“You don’t have to come with me if you don’t want to.” I said, sitting in the passenger seat of his car. I looked over at my brother, Zach. He wasn’t staring back, but staring out the front windshield to the white garage door that was in front of us. He never blinked his kyanite eyes petrified in thought. No muscle in his body moved.I took a deep breath, turning my head to look out the front windshield, “I know this is hard for you, Zach. I don’t even know if he’s in there.” He spoke softly, “If I see him…I‘ll…”“No. You won’t. I won’t let you.” I said, looking back to him.He looked at me, “We’re here for you, and anything else doesn’t matter. I promise you that.”I nodded in reply. I was scared by the situation I was about to put us in. I knew it was going to be awkward at first; with only one spark, I could ignite an inferno.“Ladies first,” he said. I knew he meant it was time to get out of the car.I smiled softly, “Just one thing…” I leaned toward him, signaling for him to kiss me. He smiled as I did, and kissed me. His warm lips tingled on my own. I didn’t want to stop, but I knew I had to pull away. I knew it wasn’t the time or place for this. I opened the car door and hopped out. My brother followed on the driver’s side. He wore a black t-shirt under a black leather jacket, black belt, tight stone-washed jeans and black shoes.He locked his black car, and we walked to the front door of the plain white colored house. Gray stones were along the edges of the cement path to the front door. I walked up to the door and rang the doorbell.I was nervous. I had no idea what was going to happen. I only knew that any sentence could cause age’s old drama and anger to explode. I could feel it in my chest as the anticipation grasped me.The door opened. There stood my mother. Her big brown eyes lit with excitement as she saw me. Her curly, deep brown hair fell just above her shoulders. Her body looked slightly different than I remember, her skin was darker Fikirtepe escort bayan and she was heavier. She must have been going through more emotional issues; she drowns her sorrows in comfort food. “Lydia! It’s so great to see you!” she said, giving me a hug.“Hi mom…” I said awkwardly. I haven’t seen her in a few months, and I didn’t know what to say. Though the most awkward of all was knowing Zach was right behind me. “Hi Zach.” she said, acknowledging him.My brother spoke softly, “Hi.”My mom looked back at me. “Come on in! Grandma and grandpa are here. But your aunts and uncles couldn’t make it, they say they’re sorry.” she said, pulling me into the house.“Oh, that’s ok.” I said. I saw my grandma Renee sitting on the cream colored, leather couch. Her pale white skin, wrinkled beyond repair. Her curly, light brown hair barely touched by a brush. Painted eyebrows sat above her deep brown eyes. Her body was frail, and weak. When she stood from the couch to walk to me, she appeared to be a corpse. She limped, walking at a snail-like pace that could ruin any impatient man’s day.“My God, it’s cold! Hi…how are you sweetheart?” my grandma said, giving me a big hug. Her Italian accent was noticeable within her voice.I hugged her back, “I’m good.”She smiled to me. “Dennis!” she yelled.“What?” I heard in the distance.“Lydia’s here, come say hello to her!” she yelled back.I waited a moment, and I saw my grandpa come into sight. His body was also frail, but a little bit stronger than my grandma’s. His pure white hair was slicked back. His brown eyes covered with clear glasses. His skin was wrinkled, but was normal in pigment. His big, fat nose filled with white hairs.He smiled at me, “Lydia! It’s so good to see you! How has my beautiful little girl been?” He wrapped his arms around my waist, holding me tightly against him. I could smell the cigarettes on his body. I felt uncomfortable.“I’m good…thanks.” Escort Sancaktepe I said, trying to be polite as possible. He let me go, holding my upper arms with his hands. He observed my face, as if he was looking for every detail.“Could you get any more beautiful?” he asked.“Um…” I started, but was interrupted by him.He smiled, “No, no. Not possible. You are at the peak of beauty.”I smiled as a way of saying thank you. I was really uncomfortable now; my grandpa was being extra nice to me. My first thought; it was an act. It was his way of expressing that he wasn’t the manipulating, dominant force in the family. Though I knew it was a complete sham. Ever since I could remember, it was his way or you got shunned.“Ok ok, it’s time for your gift.” my mom said tugging on my arm to follow her. I was about to follow her, but I remembered Zach. I looked back at him; he was standing outside in the cold, just beyond the door.“You can come in.” I said, trying to get him to follow me. I needed him to come with me. His presence would make this ordeal less awkward.“I’ll wait here.” my brother said.My grandpa spoke, “Then we shouldn’t let out all the hot air.” He grabbed the door knob and began to shut the door, impeding my view of Zach.I saw my brother’s hand smack the door, blocking it from being closed. He pushed it back open; I could see the look of hostility on his face.“You can go to hell.” my brother said to my grandpa. I raced to the door, standing between the two of them. “Hey…cool it…” I said, trying to get my brother to calm himself. I looked to my grandpa, “The door stays open.”“Fine.” my grandpa snarled, turning his head and walking back to the cream colored couch. My mom and grandma followed him. They all sat down.I looked back at Zach, his kyanite eyes reflecting the snow gorgeously. “Are you sure you want to stay out there?” I asked.“Yes, I’m fine. For now.” he said.I was instantly saddened. üsküdar escort I wanted his warmth near me. “Ok…” I whispered. I tried to smile at him, but I failed at it. I had no words. I only wanted to get this over with, to get my brother out of this situation. I returned to the three waiting for me. I took a seat on a chair. “Ok,” my mother said, then continued, “It isn’t big in size, but it’s big in value.” She pulled a small, flat, card-like object out of her pocket. It was wrapped in Christmas themed paper. This small object was the only reason I came here; to collect a Christmas gift. I didn’t spend Christmas with my mom’s side of the family. Now it’s early January and I’m still receiving a gift from Christmas. My mother handed it to me.I took off the wrapping paper. To my surprise it was a Visa gift card. “We didn’t know where you like to shop, so we put five hundred dollars on the card and thought you could go wherever you wanted.” my mom said.“Wow! Thank you, that’s so thoughtful.” I said. I was happy about the gift. But I was more sad than blissful. My brother lingered in my mind, and how he received nothing from this side of the family. I felt terrible and spoiled as I put the card into the pocket of my skinny jeans.My mom spoke, “I was thinking if you wanted to spend a couple days here, we could go shopping together.” I was immediately concerned for my own safety. I knew the guy that my mom remarried lived in this house. I loathed the thought of calling him my step-father. I’ve only seen him twice. But he gives me these glances, like he has something sinister in mind. Whenever I think about staying the night at my mom’s house, fear rushes through me. Because I always have a feeling that he would rape me. His name is Dave. “Oh…um,” I started, but was quickly silenced by my brother’s voice.“No.” I heard him say in the distance, his voice stern and forward.My mom looked to my brother “It’s her choice, Zachary.” she snapped at him.My brother entered the house, “I won’t allow it.” “Stop acting like your father.” my mom said.I looked at my brother, his eyes starting to burn with anger.My grandpa spoke, “Your dad’s a liar, Zach, and your mind is twisted and corrupt.” My grandpa stood up, slowly getting closer to where Zach was standing in the house.