Author Note

I have heard from two of my most faithful readers that this chapter left them confused, feeling as if they missed something and asking for clarification. While this chapter builds towards something and is intentionally vague at points, I consider it a failing on my part if a reader feels lost about what is going on as opposed to curious towards what might be happening. (This is why real writers have editors, folks. That fresh pair of eyes brings a different perspective!)

Thus, I have taken the opportunity to revise this chapter to be just a bit clearer about the sequence of events happening in it. However, at its core the chapter is the same.

The same questions as before likely remain. I hope though that they will now be a cause of speculation instead.

Thank you all for supporting me and reading this story. It keeps me going at the worst of times!

Chapter 44j: Old Habits

As I walk back towards home on the sidewalk, I suddenly hear a honk. It startles me enough to the point where the gum I'm chewing nearly slips down my throat, but I recover quickly while moving to the side by instinct. A car shouldn't even need to go on the sidewalk that I am on, but better safe than sorry. With all the speeding you see on this road every day, it is a healthy habit to be paranoid. I don't think I'll be kicking that one any time soon.

It only dawns on me a few seconds later that it is Chris that is in the van. He is heading straight home from the job. "C'mere, lass." he calls out after cranking the window open, and I nod with a smile before crossing the road and getting into the passenger seat. "What are you doing here? Didn't you have some farm renovation project out in the boonies somewhere?" I inquire curiously after spending a few moments in that warm hug of his.

Sigh. As much as they betrayed Setty, I find it hard to take the hardliner stance that she has taken towards them. They are still mom and dad to me, and they mean well despite being stupid idiots where her brother is concerned.

His eyes meet mine as for a few moments, and I swear I can see something in them. "Shouldn't I be asking you that?" He responds as he presses the pedal down, and the van roars back to life and upto a decent speed.

Instantly, I feel my cheeks flush a little in shame; does he know?

"I know, young lady. You don't think I'm stupid, do you?"

Momentarily, I roll my eyes at that mind-reading of his. He sucks at it most of the time with his lack of tact, until he hits the bullseye that just changes conversations around instantly. It is as hateful as it is admirable.

"Look, I'm sorry. I know I said I wouldn't anymore, bu-"

"You broke your promise."

A groan escapes me, and I look back outside the window. Fuck. Locked in a metal box for a parental peptalk. He hit the bullseye alright.

"I'm sorry, okay?"

My words are but a weak offer of reconciliation, hoping he'll just take the bait and the awkward ride home can move to either silence or more pleasant territory.

"Given the fact the Jeffrey hasn't knocked on our door again, I'm going to hope that is the extent of your promise-breaking. Is it?"

But he knows, and doesn't relent. Dammit dad.

I nod in silence, opting to just keep chewing my gum. And the silence carries as he shakes his head while driving. He in fact is so annoyed that I notice he misses the turn into our neighborhood. Now we'll have to circle all the way around due to the one-way streets. Great. More time to spend with him in this metal box that smells like turpentine and acetone.

"I am very disappointed. What the _hell_ are you thinking?"

"You know as well as I do that it all sucks." I counter as I look back at him.

He reaches in his pocket and produces a tissue. "Just spit it out and drop the wise-ass attitude." he says as he holds it out, and I realize it isn't worth the confrontation. The gum was over its prime, anyways.

"But it is not a solution, now is it?"

His response makes me grimace. Of course I know that.

"It just lets me deal with my frustration. I can't do shit but sit on pins and needles together with her, you know?"

It is at this moment I realize I am being horribly defensive. Why am I so defensive about this? I'm not that ten-year-old picking pockets for the hell of it anymore!

He sighs, his hand extending and resting on my shoulder as he glances towards me for a few moments before putting his gaze back on the road before him.

"I know, love. But this is not the way you can be a responsible older sister to that girl, you know."

"I know."

My response is short and eclipsed with frustration. "I know." I repeat.

"I know that damn well. And she doesn't know. I've been careful. She won't come to know, either."

Hell, I don't need her judging me or even worse, emulating me. She's too cute for it, and I have a feeling that brother of hers might be really pissed off if she became the typical problem child that he and I are.

Hell, even Cain can be considered pretty innocent too, right? It was just a momentary lapse of anger that got him stuck in the system. Not like the lowlifes of society. Not like the ones that told me paying doesn't matter if they don't notice. Finders keepers. Losers weepers. Possession is nine-tenths of the law.

Right.

He sighs audibly, and my mind is drawn back to our conversation. I think he rambled a bit while my mind was on other things.

"Okay. You're sixteen now. You're not ten anymore, so I'm going to treat you like an adult. It needs to stop and you know it, but I think at this point, what I say won't really change what ends up happening when I am not around, right?"

He is looking at me. I'm staying silent.

"I thought so." He sighs audibly, shaking his head. "You stupid girl." he mutters under his breath before continuing. "I'll let your mom know, but let me be very clear: your little rebellion stays away from home. Be a good, caring sister to Setsuka, okay?"

My mind must have been wandering, looking at the muscled hunk on that motorcycle, so he slams his hand on the dash to startle me. He is successful, I startle and meet his eyes.

"Look at me. No bullshitting me.""

I nod, my eyes meeting his in as serious an expression as I can offer. "No bullshit."

We finally end up back in the neighborhood again, and soon pull into a parking spot near the house. As I open the door and prepare to leave this awkward atmosphere, he grabs my arm.

"You better apologize to mom after I've had a chance to talk to her. Understood?"

Once more, I nod before pulling my hand free.

I hate it when these control freaks are right.