the book to check the pages. Everything seemed to be there. "You took this that night didn't you?"
"I… I woke up with it. It was on my lap when I woke up. I thought you gave it to me…."
"No... Does Alastair know about this?"
"No…"
"What's in the notebook?" Julia asked. She was still on Cal's bed staring at the siblings.
"Nothing…" Cal mumbled.
"Only the best written first person story I've ever read!" Elaine exclaimed.
"Elaine…" Cal warned.
"I didn't know you wrote stories?" Julia asked.
"I don't."
"Then what was that I read in your notebook?" Elaine asked.
"My journal…"
"Stop," Elaine chuckled. "That can't possibly be actual content inside your daily life."
"Who said anything about it being a daily journal?" Cal snapped. He took a deep breath to calm himself down. He was getting worked up for no reason. "Don't go through my shit, Ells."
"But I didn't go through your stuff… Like I said, it was on my lap when I woke up…" Elaine looked at her brother with a frown on her face. "I just… I thought you gave it to me."
"I…" He looked down at his notebook and then back to Elaine. "I believe you, but you can't have this. If Alastair finds this on you…" He shook his head. "You'll be in deep shit, lil sis. I'm sorry."
"But… but -"
"No. I'm sorry, but no amount of begging will get me to allow you to have this. I honestly can't let Alastair catch this with you."
"What's in it?" Julia asked. She pushed herself off the edge of the bed and walked over to Cal. She reached out to grab it, but Cal shoved it in his back pocket.
"It's nothing."
"Obviously it's something. You just said your uncle can't catch your sister with it. So what could possibly be inside?"
"It's not for morals attention," he responded.
"Your mortal," Julia stated. She crossed her arms over her chest and stared at Cal.
"No, I'm not. Cut me and I don't bleed."
"Bullshit," Julia replied.
"Come on then, give it a try." Cal held out his arm. Elaine rushed over to her brother's side and pulled his arm back so Julia wouldn't try anything.
"Alright, Cal. Enough," Elaine said.
"No, no. I want to prove her wrong."
"Cal, stop it," Elaine stressed.
"Come on, Julia. Hit me right in the nose."
"Oh my Gosh. Stop it, Cal."
"I'll gladly punch you in the face," Julia said.
"Come on then, right here." Cal leaned down, giving Julia a better shot at punching him. The girl started retracting her arm back ready to deliver a blow.
Elaine pulled her brother back just in time for Julia's hand to go by his face.
"You, idiot!" Elaine yelled. "Stop this now or I am leaving and not coming back until uncle Al drags me down on the weekend."
Cal pulled his arm out of his sister's grasp. He grumbled something under his breath while walking away.
"Julia… Would you uh… mind giving my brother and I some privacy?"
"Sure…" She gave Cal a once over before blowing a kiss and stepping out of the room.
"What the Hell was that?" Elaine asked. "Is that like your new girlfriend or something?"
"Who, Julia?" Cal let out a chuckle as he laid on his bed. "No!" He crossed his arms behind his head and got comfortable. "Christ, no. She's batshit crazy."
Elaine broke out in laughter. "Crazy tends to be your type."
"I know," Cal chuckled.
"So… not your girlfriend?"
"Nope, just an admirer," Cal smiled.
"An admirer?" Elaine walked over to her brother's bed and tapped his shoulder so he could move over. Cal gladly scooted over to make room for his sister. Elaine climbed on the bed. The two laid side by side looking up at the ceiling. "What does that even mean?"
"It means she fancies me, but I don't have feelings for her in the same sense."
"Oh…" Elaine turned her head and looked at her brother. "Probably for the best, you have shit taste in women."
"You're one to talk." Cal turned onto his side and looked at his sister. "I've seen your collection of Vanity Fair shoved in the corner of your closet. Charlotte Gainsbourg. Seriously, Elaine?"
Elaine let out a gasp. She turned onto her side, facing Cal. Cal's smile pulled at both corners of his lips as he got a rouse out of her.
"When were you ever in my room?" She shoved him backwards. Cal fell back against the wall.
"You used to snoop in my room all the time. If I remember correctly, you found my box of condoms and told mum on me. I had the worst talk of the birds and the bees with Alastair. The old coot didn't even know how to administer the talk. He instead sat me down in front of an old 80's after school special video and told me to take notes. At the end, he asked me what I learned. I was horrified, Ells."
Elaine let out a chuckle, "I remember that day," she grabbed onto her side and laid back onto her back.
"It's not funny, Ells…"
"Oh, but it is."
"Keep laughing. I'll make sure to tell Alastair that you're interested in women. If I remember correctly there was a girl on girl segment on the other side of that old VHS tape." That got her attention. Her laughter stopped immediately. She turned her head and looked at Cal with panic.
"Please, don't do that... Mum already kinda outed me on that. Uncle Al spent the next day trying to talk to me about women and it just… it was horrifying. I had to tell him I was into boys just so he would stop questioning me." Her body was overtaken with shivers.
"My my my… I wasn't aware of this much progress. So it's official? You're batting for the same team?"
"Don't say it like that." Elaine pulled the pillow out from under her head and buried her face under it. She let out a groan trying to hide.
"My baby sister, the lesbian." He laid on his back. His hands lifted up framing the words.
"Stop it, Cal!" She slapped her brother across the chest. Cal just laughed it off.
"There's nothing wrong with being gay you know that right? You have nothing to be ashamed about."
"I know… it's just…"
"No excuse," he interrupted her. "Mum and Alastair have never pushed us to think in such ways. We can love whoever we wish. There's nothing to be ashamed about. I'm sorry if it seems like I'm picking on you. I'm not." He lifted his arm up and wrapped it around Elaine. "It's sibling banter. I fully support you." Elaine leaned into her brother's side.
"Thank you… I know you're not picking on me. I appreciate the support, I really do… it's just… I don't think I'm fully ready to accept it. You know?"
"I get it." He leaned his head down and placed a kiss on the top of his sister's head. "I'm just letting you know I'm always here." He gave her body a little shake to get her attention. "Hey… You know this means we can check girls out together. That should be fun."
"Stoooop, Cal," Elaine whined. A laugh rumbled from her chest.
"Are you an arse or boob girl?" He asked.
"Stop!" She pulled away ready to crawl out of her skin. The two looked at each other with a smile on their face. And just like that, she realized why she had begged her uncle to let her come alone. It was the sibling bonding. It was the need to talk to her best friend and just let loose. She could tell he needed it as well. She had not seen him smile this much in a long time. Elaine softly punched her brother in the arm, "I missed this."
"I have as well..."
Cal's smile tightened almost as if it was forced now. Elaine could vaguely sense the mood slowly dropping, so she quickly laid back on the bedding and looked up at the ceiling. Her head leaned into her brother's shoulder, she smiled.
"I know you may not want to hear it, but I really enjoyed reading the contents of your notebook. I felt like I was there… I could almost picture the place… like it was pulled right from my memory." Cal stayed silent. He didn't know what to tell his sister. "I mean, I could actually get an idea of what this place looked like. It was so detailed. When did you become such a good writer?" Cal stopped Elaine from going any further with her conversation.
"So how are your classes?"
"My classes?" Eliane asked, confused.
"Yeah… I remember you saying you were struggling a little."
"Oh…" Elaine shrugged her shoulders. She sat up on her side and faced her brother. "I… it's good… I mean… I don't know." She shook her head. "Wait, what are you talking about? I've never had a hard time with my classes."
Cal let a smile spread across his face.
"I know. I'm just trying to pull anything that's lurking in the corners of your mind. Are you sure everything is alright?" Cal pulled himself up towards the headboard. He rested up against his pillows. "If I remember correctly, you were a little off the last time we spoke." He looked over her face, noticing how puffy her eyelids looked. She had been crying recently.
"The dream... You remember that?" She asked.
"Of course, I do. I might have been drugged out of my mind, but I remember. It seems your practicing has paid off."
"Uncle Al has been helping me," she said with a smile.
"Has he?"
"Yeah! He's been teaching me a lot of things lately. Dare I say I'm a witch now?" She shook her shoulders, bumping one end into her brother. The center of her mouth was fighting to prevent the corners from pulling up.
"A witch? Why on Earth would you want to be a witch?"
"Uncle Al is a witch -"
"Alastair is not a witch," Cal laughed. "He's a -"
"Stop," Eliane whined. "Don't take this from me. Don't point out all the smoke and mirrors. I finally found something I love… Please don't ruin the magic for me."
Cal had no intention of ruining anything for his sister. It was quite the opposite. He wanted to tell her the truth, but if she wanted to play witch, who was he to deny her. He nodded his head and let her go on believing she was mortal. It was probably better she didn't know about her growing powers. Cal beckoned his sister over, so she could lay against the bed frame with him. Elaine scooted over and laid her head on her brother's shoulder.
"I still can't believe you got Alastair to let you come here alone."
"Nor can I," she chuckled. "He really didn't put up a fight."
"Either I'm the problem that needs saving or you're just a good negotiator who gets what they want."
"I'm a good negotiator…" She smiled.
Cal leaned his head over, kissing the top of Elaine's head. He brought his arm around her shoulder, pulling her in close. He appreciated her tenacity. He appreciated her in general. When things were hard for him, it always seemed like she was there to pick up the pieces he dropped. They were each other's spark and flame. His ride or die companion in life. Cal pulled his sister closer, not wanting the moment to end. Elaine gently turned into his embrace and closed her eyes.
"I've missed you so much," she murmured.
"I know…"
"It's not fair."
"Nothing in this life is fair, lil' sis…"
"Don't say that." Elaine pulled away and looked up at her brother. "We manifest our desires. If you project it out into the world it'll come true."
Cal shook his head, "it doesn't work like that, Ells."
"Of course it does. Uncle Al has been teaching me. If I put all my focus on something and wish it into existence, the universe will send it my way. I… I think that's how I got your notebook. I always see you writing in it." She looked over towards his desk, recalling the times Cal would have his hand zipping across the pages, jotting down nonsense. She turned her head back to her brother not fully believing the words that were coming out of her mouth. "Am I going insane?"
"No," he shook his head. He turned in his spot so he was sitting on his knees. Cal reached his hand out and placed his palm on the side of her face, cupping her cheek. "You're not insane."
Cal's hand moved with her head nod. He let his eyes rack over his little sister. There was something going on that he couldn't put his finger on. It wasn't troubling, he wasn't worried. He had heard it all his life that his sister would be special. She was gifted. But at this moment he could sense it. Worried he was staring too long, he let a smile creep onto his face. He dropped his hand and plopped back onto the bed.
Elaine went ahead and laid opposite to her brother. His feet were by her head and her's were by his. She slipped off her boots and shoved her feet in Carl's face.
"Oh for the love of Lilith!" He pushed her feet away, "your feet reek! Oh!"
"No, they don't!"
"Yeah, they do." Cal picked his pillow off from under her feet so save them from her horrid stench.
"You big baby, no they…" Elaine pulled her leg up and ran her finger against the bottom of her sock. She brought her hands up to her nose and gave them a sniff. Her face immediately scrunched up from the sour smell. "Yeah… Okay. My bad. Time to get rid of those boots."
"Or change your socks," Cal chuckled. He turned his head and pushed her feet away from his face once more. "Aren't girls supposed to be more… I don't know, clean?"
"I was raised alongside you! Were you ever clean?"
Cal hummed. "Fair point." He picked his head up and looked at her clothing. "Wait… is that, is that my shirt?"
"It is."
"Elaine, are you stealing my shirts?"
"Borrowing… I'm also borrowing," she emphasized the words, "your jackets, pants, and room."
"My room?!" He lifted himself off the bedding and glared at her. "The in the… Ells."
"What?" She picked her head up and met Cal's gaze.
He crumbled under her puppy dog eyes. He shook his head letting it go.
"You're lucky I like you," he mumbled.
"You love me!" She picked herself up and jumped into his embrace. Her arms wrapped around her brother, pressing her head against his chest. "Uncle Al said I could come by every other day from now on. So… that means you'll be seeing a lot more of me."
"Oh, goody." The sarcasm was exaggerated, but playful. He wrapped his arms around his sister and smiled. He was excited to have her around more. Going from being in each other's face everyday to only seeing each other twice a week was hard. "I uh… I haven't asked." Elaine picked her head off of her brother's chest and looked up at him.
"What's up?"
"How's mum?"
The color drained from her face. It didn't go unnoticed by Cal. Elaine buried her face against Cal's chest once more. She didn't want to talk about it.
"Elaine?"
"Mum… She's having her harder days," she mumbled.
"Her memory is completely shot huh?" Elaine nodded her head.
"Do you think my manifestation can make her better?" She said with childlike optimism. Cal shook his head.
"I don't think it works like that, Ells."
"Why not?"
"You're not God…"
She picked her head off of Cal's chest and looked up at him. Her elbow was keeping her propped upwards.
"I read somewhere that we are the creators of our own universe. What if this is my universe and I control what happens in it?"
"Whoever said that is full of shit…" He sat up so he could have an honest conversation with his sister. "This isn't your universe, Ells. It's God's. I've seen the horrors and creations he's made. I've lived in his scrapyard of pain... You're not him. You wouldn't be this cold to your creations."
"At times it feels like I am… Not the cold part," she shook her head. "It feels like I'm God. Like this is my universe."
Cal watched as his sister looked down at her hands that rested in her lap. She was sad.
"You didn't cause all of this Elaine. Mum and I aren't like this because of you." At least, I don't think so. "Fate dealt us a crappy hand. We were already like this before you were born."
"At times… it…" She sighed. "It feels like I came into this world with a plan… I can't explain it."
Cal nudged his sister's shoulder trying to pull her from any further thoughts. The last thing he needed her finding out was how right she was.
"Alright, main character," he chuckled.
"Shut up!" She matched his laughter. She shoved him back into the wall.
"Ow!"
"I barely tapped you." Her tongue poked out.
"I barely tapped you," he mocked.
"Cal!"
"Cal!" He matched.
"Stop it."
"Stop it," he dropped his voice.
"I hate you."
"And I love you, stinker." Cal reached out and pulled his sister into his embrace. The two were wrestling each other on the bed when an older man walked into the room. Cal stopped his nuggie he was giving his sister and smiled up at his roommate. "Hey, Bob."
"Aw, the celestials," he replied with glee. He shuffled into the room making his way over to the siblings. "A fine morning, don't you think?"
"It's the evening, Bob."
"Is it?" He turned his head over to the window and frowned. "Ah! It is. Don't mind me, I just came by to get my slippers." His shuffling continued as he made his way across the room. Cal nudged his sister so she could see that Bob already had his slippers on him.
"Bob?" Elaine called out.
"Yes, Mistress?" He turned around slowly.
"I believe you already have your slipper on."
"I… Do I?" He looked down at his feet and smiled. "I do! Oh! Thank you, Mistress. I've been looking for them everywhere." He walked over and held his hand out. Elaine extended her hand and let the old man kiss the top. It was a regular routine for them. When he pulled away, he couldn't help but smile brighter. "May I say, Mistress, your wings are extra bright today."
"My wings?" Elaine asked. She turned to her brother confused. He shrugged his shoulders interested as well as to what Bob meant.
"Yes, yes! Bright white feathers." His hands danced around her body. He went to reach forward like he wanted to touch them, but then pulled back. "Apologies! They are just so beautiful."
"Oh… Thank you?"
"No, thank you!" He jumped with glee as he looked upon the pair. "God is good!" He wagged his index finger in the air. "God is good!" He bowed at the sibling. "God is good!" He backtracked out of the room, never letting his back meet them. "God is good!" Before he walked out the room, he pointed his index finger at Elaine. "All the time!" He clapped his hands together and left the room.
Elaine turned to her brother and giggled into his shoulder.
"Fuckin' nutta'. Please tell me I'm not like that when I have my episodes."
Elaine shook her head, assuring Cal he wasn't that bad.
"I find it hilarious to put a retired, dementia priest in the same room as you."
"Yeah well, it's not funny on my end. The amount of times he's tried to exorcise me is not hilarious. And let's not forget how flippant he is. He thinks I'm his altar boy now."
"I forgot he calls you that! What happened to demon boy?"
Cal shrugged, "I think he believes he exercised it all out of me. He's been nicer to me now."
"I could tell. I've never seen him so happy to see us. We got upgraded from spawn to celestials." She smiled. "I feel so holy."
Cal let out a groan, "don't say that."
"What, holy? I like it." Elaine's neck straightened out with pride. "He said I had wings. Beautiful one's at that."
"I'm sure if he got a whiff of your feet, he'd rethink his answer."
Elaine gasped. "Stop it! That was mean."
"How is that mean? It's a fact!"
"It's my boots. I can't control the smell!"
"Yes, you can!" He chuckled. "Put bloody foot powder inside."
Elaine picked up her feet and shoved them into his face. A gag was the immediate response.
"I'ma be sick…"
"Shut up!" Elaine whined.
She jumped on her brother trying to catch him in a headlock. Laughter could be heard from the outside. Passing orderlies stopped outside to see what all the ruckus was all about. When they noticed the two siblings having fun, they smiled and kept walking. It was rare to hear Cal in such a good mood, they left them alone and have their fun.
.
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The next chapter is already written! Are you surprised? I am as well, HA! I need a small break to catch up with my other stories. *cough* Devil In Your Soul! I know everyone's waiting for an update. Also, don't be too hard on me for delaying the conversation with Chloe and Lucifer. That will eventually come, but sadly not in the next chapter. I know, I know! I sound like a broken record. But this isn't a Deckerstar story, it's a Michaella one. We will get the conversation, just need to push out more content. It's coming! Hope you all enjoyed!